smelled of old money, expen

was where the world's elite came to buy things that weren't supposed

ng the auction floor. She wore a floor-length gown of midnight blue sil

d New York five years ago. She stood with a spine

nager, bowed slightly as he approached. "The

per than her natural tone, a trick she had perfected. "M

cour

ing toward the secure VIP area backstage. She swip

like a criminal mastermind's lair a

e years old, were scattere

th a laptop balanced on his knees, his small fingers flying

a disassembled drone, its schematics glowing on his screen. "I

El

ed out onto the arrival hall. She was eating a p

aid without looking up. "D

d a mouthful of cookie. "I

bad guys," Davy correcte

he pressed her nose

, a fleet of black SUVs pulled

d out of the

His hair was slightly greyer at the temples than it had been five years ago, his face

rd Hol

. She tilt

she had stolen from her mother's lockbox a year ago. A picture of Cailin and Hilliard on th

e photo up

m," she

He slid one headphone

let. His eyes went w

said solemnly. "

he playfulness vanished. In its place was a sca

res?" Davy as

said. "I'll loop

sudden, inexplicable chill. She

down at t

as walking through

estarted, hammering against

nderground. Hilliard was legitimate c

ooking for some

iece. "Block the backstage access.

ed. He looked dangerous. His eyes swept

saw

with the distance, Cali felt the impact of his stare. He

abruptly, her breath

ventilation grate in th

" Davy whispered, cr

aid, tapping his screen.

Elia said, following Da

hone to check the nan

sig

she wh

le