Free, so that if circumstances changed...so the possibility was there...free, so that one day, they might find out what else they could be to each other.
-- The Narrator from the Perspective of Strke (Prologue)

Importance: Strike thinks this as he watches Robin and Matthew dance at their wedding reception. The quote defines Strike's relationship with Robin and shows how her not letting go of her relationship with Matthew is keeping both Strike and Robin from moving forward. Strike does not say he loves her, but he knows that a potential for romance is there. However, as long as she is with Matthew, neither one of them will know if this is a possibility or if they are meant to only have a professional relationship. Neither one of them will be able to live a full life until they explore the possibility that the two of them could be a romantic couple as well as business partners.

Let...
-- Robin (Prologue)