The Widow Esponito bowed in return.
"I understand, Politician Shawn."
Even with her face scarred by tears she looked lovely. From the earliest years of their marriage, her husband had been high in the Civil Service and able to buy her beauty treatments.
"Mylady," Sordman said, "I need your help for two things. We want to know who you think wanted to kill your husband. And we need your want."
"Our want?" her son asked. He stood rigidly beside his mother's chair. His clothes were rich and formal tweed.
"Do you want to find the killer?"
The boy nodded soberly. "The moment I heard of his murder, I promised to avenge him."
"John!" His mother trembled. "You were raised to be a Christian!"
Sordman said, "I want to locate the image I think was used to kill him. For that I want to hook your strong desires into my thoughts. You won't know I'm doing it. But if you're near me, I'll use your emotions."
"Your husband was a very important man," Lee said. "Would anyone gain by his death?"