earlier t

o neighbors shouting, no generators humming. Just cold marble floors, wide

laid out. Simple, neat, black-and-white. Not

haled deeply, and ste

lene was

without smiling. "Come. You must learn the r

long corridor lined with tasteful paintin

"Breakfast is served for Mr. Harrington at exactly 7:15. No

ed, searching for a word

" Mrs. Marle

word Elena wante

ivacy. More than you can imagine." She stopped wa

ghtened. "Y

e house you are not al

linked.

is the East Wing. No cleaning. No dustin

wned. "Bu

hose are t

sn't an

rder wrappe

ed on before Ele

ess he initiates the conversation. He dislikes idle

t her che

work for someone withou

lowering her voice, "Never-under any

"Why would I enter

ne. "This job pays double what the agency normally offers. A

sed her li

stand,"

moment-long enough to make El

ou'll start wi

alked

ng someone," Mr

. "Replacing? What hap

's expressio

eft ab

s all s

e said ther

h m

chandelier, and an enormous window overlooking the

handed Elena

glass. Quietly. Mr. Harrington often works in

allowed.

Ele

lance

ne lowered

rary to the East Wing. The last maid did

turned

ood at the far e

l

a

of p

eart

away, leaving her al

grabbing a mi

lose to the

fr

direction of the

sound

draggin

being moved a

som

ack, panic pric

ise st

ce re

h

ic

door opene

pun a

here

Harri

Sharp

l suit, his hair still wet from a mor

locked un

m felt

ir he

dn't

't s

t loo

he finall

was low an

Yo

nees near

ou doing near