“A realist,” said Santiago. “If you kill me, you’ll do it in such a way that you live to spend the reward.” He paused. “Can I offer you some brandy?”

Cain nodded, and Santiago walked over to the bar and poured out a glass while the bounty hunter studied him.

“Here you are,” said Santiago, approaching him and handing him the brandy.

“You’re too young,” said Cain.

“Cosmetic surgery,” replied Santiago with a smile. “I told you I was a vain man.”

“You’re also a wanted man.”

“Only by the Democracy,” said Santiago. “Let me suggest that sometimes it’s not a bad idea to judge a man by his enemies.”

“In your case it’s an absolute necessity,” said Cain sardonically. “I’ve met your friends.”

Santiago shrugged. “One works with what’s at hand. If I could have enlisted better allies than Poor Yorick and Altair of Altair and the others, I assure you I would have.” He paused. “In fact, that’s why you’re here.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“We’re very much alike, Sebastian. We hold the same values, we fight against the same oppression, we even subscribe to the same methodology. I very much want you on my side.”

“I’ve retired from the revolution business,” said Cain.

“You fought for the wrong causes.”

“The causes were right,” said Cain. “The men were wrong.”

“I stand corrected.”

“What makes you any better than they were?”

Santiago stared at him for a moment.

“I have a proposal,” he announced at last. “You’ve had a long, hard day, Sebastian. You’ve killed a man, you’ve seen things that no member of the Democracy has ever seen, and you’ve finally come face to face with the most wanted man in the galaxy. You must be hot and tired and hungry.” He paused. “Let’s declare a truce for tonight. We’ll have dinner, we’ll get to know each other a little better, and tomorrow morning, when you’re feeling rested, I promise that we’ll talk business—mine and yours.”

Cain stared at him impassively, then nodded. “I think I’ll skip dinner, though.” he said.

“You’ve only had one sandwich all day.”

“You’re very well informed,” remarked Cain.

“And you’re worrying needlessly,” said Santiago. “I’ve had numerous opportunities to kill you since you landed on Safe Harbor. I didn’t permit you to come all this way just to poison you.”

“Makes sense.” admitted Cain.

Santiago led him into the dining room, which was as cluttered with books as the living room.

“I trust you’ll be a little easier on my pantry than Father William,” said Santiago. He shook his head wonderingly. “The way that man eats, I don’t know why he isn’t dead by now.”

“A lot of people are wondering the same thing about you,” said Cain, seating himself across from Santiago.