“To convince us of your dedication and sincerity to Cavesword.”

“What’s that?”

“You kill yourself, Paul.”

There was a long silence. I pressed the buzzer and my secretary came in. Without a word, Paul left.

Immediately afterwards, I took the private elevator to Cave’s penthouse. Two guards stopped me while I was announced by a third. After a short delay, I was admitted to Cave’s study, but not to Cave; instead, Iris received me.

“I know what’s happening,” I said. “Where is he?”

“Obviously you do.” Her voice was cold. She did not ask me to sit down. Awkwardly, I faced her at the room’s center.

“We must stop him.”

“John? Stop him from what?”

“Doing what Paul wants him to do.”