inst the roof of the black Mercedes sedan

sed over her chest. The city lights blurred

ed her ph

l no

r text histor

day, 4

dry cleaning tomo

at. <3 Will have

ooked pathetic now. A

g games," sh

worked for the Evans family for a decade, gl

self. "He thinks if he acts tough, I'll respect him.

cts and dialed Mr. Hend

rson's voice was g

d. "If Jorden violates the 'public image' cl

"Well, usually it results in a reduction of his month

"Cut it all. Freeze his

ems extreme. If he'

trum. Cut the funds. I want him to have to ask

I'll initiate

anguage. Power. Money. Control. Jorden lived in her world, on her

nderground garage of the

e got out. "I might need you to take

vate elevator up

ook of disdain. She expected to find Jorden in the living room, perhaps nurs

ors slid open w

kne

use was pi

hardwood floor. The motion-sensor lights in the hallw

" she ca

oice

y, Jorden kept the thermostat at a cozy 72 degrees b

ouse slippers, which were always perfe

ter was spotless. No smell of dinne

ed at her throat. Panic?

he bed was made, perfectly tight, t

sn't

n't co

clutching her expensive bag. For the first time in t

nightstand on hi

there. His book-some biog

he w

e bed. The silence was deafeni

you?" she

had prepared her speech. She wa

crush someone

when he wasn't with her. Did he have friends? She did

he had lived with for three year

service had stopp

he one number she knew would have

led the

is your e

ent," Catarina said, her voice trembling sl

mom

was cheerful.

a vehicle registered to a Jorden Nash. The report indicates a rollover with entra

to her mouth. That meant the Jaws

.. is h

over the line, ma'am. You'll need

atarina's fingers. It bo

ing. He wasn't

crushed insi

ust frozen hi