Before I could say anything, Jocasta took her finger off the trigger, and the laser died. Then she let down the pistol's hammer and snapped on the safety, all in a very businesslike manner. She extended the weapon toward me, like a gift. "I'm sorry," she said. "I was wrong. That wasn't a blackmailer talking to a victim ... or to a murderer." I looked down at the pistol and shook my head. With a nod, she concealed the small weapon in a pouch on her belt.