Page 36 - TruthAboutLyingFinal

The Truth About Lying
“If this ever becomes something real.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Henry.”
“I’m not building anything tonight. I promised.” “Good.”
“But if the problem is bigger than words, I need people who understand the body. The mind. Technology. Shame. Fear. All of it.”
Claire stared into her coffee.
“I know someone,” she said at last. “Maybe.” “Who?”
“A woman named Jinji Arata. Former lead at Chorus. Cybersecurity. Brilliant. Difficult. Fired and blacklisted after she leaked internal reports.”
“Why would she talk to me?” “She probably won’t.” “Helpful.”
Claire ignored that.
“And there’s Father Vincent. He runs a mission downtown. Used to be a priest.”
“Used to be?”
“He quit. Or they pushed him. Depends who you ask.” “Why?”
“Because he got tired of offering people heaven when what they needed was a bed, a meal, and someone who wouldn’t lie to them.” Claire looked at him. “He understands the lies people tell themselves to stay alive.”
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