S65

“I deemed the ladder safe,” I answer.

Lev explodes. “How! How is a three hundred foot utility ladder with no safety guards safe?”

“Because it is an affixed structure with rungs that are grip-coated,” I say. “The risk is tiny, and you would have agreed with me before this incident.”

Lev grows quiet. “Well, the risk wasn’t tiny enough, was it?”

I decide to bring up a different subject. “Do you know why Angi was declining in her mental health? Your medical services never found out?”

“No firm idea, no, but we were working on it,” says Lev. “Why does that matter now?”

“It matters because she was pulling her brother Mikhail down with her. And now, with his sister’s death, he might pull through and improve. Do you think she fell on purpose? End her suffering?”

Lev shrugs. “I’m not going to theorize on that. And that doesn’t absolve you of your lack of responsibilities on her death.”

Draw a small X in the “Salute” box.

Draw a small pretty flower in the “Artiste” box.