Cain shook his head vigorously. “He’ll have to go into the Democracy to collect it—and they won’t give a damn if he’s the Angel or God Himself. They’re going to want proof.”

“How soon does he need an answer?” Santiago asked Virtue.

“I’m supposed to contact him tonight and let him know your decision,” she replied.

“And if I decide against meeting with him?”

She shrugged. “Then I suppose he’ll come out here and kill you.”

“What do you get out of all this?” asked Jacinto.

“I’m a journalist. I get a story.” She turned to Santiago. “Perhaps you’d like to give me an interview right now?” she suggested.

Santiago chuckled. “I admire your dedication.”

“Then you’ll do it?” she persisted.

He shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

“If you’ll give me an interview, I’ll tell the Angel you’re not here.”

“She’s lying,” said Cain.

“The hell I am!” snapped Virtue irately.

Cain turned to her. “Come on,” he said. “You tell him that, and the second the interview appears, he’ll come after you and hunt you down.”

“He’ll never find me.”

“If he could find Santiago, he can find a journalist who’ll be making the most of her publicity.”

“I’ll take my chances,” replied Virtue.

“No you won’t. You’ll take your interview, and then you’ll tell the Angel everything you saw and heard.”

Santiago cleared his throat.

“I’m going to take a little walk,” he announced, “and consider the Angel’s proposition. I’ll give you my answer when I return.”

“I’ll go with you,” said Silent Annie.

He shook his head. “I’d rather go alone. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He walked out the door.

“Where is he going?” asked Gain.

“Down to the dell,” answered Jacinto. “He always goes there when he wants to think.”

“What the hell is there to think about?” said Cain, puzzled. “He can’t actually be considering going through with this!”

Jacinto shrugged. “Who knows?”

Cain walked over to Virtue, grabbed her by the wrist, and yanked her to her feet.

“Come on,” he said.

“Where are you taking her?” demanded Jacinto.

“Out to the veranda,” said Cain. “I want to talk to her.”

“You can talk to her right here.”

“Alone,” said Cain.

Jacinto stared at Cain for a moment, then nodded his head.

Cain led Virtue through the dining room and out onto the veranda, then commanded the door to close behind him.

“I can’t believe it!” she said, her face flushed with excitement. “I’ve finally found him!”

“And now you’re going to kill him,” said Cain.

“I’m not killing anyone,” she said. “I’m just a journalist.” She look at him sharply. “But while we’re on the subject, how come you haven’t killed him?”

“The situation has changed,” said Cain. “I’ve joined him.”