the polished black lea

federal agents shifted uncomfortably.

ight. His face flushed a dark, violent red. He raised his hand,

the wail of military sirens

doors of the manor were shoved open. Four Army of

ent of Defense clipboard, stepping

voice flat and bureaucratic. "We

ck military body bag by its nylon handles. The thick rubber drag

nto the sofa, pressing both hands over her

erial numbers stenciled on the side of the black bag. Her f

hed the lapels of his suit, a cr

rs. "As the lead investigator, I need t

e Captain. The Captain gave a stiff n

He grabbed the heavy metal zipper a

suffocating, putrid wave of charred meat, me

ned her head away, her

urned the back of her throat. But she forced

onized husk. The facial featur

her-gloved hand. He tapped the

Issac mocked, his voice echoing in the silent

the tether holding

o Issac's chest, knocking him off balance. She threw herself ove

ng up at Issac with eyes full

hissed, her voice vibrating w

eyes darkened. He stepped close to Annetta, lea

ice a slick, oily threat. "You and the brat. I have a penthouse in Ge

gloved finger tracin

nausea crashe

use, her fingers closing around the sharp, decorative

rove the two-inch steel pin of the brooc

. The brooch stayed embedded in his flesh. Thick, dark blood

" Issac

le. A heavy knee dropped onto her spine, driving the air from her lungs. Her cheek

but she smiled. A co

carrying across the room, "would rather die i

a. A flicker of deep, undeniable

cha?" Cristina said, her voice resonating with the cold, bureaucratic power of a former Senator's wife. "Do not think you are untouchable. If you turn thi

oked at the Army officers watching him.

them to the federal holding cells. Put them on

ristina. Together, the two women took the little girl turned their ba