"Yeah, taking all his money and then murdering him would require some finesse."

Solemn nodding.

"Most of the problem is that we can't afford a lawyer right now," Alemar says.

"How much does he even owe you, I probably spend more on laundry in a month," he says. "Would it simplify your lives any if I just gave you a lot of money."

There is a slightly stunned pause. "Well. Yes," Endevar says.

"I'll do that then."

"...Thank you," he says, a little stunned. Alemar studies him and Lyrame thoughtfully.

He smiles at Lyrame.

She smiles back at him.

Aww.

"Are we still going to try to Do A Vengeance?" Elcisse asks.

"Well, it's probably not a good idea to let people see him getting away with it," Alemar says.

"Generally isn't," Sekar agrees.

"Well, extralegal revenge won't do anything there, 'man makes off with money and dies of unrelated accident a few days later' is...not necessarily a deterrent," Endevar points out.

"Depends on the accident. But I take your point."

"And getting arrested for murder just adds to our problems," he tells Alemar firmly.

"If anyone's going to commit murder here, it should be me, I'm much likelier to get away with it."

"And if you don't get away with it, what happens to Lyrame?" Alemar asks.

"...mm," he says, acknowledgingly.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," he says.

"Alle."

"All I'm saying is, as long as he's got you he'd better be a damn sight more careful with himself."

No purpose will be served by getting into this - but - it itches not to -

"I'd free her before I'd see her in anyone else's hands," he says quietly.

"...Well, better than not."

She reaches over to squeeze his hand.

Handsqueeze.