[It's midday, and the hub island seems perfectly normal, even bright; despite that, however, if Dirk is concentrating on it, he may get a distinct sense of unease that seems to come from outside him: a prickling on the back of his neck.

The man, meanwhile, widens his smile, as though Dirk's presence here is the answer to a question he's particularly satisfied to get. If he's at all put off by the caution and the monotone, he doesn't show it.]

What a charming young man you are.

I've come here looking for someone. He's been lost for a long time, and I've come to bring him home. Where he belongs.