After operation Matthew was put into an adjacent room for rest. Veronica and Papa, both were guarding Matthew. Mark had just left the room for someone had called him. Papa paced around Matthew's bed. Matthew's body was covered with a white sheet. Papa uncovered the sheet and turned Matthew a little to see his backside.
"What are you doing Papa?" asked Veronica, weary of sleeplessness.
"Have you forgotten why we are here? Have you forgotten our mission?" asked Papa.
"I remember. But isn't it madness?"
"No, not at all. You never know he could be the boy…"
"He can not be," said a determined Veronica.
"How? Did you see him bare body before?"
"No, but I feel like it."
Papa circled his brow and said, "Did I ever tell you to feel? I have always said you to observe, never feel."
Veronica remained silent. She was in no mood to argue. Besides she knew she could never win against her Papa in arguing.
Papa nodded his head in disappointment.
"Did you find the mark?" asked Veronica.
Papa said, "Good, he is not the boy we are looking for. We must go to our next rendezvous. Sebastian will also come there. We have to hurry before the lady assassin strikes again."
Veronica was curious about the lady assassin. She was wondering who she was.
"Do you know the lady assassin?" she asked.
"No, I have guesses. But you know me. I never confirm it until I know it for sure."
"Yes, the scientific methodology," she grimaced.
Papa gazed at her.
"Let's go. That Mark is out. We should bail out too," Papa said.
"But we can not leave, the boy who saved me…"
"Don't get attached. Attachment is weakness dear."
Veronica said, "It is not attachment, rather responsibility – rather compassion."
"This is simple attachment. This is weakness. This is not your fault. It is the fault of your age," said Papa in a muffled angry voice. Never before he seemed such powerless before Veronica. He could devour hurting her now. He continued after a minute, "a young boy swayed you from your duty.' As if he could not take it anymore, could not allow himself stand near the boy, he left the room.
Veronica was all alone with the unconscious Matthew. She went near him and lifted his left arm and pushed him a bit. She saw a long stitch mark on his forehead, hidden by long curly hair. Recently he must have suffered from some kind of severe accident. Poor chap. Does not even know me; yet took a bullet for me: thought Veronica.