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“We were.”

Vidocq frowns.

“I wish I could have been a better man for you. I wish I could have made it more of a home for the two of us.”

“You did.”

He shakes his head.

“I should have thrown away my books, my absurd flasks and potions. I should have made it happier for you.”

“I was happy.”

Allegra looks at me.

“Tell him, Stark.”

I get up close to him so I know he can hear.

“Allegra was happy. She told me all the time.”

Vidocq shifts his head around a little so he can see me. He puts out his hand. I take it.

“James.”

“You scared us, old man.”

He says, “The charm I put on the apartment so that people can’t see it, it’s permanent, you know.”

“Of course it is. You did it.”

“I only say this because if anything should happen to me, it would make me very happy if you returned there. It’s your home. It always has been. I’ve merely been the caretaker.”

I shake my head.

“The place is yours. Yours and Allegra’s.”

He blinks.

“I never had a son, you know.”

“And I never had much of a father.”

He squeezes my hand.

“You’re a good boy, James.”

He looks at Allegra and I step back.

“I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you.”

“That’s over and forgotten,” she says.

“I am forgiven then?”

“Of course.”

He takes a breath. Closes his eyes.