Anya moved l

the side gate of the Sharp estate during the morning grocer

The security cameras had predictable patterns, patterns she had memorized over years of feeling watc

the second floo

d staircase, the sound of voices fr

ing tones. And another voice, a man's, low and

large marble sculpture, peer

oney that made the Sharps' ostentatious wealth look cheap. Anya recognized him from the society pages: Grant Ste

off her jewelry collection. "And this one is from Paris," she cooed, her vo

eening. "Her engagement to your brother, Hayes, is the talk

ere distant. His fingertips tapped a restless rhythm o

e meltdown yesterday," Falon pouted, turning to Grant. "She's just a charity cas

rateful wretch, Grant. We fed and clothed her for ten years, and she repaid

perceptible motion. He clearly d

gusting tapestry of lies woven to make them look magnanimous and her look pathet

when a flash of light from

eath h

ss was a familiar butterfly. Antique silver, with deli

ther's

led with smug pride as she touched the butterfly. "T

ya's head, so loud it

rlo

mother's. H

ad of her con

ulpture. Her movements were silent

utting through their frivolou

e it

ck. They saw a girl in simple, dark clothes, her face pale but

face contorting in a mask of fury. "Y

ched the brooch. A flicker of pure panic cross

He looked from the girl Veronica had described as an "ungrateful wretch"

Her focus was entirely on Falon. She

d, her voice dangerously calm. "Take it of

ly turned to Grant, her eyes welling up with practiced tears, her lo

She's insane! This is my family's

nya's unwavering stare and Falon's theatrical disp

She took another step closer. "Then tell me, Falon. Tel

he air, a guillotine p

from Falon's fac

cup down with a soft click. A flicker of genuine interest

broken only by the frantic ticking of a grandfath