His words were not careful enough, but Arthur was slowly losing his restraint.  Silent, Arthur took a bite of his cake to keep himself from smiling.  Oh how Miriam made his name sound like poison.

Arthur could hardly focus on Levi's response about his father.  He knew more about it then the other man did anyway, knew more about his last moments and his demise because he'd heard it straight from the man who had killed him.  Did Levi and Mara know?

How would they react, Arthur wondered, if they knew this was the last meal they would ever have with Miriam.

"Of course," was Arthur's unhesitating response to Miriam.  His eyes were wide, feigning practiced innocence.  He took another bite of cake and frowned, covering his mouth to ask, "what, now?"

She's hardly touched her cake.  Him, too.  And - it couldn't happen now.  It wouldn't, not without Malachi to witness him, not with Levi and Mara still at the table.  But just because they were speaking didn't mean it had to start.  It would just be an annoying road black he'd have to deal with before it all went down.