"But Retch tried to kill you."
"I know—"
"And he'll try it again. There's something here that's driving him crazy. I don't know what it is but he knows. If you turn him loose—I would just as soon turn loose a rattlesnake, Johnny Retch."
Parker's words were hard, blunt, forceful. But for all the effect they had on the old priest, he might as well not have spoken them. Rozeno smiled. "I do not think Retch or Gotch will ever harm us. They have no means to harm us." He made a gesture with his hands, spoke a single word, "Go!"
Retch and Gotch went quickly from the room, like men who were very glad to go.
"I hope you know what you are doing," Parker said, saw that Rozeno was not looking at him. The old priest was watching Mercedes.
"You may stay here, with us," Rozeno added.
Mercedes' face mirrored gratitude. "Thank you."
Rozeno turned his attention to Parker. "You are new to our island, are you not, my son?"
"Yes."