I don't want to work hard on a book that is not going to be published in my lifetime. I want the money now! And, of course, I want to see the book published.

I rarely write Spenser: For Hire. The ABC series is based on characters created by me, and I serve on the program as a consultant. As we all know, a consultant's first responsibility is to deposit the check every week. After that, I read each script and make suggestions.

Their Spenser, Robert Urich, is big, graceful, good-looking and young (a runner-up in the Robert B. Parker look-alike contest).

It was like a member of the family. We loved the dog. There is nothing wrong on our part.

It's the first time we've ever done this, but we are endeavoring to provide more clear, comprehensive and instantaneous information for people who want to monitor the election returns.

I trusted them to find me a mortgage at a good rate. He told me that was the best rate. I took his word for it. But now I know I could have done better than that.

It's an investment in the community in terms of our tax base and in good-paying jobs for our citizens,

They have been over the last few years, compared to other competitors like Philips, slow to restructure. Now they're having to bite the bullet.

They needed to do it. If this restructuring is left to year three out of the three-year plan, I think the market is going to be unimpressed.

The trend in mergers and acquisitions has been much stronger than we anticipated, and I can't see any factor that will turn it down. This is very positive for stocks.