ests drove away. Amy walked out of the hall,

d draped it over Howard's shoulders. She tried to keep her

corner, waiting for the

a black Maybach gli

at license plate. She knew the custom tint on

heby's auction house. A valet in a crisp unifor

earing a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. The s

Instead, he turned back to the open c

a long, black velvet glove. It rested delicately

r shawl around her shoulders. Giselle looked up at him and smiled. Br

. Howard stood right beside he

y red. The hand gripping his wood

ross-border conference call. The lie she had told fifty people tonight to protect his image. It

stopped behind them. They followed Amy's gaze. A c

that. P

t like a needle driving

he concrete. "I am going to kill

"No, Dad. Please. Don't." She shook her head frantically. The tears she had

atch. She could not let these people watc

ttention instantly. He turned his head and squinted across the four lanes of traffic. A sudden flash from a passing tourist's camera illuminated the opposite corner for a

mile vanished from his face. A flash of pure pan

Giselle's waist. He took half a step

his line of sight and saw Amy crying. A tiny, triumphan

Her ankle suddenly gave out. She collapsed si

ught her by the waist before she hit the pavement. He held

ked back across the stre

f a yellow taxi. She slammed the door

irror. She watched the reflection of the stre

She leaned her head a

e said, his voice thick with sorrow. "Stop doing this to yourself. Stop bendin

houlder. She opened her mouth and let out a silent, agonizing so