I expected to be booted immediately, or at least called out for my presence. Surely the look the young rider gave me told me she knew exactly the state of affairs surrounding my identity and my illegal presence on the premises. Instead, she smiled, offering one hand, strong as I shook it in too much shock not to react on instinct.

"I've heard a lot about you," she said like we'd met casually and not during my lowest moment of criminal enterprise. "My aunt speaks very ...