rk's office. It wasn't a drizzle; it was a deluge.

led under umbrellas. But Gerhard's driver pulled right up to the

couples on them-envy, curiosity. She kept her head down,

hard spoke briefly into his phone. "Sterling, the waiver came through? Good

red dress and his coat. He was wearing a three-pie

, he pulled it off completely and tossed it into a wastebasket

him. "That was

ran a hand through his hair, me

she said before she

s eyes unreadable. "

an with reading glasses on a chai

she asked, st

hand moved to the small of her back. His palm was hot

" Daw

the cle

ze. "We

ket. He pulled out a small v

a pink oval diamond, massive

Gerhard, I can

efinger circled her ring finger for a brief, calculating moment, as if

finger. It fit perfectly.

fusion warring with shock.

ensions," he said smoothly.

platinum band on

" the clerk droned, "I pron

The clerk looked up

dn't lean in. He took her han

siness with you, Mrs

n was coming down in sheets now. It bo

g she was completely covered. His own left shoulder was exposed to the rai

ided her to the car, op

eached into his wallet again. He pulled o

ing it to her. "Buy some clothes. You

heavy, like the business car

e said. He signaled the

ing for a second. "

Gerhar

again. "I have to go back to Q

our things," Gerhard said. "

Lyd

ooked out the window at the rain-blurre

t sparkled even in the dim light of the