“What kind of attention?” Mary asks.
“The useful kind.”
“That is not an answer.”
“It absolutely is.”
“No, Kai. It isn't.”
I grin because she's using my first name now.
Progress.
“Look, let's assume for a second that Jonas had absolutely nothing to do with this.”
Her mouth twists.
She doesn't believe that.
Neither do I.
But neither of us can prove anything.
Yet.
“Fine,” she says. “Let's pretend.”
“Good. Then the permits are just delayed.”
“Revoked.”
“Temporarily revoked.”
Mary groans.
“You're impossible.”
“Thank you.”
“It wasn't a compliment.”
“I'll take it anyway.”
Sabrina actually laughs.
“The point,” I continue, “is that permits can be revisited.”
Mary still looks skeptical.
“By whom?”
“People who suddenly realize a lot of voters care about something.”
Now she's listening.
I can tell.
So is Sister Agnes, who's somehow wandered back into earshot.