Julian began saying that we could talk, that he would pay for whatever she needed, that this had gone too far.

I could not hear every word.

I did not need to.

I had spent years watching him make offers in which the price was never the money.

Behind him, Victoria spoke rapidly to an officer.

Her hair was carefully arranged.

She looked older than I remembered, and for a moment I felt the uncomfortable recognition that she was frightened.

It did not change what Hannah had said.