Oh, no, no, I was just passing by.”

“Come in, I wanted to ask you something, anyway.”

I entered reluctantly.

“Have a seat,” he indicated the chair opposite him. ”Can you join me for some drinks?”

I sat on the edge of the chair, not knowing what to say.

He offered me a glass of red wine, then another glass, and still another, until I felt dizzy and floating. I never drank any spirits, so my alcohol intoxication was more intense.

“May I ask you something?” he queried, his voice ...