21.   A decision on whether to indict the officers could come in the next two weeks, said a person close to the investigation.

22.   A person close to Artists Management Group said Ovitz had grown increasingly uncomfortable with his association with the company.

23.   A person close to Aventis confirmed the letter would be sent but said the company had no knowledge of any other cases of contamination besides the one at Garst.

24.   A person close to Boutros had some choicer words, but they were off the record.

25.   A person close to his family said Tuesday that he was physically and mentally exhausted by his interrogation.

26.   A person close to Microsoft said the company intended to add an array of other services, including full access to the millions of computers on the global Internet.

27.   A person close to Platinum said its bid for Global Crossing seemed to be imminent.

28.   A person close to Sunbeam, however, said that the goal in reaching an agreement was simply to remove Dunlap and Kersh from the board.

29.   A person close to the buyout firm said XO and McLeodUSA are considered long-term investments.

30.   A person close to the firm said that it was also interviewing candidates to fill the new post of chief executive.