The last race of the calendar takes place in Miami. Claymore had not been able to repeat the triumph they had celebrated in Silverstone, but they are doing well enough. Places on the podium and a regular influx of championship points make for the best season the team has ever had. They are in a good position to negotiate. Right now, they do not do that. The drivers want to weigh their options, Strathairn has to be replaced. Tom’s future is as yet undecided. Faith wants to decide without pressure and level-headedly, and she can actually afford herself the luxury to wait.

  The course in Miami is unusual. The race takes place in the parking lot around the Miami Dolphins’ stadium. She does not know what to think about this, but the owner of the Dolphins, Mike Carter, is a huge racing fan, and he manages to convince her that the course is safe. Carter puts a lot of money into the event and wants to turn the final race of the season into a unique celebration, even though the championship is already decided. He tops it off by organising the party on Sunday night. After that, there would be a week of clean-up, and then they would break up for the year. Faith could hardly wait.

  After the last team manager meeting, Mori having sat beside Faith without talking to her, he asks her out to dinner. Faith is glad about it; she has not found it within herself to address him, and she is grateful to him for taking this step.

  It is hard to return to their friendly relationship. She assumes that Mori has got something he wants to talk about, but he takes his time and watches her eat her dinner. He himself eats nothing. When she asks about his health, he deflects her question with a mere gesture. It is only when she has finished her cheesecake that he comes to the point.

  “Have you heard from your husband?”

  “No. Not since Silverstone, a few days after. He disappeared right after he was handed the divorce papers. Still, Nicholas and my lawyers want to get it through before Christmas, with or without him.”

  “Are there any problems?”

  Faith makes a face. “Well, it is not helpful that he is nowhere to be found. They somehow try to blame me, for not having done enough to find him.”

  “And the affair with Liv Krook does not help with that?”

  Faith stares at him. Nobody knows about Liv, let alone her full name. “How do you know about that?”

  “I know many things, Faith. I told you that you’d be safe with me. I need to know things if I want to keep you safe.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Creepy. But, on the other hand, since it is him, it is not really creepy. “No, the story with Liv does not help. Or very little. We need Kenny’s statement. Without it, Liv could have just been following him without his knowledge.”

  Mori hesitates. “And if there was something I had to contribute? Would you let me?”

  This is another surprise. “What would that be? I’m sorry, I really don’t get it.”

  “I first contacted your husband in Le Castellet. I met him at the hotel and offered him money if he agreed to a quick divorce. He declined. He was very insolent. In Silverstone, which aligns with what you have told the police about him having met Miss Krook, he contacted me.”

  “You gave him that money? That was you? Wow.”

  “That was a down payment.”

  This is unbelievable. Faith shakes her head in disbelief, but Mori says, “I wonder whether my statement would help you now.”

  “It might be. But I guess Nicholas has already told you that.”

  “Yes”, he says simply. “Nicholas is very capable. All of this has been my initiative. We always had your best interest in mind. Nicholas has never received any money.”

  Faith laughs. This is too much. When she sees that Mori does not get her reaction, she becomes serious again at once. “I’m sorry. This is an inappropriate reaction. It is just really overwhelming.”

  He does not reply. He does not even look at her. She sighs. “No, I cannot hold anything against you. On the contrary. I feel I have to thank you, and Nicholas, of course. Your statement would be helpful, for sure.”

  “Then I’ll ask Nicholas to arrange a date to make it.”

  She nods. “What have I ever done to earn your loyalty and support?”

  “I am obliged to you, Faith. You hurt my feelings when you choose to forget this.”

  “I know. I am sorry.” It is humiliating beyond words.

  Mori rises abruptly. Faith takes his hand, holding on to it for a moment. Is there a tremor that has not been there before? How is he, really?

  He does not allow any more questions but bids her good night and leaves. She watches him go, straight as always, but he will hopefully take time to unwind and restore his health during the break. He seems to be holding on by a thread. He could have used Tom just fine, and she herself had done her part as well. She finishes her wine and orders a taxi, deep in thoughts.

  When she gets in the car, she thinks for a moment that she had caught a glimpse of Kenny, out of the corner of her eye. She shakes the notion off. A dark figure on the other side of the street. They could all use some unwinding.