thin silk of Claire's dress. She pulled the trench coat tighte

er's confused look at her attire. It was barely 9:00

ard inside was just unlocking the heavy glass doors.

ippers. A coat over wh

head, making a shooing

Centurion card from her pocket and

licked agai

eyes went wide. The color drained from his face. He fumbled

e stammered, bowing low. "

a glance. The air inside was co

over. Her eyes flicked over Claire's outfit with judgment, but she saw

help you t

in display case. She po

phire drop earrings. And the

cooed. "Would you like to try

Her voice was fla

linked. "Al

I stu

am. Righ

to the glass counter. It

rocessed a transaction worth more than a house-Claire wandered t

She handed the card back with two hands, like a reli

from the counter. She scribbled an address. "Send them here. Os

th fell open. "

walke

next. Then Be

ht shoes that weren't her size. She bough

she'd picked up at a bo

ivity detected. $500,000 at Ha

gnore

it underground pool hall, Bra

brated again

nsaction Approv

a mineral water, looked at hi

s at five million. Now six

the cue back smoothly. Crack. The ei

his phone and grinned. "She's testing the liquidity of my assets

burning

eply to the bank. Authorize all cha

nue, Claire stopped

is time, she didn

ound it. A deep, blood-red velvet tuxedo jacket. It was loud. It was ag

told the tailor.

he rec

sical evidence that could be traced. It was too

. "Just send it to The Pierre. Pent

hone

this time. The scre

s, visualizing the mask she had worn for ten

thumb acros

voice pitched up an octa

re the hell are you? The stylist has been h

the shop window. Her eyes were cold

"I was just... picking up a sur

a patronizing tone. "Okay. Okay, sweetie. Just get back here. Tonight is

said. "I'm doing

rl. Hurr

ne wen

opped off her face instantly. She look

rrying only one small shopping

up to the curb, cutting off he

sn't

gnized him. Tony. Derrick's driver. The man who would, in three y

of the car. H

or. "Mr. Osborn sent me to pick you up. He s

offer. It w

e of her shopping bag. H

tful of him

. The lock clicked down