On the verge of collapse, she opened her mouth, her voice trembling, her shoulders shaking, but she spoke firmly, "Van, I'll call the police. I really will. Even if I'm ruined, even if the whole world calls me a slut, I'll call the police."

It was unclear whether her desperate threat had worked, or if the man across from her had lost interest, but in any case, the car fell silent. Only the faint smell of tobacco lingered in the air.

After a long while, Van focused intently on ...