Quote
He had told himself that he was going to take it slow, that he was going to be discrete at the outset
A very perceptible depiction of Clark's feelings on his 'coming out'. -- smile1

A query --
Since you are halfway through the story, I think the wham! (ref: five cigar smoking men in part 4) would be coming up soon?? sad

If she had to move heaven and Earth, perhaps come back to haunt Perry and explain the story after they'd killed her, she would do it.

Waking a Miracle by Aria