�I realize, gentle cousin, that you empathize with my plight. That being the case, doesn�t it follow that, in situations of strife, experiencing moral and personal entropy, one should confront his demons and dispatch them with alacrity?�

�Do you love her, Thomas Aquinas?�

�What is there to hate in someone who not only confronts his demons, but reaches out and grapples with them? Wrestles them into submission?�

�Do you love her, Gabriel?�

�Because facing demons squarely on is the only way to prevail.�

�Okay, since you�ve developed situational deafness on that subject, how about this: do you have the audacity to think you deserve her love?� Claire�s emerald eyes blazed at Harry, and he squinted and flinched, as if fearing their flames would ignite his whiskey-laden breath.

�No,� he said finally. Supporting himself against the wall, he coughed to clear his throat and sniffled. His eyes had resumed their odd leaking behavior. Residual effect of the beating he took at the wharf. Harry angrily pushed the moisture off his cheeks with his palm, and then staggered down the hall.

Claire followed Harry down the hallway and put her arm around his shoulders. He shook her off. �Don�t think she�ll go for you,� he snarled at Claire. �You�re not her type, either.�

�C�mon. Let�s go,� Claire grabbed Denby�s arm and dragged him roughly toward the elevator. He didn�t resist.

Claire looked over her shoulder at Danny�s door. She saw it close, and heard it click.

�Thanks a lot, big mouth,� she said at Harry, grabbing his arm tighter, extracting a well-deserved yelp of pain.