Chapter 19
––––––––
“Hold on a minute, Gavin,” said Kohl. I stopped, and turned halfway back.
“Don’t be offended. You once considered me your only friend, and I have always enjoyed these talks of ours. In my own distrust, in my determination not to be betrayed by saboteurs, perhaps I doubt you too much. But it is not my intention to deliberately offend you.”
When he escaped from Hennington, Vitalius murdered his own dog and left me a note in the dead thing’s mouth. His elegant manner was a façade, fitting his persona of philosopher king. I didn’t have much choice but to play along.
“I’m not offended,” I said. “Just tired.”
“Well, humor me anyway. We’re drinking wine, so it only seems right that we should discuss something interesting.”
I sat back down, let him refill my wine glass,
