Harry Hunter remained indifferent: "It's no trouble. I'm idle anyway. Might as well give you a beating for some fun."
Alexander Parker didn't see where he was having fun. Perhaps his midnight antics annoyed Harry.
He was shirtless, hands tied, drenched in the rain, yet his mood brightened.
Harry isn't happy, so Alexander is pleased!
He loves the rain. Even though he couldn't see his cousin, the trip here washed away his discontent.
"Here's the deal, give me some money, and I'll sell you a piece of information."
"What information?"
"Why Natalie Niles ran away."
"Isn't she a spy?"
"That's another piece of information—it'll cost extra!"
Harry's voice was calm: "Are you seeing dollar signs?"
"Can't help it, my family went bankrupt. As long as I'm alive, I have to bear the family burden. I can't let my parents live in a chicken coop."
This was Connor's problem; Harry didn't intend to pay. But he would negotiate on Connor's behalf—Connor wasn't good at talking to Alexander.
