"Asbel . . ." Richard watches the little physical give-aways. Not that Asbel has ever been any good at hiding things. "I'm sorry that you lost him before you could speak with him again. But I think . . ." He breathes in. "You said your father was always protecting you. That's why I don't believe for a moment that he would have wanted you to bear witness to his death."

When did breathing become so difficult?