“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
