“Do you want to know my reason for having you stay away in Argentina?” It wasn’t a question. I really ought not to give him the satisfaction, but I couldn’t help asking, “What was it?” “It’s simple, Inez,” he whispered close to my ear. “I’ve built an empire, and I didn’t know if I could give you the keys to my kingdom.” “That’s why you kept asking me to join you,” I said. “You were hoping to see … what, exactly? If I was corruptible?”
