Though initially shocked by Lawrence’s revelation, he soon calmed himself and began to think the situation through. He uttered not so much as a single word of blame for Holo, who’d been captured, or Lawrence, who’d made his escape. He was entirely focused on protecting the interests of the Milone Company and extracting any available profit from the situation. “There’s no doubting the threat implied by this letter. They wish you, Mr. Lawrence, to know that if you don’t want your partner given up to the Church you must stay inside and not interfere.” “They must want us to keep out of their way until their plan for the trenni silver is concluded, but that doesn’t mean they won’t still turn Holo in when they’re through.” “Quite right. Furthermore, we’ve already invested quite heavily in the coin. Pulling out now means our losses would be huge because the trenni is guaranteed to depreciate.” In such a situation, there was essentially no choice at all. They could sit and await ruin, or they could strike.
