As the Vanakh’s arrival neared, his father drew more and more into his work. To make up for Kasinda’s absence, Alex plunged himself more deeply into his lessons. Sometimes he played computer games with his mother, but every time she commented on how distracted he seemed he got upset and left the house to go on a long solitary walk.
The night before the Vanakh was to arrive, he could take the pressure no longer. He called Kasinda and demanded to talk to her.
“You win,” he said. “I’ll come along and help you on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“That if things start going wrong with your plans, we cancel the stunt at once. One mistake probably won’t do too much damage, but if we get close and then panic, the mistakes could compound and cause serious trouble. At least if I’m along, I can kee
