The sheer force of James's reply caught Firo off-guard, and what the man said had him further confused. It was a weighty issue the man was talking about, one Firo hadn't expected to get into.

Did that mean he was going to think it over and reply with sensitivity and grace? No, unfortunately.

"I've got no idea, huh? Come off it, you really think you're the only person who's had somebody die on you? Everybody loses people, so you're not special."