ing dark and expensive-cutting through the stale air of champagne and des

ilence. She looked directly at Mr. Rhodes. "I wouldn't miss th

ot father. She had just defined him for the entire

orced a laugh, "you're finally her

over the white dress, the perfect hair, and settled on the bl

ingertip, a dark speck against Coral's pale skin, hovered just above the central sa

clutch the necklace, a gesture of pure, instinctual guilt. "It was

Oh? Is that so, Mr. Rhodes?" Her voice was light, conversational, yet every person within earshot le

d through the crowd. The

e you talking about? Don't ruin my party!" he hissed, his voice a low, vicious growl. He tried to cover, turning to Coral with

with a cold, clear precision that sliced through the ballroom. "Joking? Mr. Rhod

seem to remember who the owner is," she said, her thumb hovering

, his face turning a blotchy r

Coral, whose face was now a mask of terror. "Yes, officer," Aislinn said, her voice calm

her lips as she faced her stunned family. "

, his composure shattering completely. "This is

d larceny against each other, Mr. Rhodes." She paused, letting the words sink in. "Don't worry," she added, her voice d

"This is just the first piece of what w

und of an approaching siren. It grew louder and louder, a wail t