an was a shoebox, but it had a wi

d it into a war room. Using a dry-erase marker, sh

the top. NewGen He

Vanderbilt. Then a dotte

ass where Julian'

really?" sh

rang. It w

he said.

" Harper replied, leaning

said. "Tonight. Se

ed reservations months in advance. It was a power mo

tomorrow," she said. "

o know who you're dealing with.

er said. "I'

send a

he water stain on the ceiling. She didn't want his driver seeing this. She didn'

could hear the smile in his v

ent," she

hung

nts and a stained t-shirt. She couldn't wear this to Le Bernardin.

or that looked

the medical bills for Rose... she was bleeding cash. Buying a

ew places.

p in the East Village she had found online. It was dusty and

aying. She checked linings for stains. She negotiated with the owner, a tough

r said firmly. "And I'

woman grunte

m the 90s. Simple. Devastatin

lastic bag, feeling a surge of victory.

n the back of the door. She sat on her futo

argins. She memorized

ucky. She would be the girl who kne

was tying a tie. He rejected three b

us," he told

p," he

watch. Six hour

a teenager. A