through the gap in the curtains, s

ody screamed in protest. Her head throbbed with a rh

he Sterling estate. Instead, her hand brushed against sheets that fe

The restaurant. The rai

, a suite of gray and silver, overlooking Cen

down. She

e scrambled out of bed, dragging the sheet with her. He

e of water, lay a black metal card. It was

al Institute. It was a payment confirmation for one year o

was astronomical. This wasn't payment for services rendered;

ke a whore. He had treat

lowance last week. Her mother's care facility had called twi

uld be offended. She should be terrified. Ins

he receipt into her purse, her h

or. Inside the bathroom, her clothes were neatly fold

rror. She could see the faint purple mark on her neck.

he hotel l

sunglasses on, though the fluorescent lights still hu

tic progestin. As the chalky tablet dissolved, her mind automatically tracked its metabolic pathway-absorption in the GI

es loomed, a symbol of her imprisonment. She slipped in through

nes

r. He didn't look surprised; he looked like he had been

s your presence in th

ld hear shouting from the direction o

ness that usually protected her. She walked

ce was red. Aunt Eleanor sat on the chesterfield so

at time it is?" Richard

..

n the desk. "He was worried sick. He said you stood him

spite her racing heart. "I was at his apartment at nine-thirty

oared. "Caleb said he was at the restaurant until eleven.

theatrical sound. "Oh, V

the

into her purse and pulled out a file folder. "Dr. Aris sent over his latest report. He says your

Haloperidol for anxiety? That's an antipsychotic. The dosage he suggests would cause extrapyrami

g to a dangerous, low pitch. "I will have no choice but to cut funding fo

se, Richard held the legal power of attorney over her mother's care until

said quickly.

hosting a party at the Sapphire Club. You will go there. You will apologize for

It slid across the polished f

t. You can walk the rest of the way. Maybe t

. Go to the Hamptons. Apologiz

e touched her purse, feeling the outline of the black

Richard," sh

d out, leaving the d