Chapter 31

The inscrutable expression on his face did not change; he did not raise his voice. He didn’t have to, he could sense my discontent with complete clarity. And then, he asked that other question, the one I knew would come eventually:

“What should I do with her?”

“Nothing. She won’t talk,” I managed to say, when I was able to articulate.

“What makes you so sure? Ordinary people are not trustworthy. The second she realizes she can blackmail you—”

“I have paid her. She will keep her mouth shut,” I said, with determination. “She’s seen what we’re capable of; I guarantee she’ll think twice before betraying us. She’s just a poor, lonely woman, she’s no threat to anyone.”

“She has access to the press.”

I snapped involuntarily. The wound on my cheek began to bleed into my mouth; the sudden movement had loosened several stitches and the pain paralyzed half of my face.

It hurt me, it hurt me intensely to have to say those things that way. But what other