“No.” I struggled, and the rope made the skin of my wrists bleed. Daley wouldn't let go no matter how hard I tried.

He grabbed the waitress by the hair and held her head back, the woman's pale neck protruding forward. With his other hand, a knife is held to the front of the woman's neck. He stood behind her and looked at me.

“She's innocent. Don't hurt her,” I shouted at him.

“All men are sinners,” he said, with a solemn air characteristic of a bishop, “But God forgives penitents.”

“This woman will die because of you.” The sharp blade only lightly touched the woman's neck, and a tiny...