Chapter 143

“Am I supposed to be grateful for that? I’m not a pet, you know, and I’m not one of your mother’s lost causes.”

“My mother’s causes aren’t lost, Mark. And she happens to like you very much. So do my uncles.”

He looked taken aback by that, and once again it struck me how very alone he was.

But he quickly rallied. “Yeah, well, Novotny doesn’t.”

“Will you forget about Gregor? The two of you enjoy sniping at each other, and don’t bother to deny it. I’ve been in the room when both of you go at it, and I’ve been with you when the other wasn’t there. You have a healthy respect for Gregor, and he—”

“Hates my guts.”

“Why am I even discussing this with you?” I knelt there with my hands on my hips and frowned at him.

“Beats hell out of me. I didn’t ask you to come along.”

“And we’re back to that.”

“Look, Mann, I did what you wanted, didn’t I?” Was there desperation in his voice?

“Yes, but—”

“Then I guess that’s it.”