I can hardly believe my ears. Has Julia just asked me where she needs to sign the document, the agreement that will allow her to come with me for the weekend? I stare at her, my eyes wide, as I contemplate how easy it was to convince her. I am confused. I thought for certain it would be difficult for me to convince Julia that she should spend the weekend with me, but here she is agreeing to it with hardly a word from me.

My eyes flicker across the room to where Springer is sitting, not ...