The rioters went crazy in the streets for the rest of the day, with the CRS riot police battling to control them while stores were broken into, vandalized, and looted, particularly on the Champs-Élysées. Cars were burned, buildings defaced, and monuments destroyed. It was upsetting to see even on TV, and Mike was shocked by the degree of violence. It seemed like an excuse for vandals and thieves to ravage the city, masquerading under the banner of a good cause. They sang “La Marseillaise” as they set fire to cars. It made Theo feel sick as she listened, it was a travesty. Nothing justified the wanton destruction of property and violence. They sat watching the news reports on TV and it was depressing to see.

Theo made lunch for everyone in the apartment. Both the housekeeper and maid were off, but three of the rotation of bodyguards were there, and Mike talked with them during lunch. Then Theo and Mike sat alone for a while at her kitchen table.

“So what do we tell people you do? That you’re a lawyer?” she asked him.

“That’s usually what I tell people. My sister knows, but that’s as far as it goes. I tell people when I deal with other law enforcement agencies in whatever country I’m working with on an assignment, but I don’t announce it at dinner parties.” He smiled at her.

“Is what you do dangerous?” She looked worried.

“Sometimes. Not as dangerous as it used to be. I spent a number of years in South America working undercover. That has a fairly high mortality rate. It’s why most agents don’t get married or have kids. It’s not a life you want to inflict on someone else. When you do undercover work, you can be gone for a year or two at a time, with no communication. It’s tough on families. There’s a number you can call to leave or receive messages, but sometimes you can’t even do that, if it puts an operation at risk. They pulled me out eventually, at the right time. What I do now is a lot tamer, and involves a lot more deskwork. But there’s always a certain degree of risk. That’s why I didn’t want to drag you into it. It’s not fair to you.”

“I don’t feel like I have a choice.” She looked at him with wide-open, innocent eyes. It touched him deeply. “I don’t know why or how, but we found each other, and I feel like I belong with you, in your life. I want to be here.”

“So do I,” he said. “But if you don’t want to be, I’d understand.”

“Is that why you never married?”