"Lake Baikal?" I was trying to get my wits about me. "That's the place with the freshwater seals?" As I would soon know all too well.
"Among other things. A property there has recently come into my possession and it would be perfect for you. You can get some peace and quiet there and write."
James chose not to reveal at that point that he thought a man would one day come walking along the lakeshore with the express purpose of killing me.
That first time James called me at Gill's, I hung up on him and went back to drinking. And the next night. And the night after that. It was not until the night after I got into a fight in the parking lot over something so stupid I can't remember what it was and had my nose broken that I realized that I needed to say "yes" or I was going to find my way t
