Nicole?!
Maltz's eyes widened, and he rose from his chair before he could stop himself, asking over and over-
"Nicole, are you Cotton's fiancée, Nicole?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Andor nodded, her eyes softening at Cotton's name.
Longing and memories mingled in the light in her eyes.
Even her soft sigh held an inexpressible tenderness.
At that sigh, Maltz sank back into his chair.
The Old Chief looked at his former comrade's fiancée and remained silent for a full three or four seconds before speaking.
"Did you kill the owner of Patrick Bookshop and Commons, the editor-in-chief of The Horn Newspaper?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Andor nodded again. This time, even Linda could see the hatred in her eyes, while the others fell into thought.
The Old Chief, in particular, furrowed his brow.
It was all so obvious.
He had already guessed the broad outline.
But there were still things the Old Chief needed to hear from Mrs. Andor herself.
"Can you tell me exactly what happened?"
The Old Chief asked.
"Revenge.
Do you remember what happened when you returned to South Los toward the end of the Seven-Year War, just before the war was over?"
Mrs. Andor looked at the Old Chief.
His expression grew solemn, and he answered gravely.
"I've never forgotten!"
"Then did you know you were supposed to return to South Los by ship?"
Mrs. Andor asked again.
The Old Chief immediately narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint entering his gaze. He had always been reluctant to bring up what had happened back then.
Because, as far as he was concerned, it had been an accident.
In fact, it had been officially classified as an accident at the time.
His immediate superior had personally investigated before reaching that conclusion.
So the Old Chief had never given it any further thought.