Book Three: Double Feature — 12.

Donna notices a change in Valentine: distracted, sleep-deprived, and jumpy, especially after a door slam sends his phone flying. Mr. Francis returns, joined by Mr. Salem and Nurse Lansing, whose presence underscores the team dynamic Donna has mapped—Valentine as the accelerator, Francis as the brake.

Valentine opens by asserting control: Donna’s hands are cuffed at her waist, and he frames the interrogation as synchronized with Van’s. He threatens to hurt Van, or Donna on camera, if their answers diverge, while promising a supervised walk together if both cooperate.

Pressed on who oversees the operation, Valentine claims private-contractor status and parades their hardened communications—end-to-end encrypted “Dragonware” that can’t be forwarded or printed—meant to shield them from leaks or foreign services. His edginess shows again, and Donna teases his fragility.

Valentine pivots to Donna’s early years, citing Van’s statements about “twin telepathy.” Donna then stage-manages a display of loneliness and tears. The act works: Valentine softens and promises time with Van if she complies, revealing how easily he can be steered by perceived contrition.

As Donna regains composure, she notes Francis’s impassive watchfulness, confirming her read of team roles. Her feigned breakdown buys breathing room and insight into Valentine’s vulnerabilities while reinforcing Francis as the internal restraint on Valentine’s harsher impulses.