against Marcum-Lauries.
I'm just sick thinking about it. The Laurians don't stand a chance.
And they're good people." As he glanced at her briefly she saw
something in his eyes that she had not expected. He looked away.
"Hello, Johnny," he said absently. Without being asked, the boy ran
into the back to get him some water.

"Sit down, Morgan. Don't worry about me, I'm all right. I'm even
grateful for the extra day. I'm finally clear in my own mind."

"You know you don't have to do this."

"Yes. But I want to, Morgan." She handed him the cup and sat down.
"Only. . .I can't do it by hating them. I've tried. I tried
remembering my husband's death, but that only made me feel a terrible
loss, not hatred. So I tried thinking about what they had done to
Lawrence. Sometimes I think all he ever wanted was to live out his
remaining years in peace. But he couldn't. They had taken even that
away from him. He was no soldier, any more than Eric was. War was the
last thing either wanted, and it killed them both---my husband quickly,
and Lawrence slowly, from the inside. He tried to be hard and cold,
but his faith in life had been shaken too deeply. Do you know what I'm
saying?"

"Yes, though I think there was more to it than that."

"Maybe. I'm just trying to tell you how I feel."

Their eyes met. "Go on."

"I'm going to try to kill him, because I know something must be done.
But it's not in my nature to be vindictive. I'll be as passive and
yielding as I can, and then just do it."

Morgan took a deep breath. "You know there's the danger of being found
out, or of being killed afterwards?"

"Yes. And I'm not just saying that."

... "Well. I admire your courage. And I'll do everything I can to
protect you." He took a long, slow draught from the cup. "One thing,
anyway. I won't have to be a part of their cancer anymore. I won't
have to keep silent." He lowered his head in exhaustion. "Have you
got anything stronger?"

"Yes. Lawrence kept some whiskey." She rose to get it.

They talked together far into the night. Then he said goodbye, and
made his way stealthily back to the high-security apartment complex,
and by a way known only to himself, entered the wide bedroom. The next
night he returned with a dental surgeon, who implanted a small capsule
filled with poison onto the bottom of her tongue, and sharpened to a
cutting edge the canine tooth on the corresponding side of her mouth.
T