‘Well, yes, part of it, and that’s why I say it!’

‘Really?’ Albert felt a burn of curiosity, his head jerking up of its own volition. He looked round and saw Colby shifting to look at her as well, the interest alive in his eyes.

June stared at them both, looking at her eagerly. ‘Look, this isn’t the time … and—’

‘Look, you might as well tell us,’ said Albert, ‘if only to back up everything else you’ve been saying. Because I distinctly remember you telling me you didn’t know.’

‘Are you saying you doubt my word?’

‘All I’m saying is you told me you didn’t know and now you say you do.’

‘When we had to try Marcus, Father told us all about him, so we would have perspective, he said. And to tell the truth, I wish I hadn’t heard it, because it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever heard.’

Four eyes were trained on her, unblinking. Nobody said anything, but that was because the eyes said enough.

She looked at them. ‘Fine. Maybe then at least you’ll understand how foolish you’re being to invest all this time and energy in a man like him, because he’s incapable of redeeming trust. And I don’t blame him.’

‘Will you stop saying that and get to—’

‘There’s a reason I’m saying it, all right? I told you, Father told me about his life, and it was horrible, really horrible. Do you remember what it was you used to think about when you were eight?’

‘I’m actually supposed to answer?’

‘No! But I’m sure it was questions like what’s the Dome made of, and what are the stars and stuff like that. Close?’

‘Well, yes, but—’

‘You know what Marcus was thinking about when he was eight?’

‘I’m guessing it wasn’t stars.’

‘No. I doubt he’d ever even seen a star.’

‘So what did little Marcus have on his mind, then?’

‘Killing.’

Albert stared at her and his eyes narrowed. ‘Huh? What do you mean—killing? That’s ridiculous! How could an eight-year-old kill anyone? Or anything?’

‘He could do it, because he was trained to do it, from the time he was old enough to walk.’

‘What? That’s ridiculous! Who would train a child for something like that?’

‘His parents.’

Now it was his turn to look ashen. Next to him, Colby was standing wide-eyed. ‘His parents?’

‘Yes. His father was apparently some sort of crack combat specialist for the military before he became an addict and ran away with his wife—’

‘Military? What are you talking about? The only military outside these tunnels is up in the City, and that’s never had people! And what was he running from?’

Colby turned to look at him wonderingly, half shaking his head.