B has assured him you’re all right, you’re just sorting out a few things.
And what does that man know of you being here? You always suspected he knew of Project Indigo; you’ve never been entirely sure who he works for, where his allegiances lie. You asked Motl once what his religion was. ‘He was one of them, years ago,’ he replied. ‘Now I don’t know. I’m not sure he works for anyone any more. He’s a humanitarian, I guess. He works for humanity’s sake.’
He’s never completely trusted you just as you’ve never trusted him. When you announced you were giving up your job B retorted he didn’t believe it would last, your resolve wasn’t strong enough, you’d eventually be lured back. ‘You’re so driven,’ and he made it sound like a dirty word. ‘You want it too much,’ the dismissive taunt.
Anger now, anger at all of this. You know what they want. You have been found and they want you to complete the project. All as cruel as each other, all animal underneath.
Tranquil sage is he who, whether young, middle-aged or old, remains firm in self-restraint, unprovokable, provoking none.