r imprisonment, Emilia w

t planned. She cooperated with the

good behavior" to Delano. The resp

hem into a false sense of security. She knew a direct confro

the roses. She was mapping the grounds, memorizing the blind spo

ast corner, shaded by a massive old oak tree. The camera t

ere without suspicion, and she

t friend, Zoe Hayes. B

ght her meals. The girl was young, her

ntally" knocked a bowl of s

l of concern. "Please, let me make it up to you

lia moved quickly. She retrieved a tiny, tightly fol

e maid's body stiffened, her eyes widening abruptly, and her breath caught for a moment. Instinctively, she moved to reach for her

r Friday night at nine, by the oak tree at the northeast c

essage in this manner-nor would she have suddenly, after so long without contact, sent out such a cryptic request for a meeting. She would recognize that this was not merely an appointment, but a cry f

yes darted toward the cash. She gave a

izing. Emilia didn't know i

s remained unchanged. H

mplained of a headache and

wear and arranged pillows under the duvet

guards' shift change, sh

her knowledge of the grounds to stay in the shadows, avoid

at oak tree. The wa

m of a car engine on the ro

and began to climb. Years of Pilates had given her a qu

g the rough stone at the top of the wal

Please c

ead of security. His voice

directions erupted, illuminating her and

d down. The ground belo

ad fa

d down. Her compliance had be

other to show up. The humiliation of it was worse than any

e outside. The balcony door was chained and pad

bars. There was no despair in her eyes. Only the terrifying

l methods w

ve to use an un

to the elegant, sharp silver letter

ible plan began t