apartment in Queens. Her lungs burned. She fumbled

also the dining room, which was also the play area. Toys were

she cal

our years old. He had his mother's eyes. Big, brown

, forcing her voice to smoo

med it onto the coffee table. She smoothed it

ed. It was a hars

her hair back. She put on a smile t

ened t

Sharp nose, sharp chin, sharp clipboard. She stepped insi

behind her legs, buryin

e table. She looked

barely dry,"

e," Addie lied. "We just... ma

. "Where is Mr. Bartlett? The

ed against her ribs.

Addie said. "You know

walked to the bathroom. The do

eld her

inted to

hbrush,"

hat followed

electric one. He keeps it in h

ak. Mille

nd sat on the edge of the sofa. She ope

a single-parent household. The state needs stability. This

arge, red X

e blood drain

d. "Give me a week. He's

on't see evidence of a husband-clothes in the closet, shoes b

out. The doo

sofa. She pulled Leo into

you," she whispered int

e Bartlett To

ing down at the city. It looked l

," Marcus said. "The we

ed in. She was in a wheelchair, but she looked like a queen on a throne

k of photos onto

urger. Addie walking into a run-down apartm

Queens," Hortense said. Her voice was low, dangerous. "And my sources t

at was the deal. The document was flawed;

snapped. "Not a separation scandal before the honeymoon i

a manicured

move in

, humorless sound. "Absolutel

ze the trust. You know the clause. 'Moral turpitude and

. He felt the familiar tightening in his chest

aid through

" Hortens

r chair aro

e grabbed his phone. He needed to yell at s

's phone buzzed.

il Ba

was he calling? She needed him

pick