hogany table, long enough to seat

dressed in a charcoal suit now, crisp and i

He was reading a newspaper, a cup o

" he

osite end of the table, five meters away. T

heavy, pure sterling silver. It

rt, round man in a chef's uniform bustled out pus

ed nervously. He placed

iver, seared, sitting in a pool of dark re

nd metallic. Her stomach, already churning fr

ate. She saw the pin

t pick up

lowered the newspaper. The rustle of

ked. His voice carried effo

rk, her hand trembling. She tried to cut a piece, bu

the newspaper

," he said. "And I do

chef. Pierre was wringin

Pierre? Food that makes my wife l

ond, it is the finest grade,

. He didn't raise his v

fired. G

please. My mortgage... my d

guards materialized from the shadows of th

they dragged him backw

She reached out a hand, her mouth opening to protest. She co

d at her. His

t d

ne f

"the trust that pays for your Aunt Meredith's care will find

Collective punishment. It

looked at the foie gras. She thought of Au

and fork. She cut a larg

oating her tongue in warm grease. She chewed onc

n resting on his hand. He lo

e: Your actions have costs.

and buttoned

ll be back this evening to i

ut without

from her chair. She ran to the nearest decorative