Terri stared at him. "You don't seem to understand. You're going to die."
"Oh yes," said the old man, nodding his head indulgently. "I'll die. But I'm an old man. I'd die anyway in a year or so—maybe in a day or so. But for you—for a young man like you—the up and coming young governmental with everything to lose—" he leered slyly at Terri. "Your death won't be so easy for you to take."
"I die?" echoed Terri, stupefied. "But I'm not going to die. They're coming to rescue me."
"Oh, are they?" said the old man, ironically.
"Of course!" said Terri. "Of course, why shouldn't they?"
The old man winked one faded eye portentously.
"Fine young man," he said. "Up and coming young man. Brilliant. Never a thought for the people he trampled on the way up the ladder. Dear me, no."
"What do you mean?" said Terri.
The old eyes, looking up suddenly, pierced him.
"Do you remember Kilaren?"