Anton: That’s nice. You served together?
Star: We did. We play chess together. He always beats me.
Anton: The next time we meet, I shall teach you some tricks. Chess is my sport of choice.
Star: I’d like that. We could teach Kat? She doesn’t have much patience.
Anton: Yes, I should meet her.
Star: Troy says Lyra’s settling in, by the way.
Anton: She told me this too. You haven’t seen her?
Star: Not really. Been busy, plus Troy dances to the beat of her own drum.
Anton: Your daughter is well?
Star: She’s been having nightmares. Conor gave me a list of shrinks to look up but I’m wary about choosing one.
Anton: Why?
Star: I don’t trust them with her. I certainly don’t trust her past with them.
Anton: Understandable, I suppose. When I was a child, we didn’t have such things. That isn’t to say that the world isn’t a better place for having them, but perhaps you could talk to her? Get her to open up?
Star: I’m scared to make things worse.
Anton: Then don’t pressure her and, in a pinch, you have a list of someones you can call on if things do not turn out right.
Star: True. I could try, at least.
Anton: That is all any of us can do.
Star: Have you heard of Rachel Laker?
Anton: The attorney, of course.
Star: She and I and a few other women are starting a foundation.
Anton: I know. I saw the paperwork. Helped push it through.
Star: You and your ‘eyes.’ Now I know where I get it from.
Anton: You’re far more impressive. What you do, you do on your own. I have a collective working on my behalf.
Anton: It is good what you’re trying to do.
Star: I want to trust the department you’ve put together. I want to step back.
Anton: I’m surprised to hear this.
Star: I can’t let go entirely, but I can let go some. I need to live, Anton. I didn’t realize until Conor came and got me that what I was doing wasn’t living.
Anton: You’ve lost many years because of the Sparrows. I applaud you for making such a healthy decision for yourself.
Star: This way, I can help the people who matter—the victims. I was one of them.
Anton: You’ll never be one of them again.