It was hours before The Man returned. Perhaps as much as a whole day had passed. He looked uncomfortable as he approached Michael.
“So, Michael. Checkmate.”
Michael, who had been doing his now regular series of exercises, stood panting by his bed. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his forearm.
“Checkmate?”
“After yesterday’s strange turn of events I had thought about having you eliminated immediately. In fact, I called a couple of Black Guards to my office.”
Michael swallowed nervously. “Oh.”
The Man shook his head and started pacing in and out of the light. “I couldn’t do it. I sent them away.”
It was obvious this confession was difficult for The Man. He’d barely made eye contact with Michael.
“Why?” Michael enquired.
The Man stopped pacing. He looked at Michael,
