“I don’t tell white lies,” Dumas assured.  “I only lie when it's important.”<br/><br/>Part of him wanted to linger and spend more time with Mari.  But since he’d successfully completed his mission, Dumas thought it might be wiser to make a strategic retreat before he messed things up again.  “Well, I better let you get back to your stuff.  Take it easy on that leg.  And have a great night!”<br/><br/>Smiling, Dumas stuck up his thumb, imitating the gesture that Mari always performed for his cameras.  Then he winked at her.  Dumas felt rather proud of the wink -- it struck him as the sort of thing Chester would do, playful and a little mysterious.  Perhaps it would even leave Mari wanting more, the way that Chester always left his audience wanting more.  On that hopeful note, Dumas made his exit.<br/><br/>Back in his office, Dumas threw himself down in his chair.  He felt like he’d just run a ten mile marathon.  But in addition to the sweaty palms and racing heartbeat, he was also enjoying the rush of adrenalin that accompanied his difficult triumph.  Smiling, he jacked into the system, awaiting DEE’s congratulations.  Unfortunately, those congratulations didn’t prove quite as congratulatory as Dumas had been expecting.<br/><br/>“You forgot to tell her about her eyes,” his own voice scolded him.  “You were going to describe how well the necklace complimented them.  Remember?”<br/><br/>“You’re lucky I didn’t puke on her shoes,” Dumas snarled.  “She’s wearing the damn thing, isn’t she?  That’s all I signed up for.  If you want to write love poetry for her, you’re on your own.”<br/><br/>For a moment, there was silence between them.  Then Dumas felt a vague flutter of worry and doubt as Mari’s image appeared on one of the screens.  It was so subtle that he wasn’t even entirely sure if it was coming from him or not, until DEE spoke again.  “We are doing the right thing, aren’t we?”<br/><br/>Dumas wished he could be more positive.  But he could only lift his shoulders in the smallest possible shrug.  “I really hope so, DEE.  I really fucking hope so.”