“I’m sorry we didn’t stop them in San Diego. Or here, at least.”

Sarah was feeling more and more sorry for herself. “Have you gotten cleaned up from the ink yet?”

“Not yet,” he said. “We’ve tried several solvents, but, so far, no luck. I just sent Ruiz out for more.”

“Russell, I need somebody to rid me of these people. They’ve become vicious now, and dangerous—not only to my reputation and my business, but even to you. That ink trap could just as easily have been acid, or an explosive.”

“I’m sure he meant me to understand that. Any nonfatal attack is a warning.”

“We can’t go on this way,” she said. “If someone threatens your life, you’re justified in using any force to save yourself.”

“I’m not sure the authorities here would see it that way,” he said. She was assuming he’d just kill the Fargos for free. He had been planning to offer that option for a high price.

She said, “It doesn’t matter what the authorities want. There’s such a thing as natural rights.”

“I’m afraid that if you decided on an aggressive defense, I would have to charge an additional fee,” he said. “I have to pay Ruiz, and so on.” He waited for an answer.

When it came, she sounded distracted, distant. “Oh. Yes. I was thinking of you as an equal. But, of course, I had no right to do that. You’re someone who works for me and has to think about money. How does an extra five thousand sound?”

“I was thinking it would have to be ten,” he said.

“Oh, Russell. I’d hate to think you called to get me all upset about what they’d done to you so you could take advantage of my sympathy to raise your prices.”

“No, Miss Allersby,” he said. “I’d never do that. The figure is the minimum I’d actually need. I’ll have to get my color back so I don’t stand out, buy weapons for one-time use in a European country where they’re heavily controlled, pay to dispose of the bodies, find a quiet way out of Spain and back to the U.S., and compensate Ruiz.”

“All right, then. Ten.”

“Thank you,” he said.

“But you have to do it, not just promise it and take the money in advance.”

“We’re getting ahead of ourselves. I haven’t gotten rid of my blue face yet.”

“You may not know this, but cosmetic companies sell opaque makeup that’s designed to cover scars, birthmarks, and discolorations. If the blue doesn’t wash off, you can cover it up until your skin recovers on its own.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Do. When those horrible Fargo people disappear from my life, I’ll make you glad they did.” He heard the click as she hung up.