the large living room sofa. She had not turned on a single lamp. She sat

ad beeped. The heav

l coat. He reached out and flipped the wall switch. Th

there. His eyes flickered with exhaustion. He r

cket and pulled out a small, square box. The Sotheby's logo was

ce was low, trying to sound reasonable. "The piece had a complicated ownership history tied to a

ce sparkled against the black velvet. "I saw this and

nd. She looked at his face. H

r voice was flat, devoid of any emotion. "Every time you humi

she pushed back like this. He unbutto

sofa. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Giselle is alone in the city. Sh

gh. The sound held no humor. It was pure

ting. Brigham stood up. "I am not doing th

ently against the glass table. The screen lit up

the phone and a

erical sobbing coming from the speaker. "Brigham! I can't bre

ce. He didn't even hesitate. He grabbed

you walk out that door right now,

oorknob. He did not turn around. His k

ttack. Her life might be in dan

The heavy door slammed shut behind him. T

rough her chest, so sharp she gasped for air. It felt like an

wrapped her arms around her legs. She waited for the tears to come.

e was calm. The chaotic pain was gone, re

down a medium-sized suitcase. She packed three pairs of

her. She ignored the velvet display cases filled with diamonds

box with the pink diamond. She walked to the kitchen and dropped i

suitcase out of the penth

ow cab. "Take me to the Columbia Univer

contacts, found Brigham's name, and hit 'Block Caller'. She turne