Just one last problem, I said as I started to leave. I might believe you were telling me the truth if you werent his Highnesss first cousin. Keeping the old trigger finger limber and ready for action. I kept my aching flesh drenched in antibiotics and loaded with painkillers, and counted myself lucky. You had to give the girl credit, though. We give a complete stranger the opportunity to toy with that which we value most. Did you dream up the torn piece of uniform left in the guards hand in the prison? That was a good touch. The alley mouth opened out into a main street a few feet ahead and I saw two police cars tear by.