Chapter Four: The Impact Mark

Luca stepped forward. Lin wedged the silver bell against the frame. Brakes screamed inside, and the hand withdrew. “Roman bought his watch, and Roman vanished,” Henry said. “Perhaps the buyer is always the price.” “Not necessarily.” Amara studied the driver in the mirror. “The person most central to Roman's memory was dead, so the town took the nearest living subject—Roman. Mia's lie made Luca the driver. If the transaction corrects responsibility, which of them becomes redundant?” The rope between the couple tightened by itself. “Back away!” Lin shouted. Mia raised the mirror to the counter. “I'll pay. I don't want to remember that boy's eyes.” The door began to open.