Cain stood up and walked to a window, saw Virtue sitting blindfolded inside the vehicle, then turned to Santiago and nodded. “Where’s the Angel?” he demanded.

“In orbit,” replied Silent Annie.

“Why did you bring her out here?” asked Santiago, more curious than annoyed.

“She landed a couple of hours ago, found Father William, and told him that she had a message for you from the Angel.” Silent Annie paused. “He figured that if she was telling the truth, you’d probably want to hear what it is.”

“And if she’s lying?” asked Cain.

“Then she’ll never leave Safe Harbor alive,” promised Silent Annie coldly.

“Why didn’t Father William bring her himself?” asked Santiago.

“He wants to be in town when the Angel lands,” answered Silent Annie.

“It’s a big planet,” said Cain. “What makes him think the Angel will land near the town? I wouldn’t.”

“You did,” replied Silent Annie.

“But I didn’t know Santiago was here,” Cain pointed out.

“He’ll land there because he’ll need Virtue to guide him to me, and she landed there,” said Santiago.

Cain considered the statement for a few seconds, then nodded. “You’re probably right,” he conceded.

“Well, let’s not keep our guest waiting,” said Santiago to Silent Annie. “Bring her in.”

Silent Annie went back outside and returned a moment later with Virtue MacKenzie. Her blindfold was removed, and she looked around the room, studying each of the three men confronting her.

“Hello, Cain,” she said at last.

Cain nodded a greeting but said nothing.

She looked at Jacinto. “You’re too young,” she said decisively and turned to Santiago. “It must be you.”

Santiago smiled and bowed. “At your service. Won’t you sit down?”

“Can I have a drink first?” she asked.

“Of course. What would you prefer?”

“Anything with alcohol.”

Santiago turned to Silent Annie. “Would you do the honors, please?”

She nodded and walked to the bar, while Santiago escorted Virtue to a chair.

“You’re a very courageous woman to come here by yourself,” said Santiago, sitting down opposite her.

“After you’ve traveled with the Angel, not much else can scare you,” she replied sincerely.

“Just a minute,” said Cain, walking over and taking her satchel from her.

“Hey!” she snapped, grabbing futilely at it. “What’s the idea?”

“You’re delivering a message,” said Cain, reaching in and withdrawing a small recording device, “not getting an interview.” He held the bag up to a light, examined it minutely, then returned it to her with his hand outstretched. “Where is it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Virtue.

“You’ve got to have a camera hidden somewhere. You can hand it over or I can strip you naked. There’s no third way.”

“I don’t have to put up with this!”

Cain turned to Jacinto. “Hold her,” he ordered.