of the key. Evangeline pushed it open, and the smell hit her instan

exactly as Nana had left it. A half-finished knitting project s

sh over her, but she pushed it down. She

energy. She checked the trash can in the kitc

the landline phone sat. The answering machine

Blink

pressed t

age," the robotic voice anno

e that made Evangeli

to discuss Evangeline's future. It would be a shame i

sweet, dripping wi

and recorded the message, making s

ing there. One was Nana's favorite mug, reading 'World's Best Grand

n the rim of the guest

i

de of lipstick Chloi

loc bag, and carefully maneuvered the cup in

," she w

lutter; it was a painful twist that made her double over, clut

Stress and not eating properly for day

buzzed in

or the settlement goes to ze

ric's lawyer. Or

ped back: See

She froze, her heart hammering agai

oor and looked thr

ll cap.

fton

opened the door a crac

u find me?"

stic inhaler. "You dropped this at

ety medication was gone. She must hav

said, reaching

ton asked. "I think we

ce-there was no malice there. Only curiosit

big for the room, his presence filling the space. He scanne

iffton asked, pointi

ar crash when I was a baby.

g?" Evangeline asked, cro

s cap, running a hand through his hair

m an orphan from Brookl

, knowing smile. "Blood tells, Ms. W

a sleek business card. It was heavy, black

," Cliffton said, handing it

hy

y. But his eyes were scanning the hairbrush sit

vangeline said, f

e table, his hand brushed against the hairbrush. In a movement too

the door b

nd and the King card in the other. She felt confused, but for the f