d the dining room, h

ilk robe she found in the closet.

s reading the Wall Street Journa

aid, gesturing

hine and made herself a double espress

he picked up the knife and fork. She cut the egg. The yolk

ce of paper acros

y something decent for tonight

s a check. Signed by Cedric Mu

ank

d. She would have filled in a number

, waiting for the greed. Waiting for her

lver lighter sitting n

e flame f

rner of the che

s eyes

ature. She held it until the heat licked her fingertip

calmly. "We have a contract. I'll

g in the coffee dregs. He looked

his jacket. "Harrison is sending a styli

alke

burner phone from her robe sleeve. She had lifted

er she hadn't cal

g four

red. Loud music thump

," she

shit. You're alive? I thought

eck something. Arthur's company acco

tta pay the toll. Come to

ave a... fami

said. "Back d

in

e phone in a hollowed-

ll rang. T

als. "Mr. Mullen suggested soft colors," the le

to the back. She pulled out a black velvet

ne," sh

k? For a fam

edom," she said. "Do

bedroom at six o'clock, Ced

eyes traveled from her heels to the

o had just buried a rich h

aring blac

g," she repli

is arm. She took it. His musc

power couple. The