Page 70 of Empress of Savages

“Oh,” Bruno says, “that doesn’t sound very nice. Does that sound nice, Donna Fortuna? We ‘tracked him down,’ he says.”

“No, Bruno. I hate to say it, but that doesn’t sound friendly at all.” I look in the doctor’s eyes. “All we wanted was to come and join you for your late lunch.”

“Or early dinner,” Bruno adds.

I take a king prawn. “And to have a little chat. To see if you might introduce us to your new friends. That’s all.”

“Come on. Please. I can’t do that. Not that. Something else. Please.”

“See?” Bruno says, “He really doesn’t care much about the family at all.”

The doctor tenses up again, “Look, I did all that you asked.”

I nod. “He did. It’s true.” I say to Bruno, “Except for ratting us out. Did you ask him to rat on us?”

Bruno’s bottom lip juts as he shakes his head. “I think I would remember if I had. You’re sure you didn’t ask him to do that, are you?”

The doctor’s face is coloring up and darkening. “They were going to kill me.”

“Oh!” I say, raising my chin, “Like that, was it?”

“Well, now you have to understand.” Bruno snaps his finger and says, “I understand. That’s it. Don’t you understand?”

“I do.” I nod and smile. “It’s kind of sweet, don’t you think?”

The doctor’s eyes widen. The edges of a smile flicker on his face.

Bruno says, “It’s very charming. Really.”

I nod. “I’m touched.”

The doctor looks baffled. “Wait… What?”

“Sentimental, isn’t it?” Bruno says.

“What?” the doctor is agitated again. “What are you talking about?”

I say, “It’s nice that you didn’t want them to kill you.”

Bruno smiles as he nods, “Just because you’d rather have us do it.”

“Wait… NO!”

I shake my head, “Shame about the family, though.”

Bruno says, “Yeah, I’m surprised about that.”

“Me, too.” I take the last piece of seared tuna. “This place is great. The tuna is so nicely seasoned.”

With his fists balled, the doctor says, “If I do what you want, they’ll kill me.”

Bruno smiles and shakes his head. “See?”

Still chewing, I nod and let out an, “Awww.”

Bruno smiles. “Hestillwants us to kill him.”

I ask him, “Two kids, isn’t it?”

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