s and takeout containers. On the third morning, a black town car pulled into the motel park

before opening the door just as

lat. She was wearing black leggings and a gray hoodie, t

aback. "Ms. Woods... Fitzgerald. Your mot

st the doorframe. "Her message

clear," the lawyer said, stiffly. "You ar

rabbed a small, battered

The metal was rusting at the hinges. The ivy was overgrown, choking

ame, looking at her like she was a delivery driver a

acked limestone steps. She

ened the door. Her

past her int

e drawing room, sipping tea. She looked up, her eyes sca

n't put down her cup. "I'm surprised the lawyers manage

f the room. The Persian ru

on my twenty-fifth birthday to unloc

china clattered dangerously. She stood up, a c

ctoria hissed, walking over until she was inches from Arla's face. "Do not speak unles

"I have no intention of en

witched. She rais

She shifted her weig

t empty air. She stumbled,

rla said softly. "You need my s

anicured finger toward the back of the house. "The ol

up her duffe

hallway. She didn't feel hu

r was stale. She placed her bag on the floor. It contained noth

need anyt