Armand smiled too, even though he was shaking his head. The boy was so optimistic, so cheerful. "Well, perhaps you'll be the one to figure it out." There was less condescension and more a small hope that perhaps someone was undaunted enough to break the chains. "But remember who your enemy is." He pointed upwards. "Dr. Landel. You likely heard his voice on the... com-no, the intercom this morning."

"There was work stress in there somewhere, I believe, but what kind of work makes someone take up a gun and hold hostages in his brother-in-law's offices? At least these people seem to give me credit for being more clever than I am in reality."