"There was only one other exception to the kill order besides me. And that was Kepler. Because I- well, I told him once that if I was going to have him killed, I'd do it myself. That was the mistake I made the last time. I had someone else point the gun to his head."

He leans back.

"I am sorry you got hurt, Tim."

He isn't sorry that he did it yet. Not for the right reasons, at least. But he is starting to apologize for the splash. Little by little.

"I'll let you hit me, when I get out. If that makes you feel better. Once. After that? All bets are off."