People screamed and jumped aside.
Then—
A window above opened.
Someone leaned out carrying a bucket.
The timing...
Could not have been worse.
SPLASH!
A wave of foul-smelling sewer water poured directly onto Andrew.
Silence.
The entire street froze.
Andrew stopped.
Dripping.
The old woman above the window covered her mouth.
"...Oh!"
"I'm so sorry!"
Andrew slowly wiped the filthy water from his face.
"..."
"..."
He looked down at himself.
Then back up.
The old woman shrank behind the window.
"...It really was an accident..."
Andrew sighed.
"..."
Then pointed down the street where the assassin had disappeared.
"...They got away."
He looked at the bucket one last time.
"...I'm gonna smell like this all day."
Somewhere farther behind—
Kai finally reached the street.
He looked at Andrew.
Then at the puddle around him.
Then silently decided...
Not to ask.