21
Howell sat beside Paix. "I hope you're well."
Briscola's face was white, his eyes wide with fear.
"As well as can be expected," Paix said, hoping his voice wasn't shaking as badly as it sounded. "And you?"
"I'm not here to kill you," Howell said. "To be perfectly honest, I'm surprised to see you in Spadros quadrant at all. But I did always say you had more courage than the whole lot of them."
"That's very kind."
"Of course, now I'm beginning to wonder if it's that you're the stupidest man alive. Did you really do what they claim?"
Paix grimaced, his eyes flickering towards Briscola. "I'd really rather not speak of it here."
Howell leaned back. "Very well. But just so you know, our next talk may not be so pleasant if we meet in Spadros quadrant."
"I understand."
Howell rose.
