like it was held together by grime and bad intentions. The neon si

y?" the driver asked, eyeing a grou

said, handing him anot

ole. But it was cash-only, and

ale smoke and bleach. Annelise paid for a room o

wo sagging double beds and

utomatically. It was a game they

nected the coaxial cable. "No smart devices," he muttered. He check

dle. He took a glass cup from the bathroom and balanced it on t

ecure," Blac

anitizer she made herself and started spraying the

e bed, her head in her hands.

cally, based on his reaction and facial structure simila

She couldn't lie t

sband," Annelise said haltingly. "They

r?" Blace asked,

u exist. And we need to keep it that way. If Archibald Sa

they were his, he would use his billions to crush her in court. He would

," Blace vowed, p

he floor with his tablet. "I am accessing the local Wi-Fi

d him work. "Be

, his brow furrowing.

ha

t out for a woman and three children. It's not an official police

l. "He's using his o

n a much older network. It's asking for information on 'children with exceptional abiliti

shadowy grandfather, flashed in Annelise's m

e said. "Turn it all o

s of sirens wailed ou

ke puppies. Annelise sat in the chair by the window,

e number she had. The man who had helped them

thouse of Sanders Tower, Archib

ro said. "Dropped off in Qu

up. "Get the t

it's

ald buttoned his black

elise's eyes were heav

he hea

in

the doorknob and sh

bolted

It was just a test. So

nstantly, sliding off

Annelis

window