‘You know about this stuff, don’t you?’
‘I know they are real.Everyone in my country knows this.No denial, but much fear.Is different in this country.People need to pretend.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Real world needs your attention, not this.’
‘Danny, I’m scared that I don’t know what’s real anymore.Sometimes I think I knoweverything.Like I have the lay of the land, y’know?And then other times, I think back to two months ago and I can’t remember what the weather was like.’
Danya smells of lavender and rosemary that grow all around Mimi’s Tower.He spends time with her there now.He is becomingherbodyguard as well as Lachlan’s number two.
‘Trauma will do that.’
Lachlan looks at him.‘I can trust you, right?’
‘You can.’
‘Everything up until this moment, I can forgive.I don’t need to know it if you had an agenda before, but I need to know I can trust you now moving forward.’
‘Lachlan.I’m your friend.Yes, Sorrenko instructed us to keep Vasily safe, but he made clear underyourorders.I knew from the moment I saw you that you were a good man.’
‘Why does everybody keep saying that?’
‘Because it is true.’
‘I’m a disgusting human being,’ Lachlan says plainly, honestly.‘I’ve killed so many.I’m selfish and cold and—’
‘Trying to be better always,’ Danya cuts across swiftly, a little stern, reminds him of Blaire.‘Look, none of us know what good really is until we see evil.What isgoodin the face of fear?People can be good when everything is safe, but when danger looms and choices must be made, then we learn.You are a good man, but you need to sleep because we need you.Theyneed you.’
Lachlan stares ahead.It won’t sink in.
Strong boats don’t sink easily.
Only therottenones do.
‘Yeah.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Over the next month, Lachlan begins compiling research.
He picks up several new terms quickly enough, though he’s nowhere close to an expert.What he really needs is a scientist capable of reading this material and reducing it into something useful in under five sentences.He briefly considers asking Jolene for help before ultimately deciding against it, without examining too closely why.
Mimi turns six years old and feels the new age keenly.
She starts asking for clothes of her own choosing.She’s watching people closely and seems to be adapting the parts of their style she likes into something of her own.Whenever she asks for these new things, she’ll say, ‘I’m six now.I need them,’ expectantly.
Lachlan would give almost anything to take her out shopping.He has a feeling she’d simply combust with joy to go on a little shopping spree, but that’s not on the horizon, so he and Blaire bring the stores to her.A room in the East Wing is transformed into a clothing and toy store for Mimi, filled with all kinds, including ugly ones, so she can declare them thusly.
Danya suggests using fake money, but Lachlan thinks real money would be better.Mimi takes to the concept with sharp interest and critique.
‘Why do I need paper to get nice things?’she asks him.
‘Because that’s how the world works, babygirl.’
She narrows her eyes, head cocked suspiciously.‘Why?’
‘It just is.’
