"They're bigger than minks. There's no reason not to eat them, except that they're stringy and tasteless. At least, that's what I've been told every time they're not on the menu someplace."

He strokes her hair as if that could bring the smile back to her face.

"It's not about you, so far as I know. He threatened me today. He's been watching my accounts and thinks there are discrepancies."