章 83: Chapter 83: An arrangement is made

He would rather not talk of Noel but Marion didn't deserve to be told to mind her own business. 'I knew her; in fact at the time I was staying with her.' He saw her start and unaccountably, embarrassment warmed him. 'She was involved with Hall. I thought there might be a connection.'

'So you were using her too.'

Uncomfortably he said, 'I suppose I was.'

'You're a real bastard, aren't you.'

He accepted it. 'At the time the means seemed justified.'

Both finely feathered eyebrows crept up. 'And now?'

'Now I can afford to feel guilty.'

'Because things worked out?'

'Yes.'

The eyebrows stayed suspended. 'What do you feel guilty about?'

He clasped his fingers between his knees. 'Lying to you.'

Her eyebrows slowly returned to normal latitudes. 'Is that all?'

'No.'

'Nicholas Donaldson?' She meant his death.

'No.'

She was going to put the whole list before him. 'His family?'

'I'm sorry it was me that caused their hurt. But if it hadn't been me it would have been someone else.'