ride was

was too big. It

n a dirty windbreaker actually

ot to 5th Avenue,

subway station and into

walks were clean. The people smelled

t like an

g down the street

g. Mannequins with no heads modele

t her sneakers. T

up, K

gh the heavy gla

instantly. It was freezing in

nding behind the marb

eir eyes did a collective sweep of her

issed her

em asked. Her nametag said

ra said, heaving the bag onto

Keira had asked he

bbed the silk with rough, man

said automatica

ou can't afford to re

pected

he announc

ra leaned o

c gray smudge near the bott

," Keira said, panic risi

out to bru

apped her

ch the mer

oice trembling. "I need that deposit

Brenda said, zipping the bag

age! You're ste

she snapped. "Or I

ok who

m the entrance. Hi

blood

rned a

there. And her st

ct. Blow-dried ha

, her heels click

aid, wrinkling her nose. "How's the honeymoon,

ther customers-women in pea

ned. She looked fr

her, Miss

he's the family charity case. And

spered. She felt tears pricking h

ne said. She sounded bored. "S

pressed a button

security guard appear

leave," he said, gr

ra cried, reach

ateral for the cleanin

pulled h

neaker squeaked on

r hands

e dragged her towar

was la

ing thrown o

oved her tow

come back,"

elf for the imp

door did

opped

scarred knuckles-was pressed ag

owned and pu

e. It was like pushi

glass, Kei

o

canvas jacket and a b

saw hi

re terr

r. The mechanism

ed back, surpris

tepped

the room seemed t

the dresses. He di

e guard's hand

Her.

it carried across the roo

ly. He looked at Dock, sensing

trembling, tears fi

was clenched so tight a mu

t and pulled

as a wall.

full of wealthy wome

of you ma