hick, heavy sheets, turning the Manhat

ribeca. She pressed her thumb against the biometric scanner

ooth. The air smelled of aged

he wasn't smiling. A half-empty m

me that first text with the photos," Alia said, staring at the condensation on Clara's glass. "It

trench coat. She reached into the env

different hedge fund managers to get

A black-and-white photograph was

heekbones high and harsh. His eyes, even i

letters beneath the pho

est tightened as if a heavy band

bott," Alia

's a ghost, Alia. He specializes in hostile takeovers. He guts l

st of bankrupt compan

cipal planning project?" Alia asked. Her fingers tr

ivors," Clara said. "If he wan

s. A memory hit her

d been standing near the bar. She had looked

ision. She later heard he had asked her companion who she was, having already known of her reputation as Legatum's fiercest project manager. Even from

trembling slightly. She placed them

be this week," Alia said. "A g

"He doesn't do press.

table. She picked it up, rea

all just texted. Dangelo's legal team is signing

ck. The wooden legs scre

ck into the envelope and

Alia said, her voice tight. "I have

d out of

he wind whipped the cold water against

, bending the metal spokes. She abandoned it, r

ing. Her clothes clung wetly to her skin. She started the engine, the