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“I saw it on Derek Dyers's wrist in Dopie’s Diner. On full display.”

The stranger’s lips purse. “Nulla poena, nullum crimen?*.”He gets to his feet and strides off at a clipped pace in his hand-tooled Oxfords.

Perplexed by the quote, I watch him go until Wynter calls out, “Victoria?”

Shaking off that bizarre encounter, I stand then rush across the road to rejoin them.

“What was that about?”

“Just testing a theory.”

“What kind of theory?”

“I won’t know until I know.”

Or if Dyers disappears…

Or…

“You being cryptic for the fun of it?”

“Of course.” I smile brightly at Jerry. “Let’s get you a new suit.”

* Latin: No crime, no punishment

FORTY-THREE

QUEEN VICTORIA

Maxim: Your guards will take you to the farmhouse tonight

Victoria: Why?

Maxim: Because I’ll be there, of course

Victoria: Ohhh, you remember I exist, do you?

Maxim: Pchelka, I haven’t forgotten.

Victoria: Obviously, you did. I scheduled a run with Shay. I don’t have time for you.

Maxim: Did that Alec boy roll over? Your guards said he nearly pissed himself.

Maxim: You impressed them

Victoria: Don’t compliment me after going silent for nearly two days

Maxim: I had work to do. You’ll be receiving a gift later

Victoria: Maybe I don’t want a gift

Maxim: You’ll want this one

Victoria:Why are you mad at me?

Maxim: I’m a busy man

Victoria: YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT