"True," Wenzel said to Harvey with a shrug. "But the real reason is that I can't keep him there. After my return, at least ten calls were asking and pleading for Silvan's release. If I keep refusing, a lot of things will become unnecessarily difficult. By taking this opportunity to free him, I'm giving everyone involved a chance to step away gracefully.

"But tell me. By doing this, do I seem a bit cowardly in your eyes as the mayor of Grand City?"

Harvey smiled faintly. "There's no shame in co