Ashle

three days. Or maybe four. The morphi

practiced, silent efficiency. They wouldn't meet my eyes. When I asked to borrow

isoner in

estic accident. The truth-the shove, the marble fireplace, the

dal to fade. And then they would come back with their pens a

ceiling, trying to piece together

ight have listened-Arthur-had stood there in silence while his wif

I was too em

nurse. A man in an expensive suit and gold

ow, meaningless bow. "I am Wal

turned my head on the

ing when they

or a second. "I'm glad we c

ut being invited. One assistant handed him a leath

w why I'

. The one that takes every asset I have and s

fraction. "You've

your client's wife

the bed beside me. "Then you understand the situa

at it. "I'm

ley. Your reputation is in ruins. Every tabloid in the city has your photo. The public believes yo

ing each word l

your mother's memory. And we both

g it from a lawyer, delivered with the calm certainty of a man rea

er again?" My voice came out thin, but

withdrew a second file-thicker, he

landed with a weight that k

into the late Mrs. Ashley. Birth records. Photographs. Testimon

y hands were trembli

the illegitimate daughter of a nightclub owner with a criminal record. She

words came ou

, Miss Ashley. Before sh

id sh

ced through my skull, but I forced mysel

mud. But I will not let you erase what she was. She was a good woman. A kind

ething that might have

your hospital bills. Or stop the press from finding out where you go next. Or

bed, his voice dr

file so deep no one will ever find it. Refuse, and I promise you-by this time next week

slap. My vision blurr

"I'll return tomorrow. Same time. I

is assistants trailing b

you the day after tomorrow. After that, you're on your own. No

icked shut

silence, staring at

a yellowed photograph, young and smi

ar the file to pieces. I wanted to

n't even li