ee

n, surrounded by the smell of antiseptic and the hum of fluorescent lights. Holden's

wasn't

rubs were damp with sweat, and the look on his face

everything we could. Her

numbness she had felt in the rain returning, spreading throug

he service, but K. Holloway was a constant, silent presence. He handled the logistic

thought of her mother's last pained breaths, and then she thought of Garrick's cruel laughter. The two images fused in her mind, and the profound sadness began to curdle into a cold,

iel walked up to Holloway in

" she said. Her voice was hollow, bu

an has authorized it. I'll

I don't need him to fight it for me. Not yet

hen nodded. "They'll

eet and looked up at the brick townhouse. It looked the sa

the biometric lock. The light blinked green. Ga

nd her, leaving a small gap. She barely noticed. Bridget O

Till

ce. Bridget stepped aside, intimida

g. As she reached the top, she heard laughter co

m. Three large boxes sat in the corner, already packed. Sh

She didn't touch the designer

other's belongings. A few old photo albums, a string

r father had left her, an object of quiet beauty that Garrick had always dismissed as a worthless piec

p bag from the vanity-a reflex from years of trave

ing the smooth, cool ce

ell are you

ay, his face flushed with anger. Lacey was right behind him, draped in

" Ariel said calmly, not

He stepped into the room, his eyes narro

eady, unnerving calm. Then, she reached into her poc

d the room. G

u're a hen that can't lay eggs... Tak

Garrick's face drained of color.

her voice low and dangerous. "But if you or Lacey come near me again, I promi

Holden. This recording would destroy the

malice. She couldn't sta

side table where a silver coffee pot s

hinking Lacey was goi

s target w