Stakes

"That's right."

"Did you get a look at him?"

She thought about it. "No," she said finally, "I never did. In the house it was dark, and when he was chasing me, there was too much going on."

"I can imagine."

She took a breath. The next question had to be asked, even though she knew the answer. " Lee Bareun is dead. Isn't he?"

"Yes, Go Ara." He spread his hands and let them drop in his lap. "I'm sorry."

She nodded.

"I should have protected you better," he said softly. "I should have posted more than two men outside the house. But I didn't think the Reaper could find you there. And I assumed that, if he did, two men would be enough to stop him. I was wrong on both counts."

"I'm not blaming you. Detective. Nobody is."

He made a noncommittal sound. It was clear he was blaming himself.

"What about Jowon?" she asked. "And Mapo?"