Taylor picked up the house phone absently.
"Yes?"
"Taylor?"
He froze, then realised he'd better say something.
"Hi Dad."
He heard his father sigh.
"Taylor, will you tell me what's going on?"
"With what, exactly?" Taylor asked, turning off the TV so he could pay closer attention.
"Why you're under house arrest for a start. I thought it was over between you and Christian?"
"I never said that," Taylor defended.
"I realise that. I guess it was just wishful thinking."
"I couldn't abandon him, Dad," Taylor shook his head, "too many people already have."
"Did you tell Wayne all you knew?"
"No," Taylor replied, "that's why I'm in this position. Just because I can't tell them."
"Why can't you?"
"Because there's a lot of people involved, some of whom I dare not mention at all."
"Why, are you afraid of them?"
"Partly," Taylor admitted, "but I also owe a lot of them favours. My life, even. I can't deny that now."
"Just how many people are involved? I can't believe you never told me any of this."
"A lot," Taylor shrugged, "I couldn't say precisely. All I know is that the majority of them are good people, and with no disrespect for the YIRAAS authority at all - I can't just give away their trust."
"I see..." Walker rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry if you think less of me because of it," Taylor said straight out.
"Taylor, it's a tricky situation. On the one hand, there's legalities. On the other, there's honour."
Taylor couldn't help but smile a little, knowing where his father was trying to go.
"You know if I was still on the council I'd have to push the legal side all the way."
"I know."
"And you know I'm no longer on the council."
"I know about Leroy, Dad. I haven't been living under a rock for that long."
His father chuckled.