the regret is...well, so very Helene, still. It's not outright remorse, but she's taken less joy from these killings.

Yes. I don't think she even remembers what real regret feels like. I also think if it came down to someone asking after her guilt and she was in a fair enough mood, she'd claim that she was doing her victims a favor by killing them.

Thank you very much! I'm thrilled you missed Helene. I know I missed writing her.