It takes a surprising amount of courage to place one's hand into an unseen area when your mind is thinking about vermin.

I am left with the conviction that an avalanche would be easier to dissuade than that man.

I stare at him coldly. "I do not care for needlework." I pause. "Unless it involves the base of the skull.

It is this kindness of his that unsettles me most. I can dodge a blow or block a knife. I am impervious to poison and know a dozen ways to escape a chokehold or garrote wire. But kindness? I do not know how to defend against that.

I comfort myself with the knowledge that if Duval ever feels smothered by me, it will be because I am holding a pillow over his face.

I have found it is surprisingly difficult to remain sad when a cat is doing its level best to sandpaper one's cheeks.