<span style="color: #336600">“I’m sorry.” </span>She took a drink from her glass and closed her eyes.<span style="color: #336600"> “I don’t want to talk to Susan, I want to talk to you. But right now you just need me to shut up and listen.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #b3b300">“Eh? Alright, sure.” </span>He frowned up at her.<span style="color: #b3b300"> “Why are you so scared of me? Worried I’m going to bite your ankles or something? Being friendly to people makes them more comfortable and comfortable people talk more. Sure, I could laugh at them but then it’s more trouble for me to monitor their behavior and track their associates. If they think I’m on their side they’ll give me everything I need. In other words, I give them the rope and let them hang themselves.” </span>He took a sip of his drink and nodded in approval.<span style="color: #b3b300">“Good stuff. Never cared for the Hinterlands, too cold, but they have good food and drink. Not all relationships end as well as mine did, but we’re old enough to understand when things aren’t working.”</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>