"And people accept apologies because they think there is a reward in remaining or attacking?" Skulduggery asked, amused. A moment later, he shook his head. "It doesn't really matter. I've never expected a murder victim to forgive their attacker, and certainly not over such murky motives. I didn't suggest it for Bakura's sake. I suggested it for Gene's."

Bakura was a man secure in himself, if nothing else. Gene was the one Skulduggery had been worried about from the beginning. Yes, Bakura would probably continue on with seething resentment and anger, but that would be his choice and his burden to bear. Gene didn't have to make the same choice out of fear, and the very fact that he'd agreed to a meeting at all was enough to prove he wasn't irredeemable.

"Since you're drunk," Skulduggery added, "was there anything else you wanted to know?"