I was stunned by this ingenuous statement of fact. I knew he wasn't lying. He simply considers it beneath his dignity to waste time on this. I'm not the chosen one, but just a serial number in the pipeline of bodies sent for sale. Just a bright butterfly in the collection of an entomologist, already planted on a needle. There are so many copies that the collector himself has not noticed their bright wings and uniqueness for a long time.

- I'm waiting, Victoria. I hope I'm not in for another disappointment?

All my determination and imaginary confidence dissipated to smithereens. I looked into the eyes of a man in...