“Not all of us are killers, Mr. Cain,” she replied. “It requires a certain primal instinct that not everyone possesses.”

“Does Santiago?”

“I don’t know for a fact that he has ever personally killed another human being.”

“Given the number of deaths that he’s decreed, that might be construed as cowardice in certain circles,” remarked Cain.

“I won’t dignify that remark with an answer,” Silent Annie said coldly.

“How did you find him?” asked Cain, declining to apologize for his comment.

“He makes it very easy, when he wants to be found.”

“I think I’d be willing to debate that,” he said wryly.

“Do you honestly think you could have found him if he hadn’t wanted you to?” she asked.

“Based on what you’ve told me, no,” he admitted.

“He makes the way more difficult for some than for others,” she continued.

“I’ll testify to that, at least,” said Cain.

“For Moonripple, it was perhaps easiest of all.”

“I thought you said she landed here by chance.”

“It was pure chance that she landed on Safe Harbor when she did,” explained Silent Annie. “But sooner or later she was bound to arrive.”

“Why?”

“Her parents worked for Santiago. The Democracy captured and killed them when she was only four years old.” She paused. “He couldn’t reach out for her then, because there was too great a chance that she was being watched. So he became her guardian angel. Wherever she went, whatever world she worked on, there was always someone watching over her, protecting her. Finally, when we were sure that the Democracy had given up on her, it was subtly suggested that her wanderings should take her in the direction of Safe Harbor. When she finally arrived, we waited to make absolutely sure she hadn’t been followed, and then she was told the truth.”

“By you?”

Silent Annie shook her head. “She doesn’t know I can speak.”

“By Santiago himself?” asked Cain.

“She’s never met him.” Silent Annie paused. “She’s a very sweet girl, but our battle isn’t hers. She’s already suffered enough casualties. The less she knows, the better.”

“Then why did Santiago endanger himself by letting her know anything at all?”

“He wanted her to stay on Safe Harbor, where he could better protect her should the need ever arise.”

“And if she wants to leave?” asked Cain.

“She’s free to go.”

“Even knowing that this is Santiago’s world?”

“Even so.”

Cain lowered his hand, lost in thought. Finally he looked up at Silent Annie.

“I’d like to meet him,” he said.

“You shall.”

“I’m also aware that this could be a trap.”

“Why would we use such an elaborate one?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But if you’ve been lying to me, he’s a dead man.”