door. She dragged a heavy

h in cold water. She pressed it to her cheek.

-a precaution from her single days. She dialed her lawyer, S

straining order," Elise

own the judges in that district. A restraini

e the state," Elise

e money?" S

froze ev

bed a duffel bag. Essen

he door. Three quick t

air and opened the

ace. She gasped. "

get out,"

out in the laundry

u, they'll fire you. I need

eed cash,"

hind the painting of the ship. J

e," Elise said. "He c

r to it. She mov

arret's bir

eir wedding

thday, her fingers trembli

moji. The possessiveness. A sick, desperate idea took root. She wouldn't. She c

n Cristine'

. Cl

flashed. The d

vomit. He used his mistress's bir

, Elise saw something else: a small, black USB drive with no label.

rs, her suitcase ro

was talking to a group of

talking when

hink you're goi

," Elise lied.

the family protection," Joyce sai

a bruise," Elise said,

uncomfortably. They

large men standing by th

oyce said loudly. "She is hysterical with

front of Elise. They

ical," Elise sai

Elise's suitcase. "Please,

e. They were writing in thei

wasn't a guest. S

d walked back up the stairs. She didn't run

, she was