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16: The Devil's Assistant

last update publish date: 2026-05-24 09:46:41

His door was open, as it almost always was, and the amber light from the desk lamp was making the room feel smaller and more private than it did in daylight. He was at his desk going through something on his tablet. He looked up when I appeared in the doorway with the complete absence of surprise that told me he'd been expecting this particular visit at approximately this particular time.

"You left me a note," I said.

"I did."

"Instead of knocking."

"You hadn't invited me to knock." He held my
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