What you need to kill him. I must reach you before he does. —W.Y. “You’ll have to name another price,” I said. “I can’t give you the cure.” “But that is all I want.” He spread his hands, as if helpless to change his actions. I shook my head. “It’s not mine to give. Even if I agreed and signed a contract, there are other people who know about it. People who knew about it before you and already staked their claim.” “I’ll buy them out.” “The answer’s still no. If that’s all you’ll accept in payment, then I’ll be going. Thanks for your time.” I turned to leave. “Wait,” he said. “Wait. Even I can be . . . flexible. Offer me a price.” “I don’t have anything you would want.” “You don’t know that,” he said. “Try, Matilda.”
