Inside Man

by K.J. Parker

“Doing deals with the—” “It’s not a deal,” I point out, “since you’ve already received the benefit, free, gratis, and for nothing. Therefore, there would be no—” “Collusion?” “I believe the correct legal jargon is consideration. No bargain. Just a graceful gesture of thanks on your part. Call it a professional courtesy, from one old lag to another.” “I don’t know.” He looks at me. I sigh. “It’s one of those cases,” I say, “where the order of events is of the essence. If I came to you and said, ‘Snafu the mass for the dead, and in return I’ll show you the face of the living God,’ then, yes, that would be actionable and we’d have you for it. But where there’s no reciprocity, and no ongoing obligation—” “Moral obligation.” “Moral obligation to one of our lot? Oh please.” He grins. “It would be a sin.” “True,” I say. “But a forgivable one.” “If you do the sin with the intention of repenting later, the repentance doesn’t count.” “Tell you what,” I say, “I’ll pray for you. How would that be?”