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He nodded firmly “It is I can’t remember the last time I talked to anyone like this, if ever I don’t think about e one, considering where I wound up in life Yours is quite believable — you were shown the value of hard work, dedication, and love through your whole life, and it helped to shape you into the person you are today Not so, with h phases, and I suppose this is the one the spinning wheel landed on Vagrant, pilot, politician, billionaire,to realize why I was blessed with the good fortune I’ve had all this time Maybe it was for this moment You’ve made a difference in my life, more than you know”

Alad, and you’ve made a difference in mine, as well”

Fro sound could be heard within the shaded grove Quint stood quickly, pulling Amara up with him They turned and faced the direction the sound came from

Quint clutched the bag he carried,out fro the trees

Frederik’s voice preceded his appearance “This talk is beginning to borelove is, I must interrupt”

Frederik stepped out into the pale hts, clad in a tri undershirt, doubtless to keep his presence hidden in the darkness

He crooned, “The h in the sky, the festival winds down, and we come to the end of the road to settle up”

Chapter Thirty Two

QUINT STRAIGHTENED UP AND BACKED away, holding Amara’s hand as they retreated in response to Frederik’s approach

“How long have you been there?” Quint asked

“Long enough to kno pitifully pedestrian your life — no, lives — are I wonder if you can understand theof family, even as you try to form one You,” he said as he pointed toward Quint, “are insolent, ungrateful, flighty Amara told me about you, you know I should have connected the dots much sooner than I did But this will be spoken on later For now, you and I have some business to attend to, do we not? It is e’re here, no?”

Frederik squared up with Amara and Quint, the city spread out behind hi his s face His appearance was less disheveled than the last time A about his eyes, the way they twitched and darted about … it was unnerving

With a wide gesture around the area and back toward the unpaved rinned “Do you like my venue choice? Not many come here anyway, but with the festivities in the city, there’s no chance we’ll be interrupted”

“It’s as good as any Let’s ,” Quint said

“Fine The bag” Frederik pointed to thetucked under Quint’s arm “Toss it over Slowly You would do well not to provokethe unmistakable shape and shine of a silvery pistol tucked in his belt