didn't

and the distant sound of traffic far below. Dorian's phone scr

d of M

r suitcase and disappear into the

he di

me," s

he just stared at his hands. Those hands that had shaken hers. That had s

said quietly. "Elena Vasq

mach droppe

days after she went missing." He paused. "The police ruled it an accident.

nd of ev

th her that night. On the pier. Arguing." His

d y

on hung be

at her. His eyes wer

who

e thing, Amara. I don't know. I've spent six years trying

ked different. Less like the ruthless CEO

d. "You could have hidden it. I might n

cause if we're going to do this-if you're going to stand by

uiet for a

id, "I'm no

blinked

obe tighter around herself. "You signed a contract

ma

up a hand. "I'm saying I'm not running. N

like she'd grow

hat I expected,"

y, then paused. "Get some sleep, Mr. Blackwood.

murder ac

im. "We'll deal with

ared down t

ark, staring at the spot

eth

that to him in a

oke to the smell of coffe

oman in a sharp red suit. The woman was tall, intimidating, and

id, turning. "You

e. "I yes.

ries." She extended a hand. "I'll be handling

vian's hand, noting the fi

I've prepared talking points. The story is that you met six months ago at a charity gala,

music? I don't know anythi

these. There's a list of composers, your favori

ackstory, complete with photoshopped pictures of

s... el

checked her watch. "You have ninety m

t out of

t Dorian. "She

over, handing her a cup of

ibly.

sed. "Thank you

e took a sip of coffee.

on the arm of t

hat was s

h wasn't easy." A ghost of a smile. "She was a pianist. That's why the

ou lov

ooked down.

didn't

ice was firm

ed him. "Th

He stood. "Get dressed. We have

s room w

in her throat. Through the curtain, she could hear the murmur of r

d beside her, looking impo

N

u're human." He offe

his hand. Th

is eyes see

ok his

ked out

oom e

it true you've been

s this

rue you

hand, and the

smoothly. "I have a brief statement,

ooking out a

. I loved her deeply. Her death was a tragedy, and I have cooperated fully with law enforcement for

ppled throu

, "I want to introduce som

ra, and his expr

mara Chen.

meras

gs in life are." He looked at her, and for a moment, the room disappea

breath

minded herself. This

s looking at her

ions?" Dor

pond to claims that your father, Wei Chen,

heart

t prepare

er hand-just once-and

s," she said, her voice steady. "I don't agre

om exp

erence, they retreat

onto a couch, he

t wa

He sat beside her, looseni

o the enti

part. There's

at him. "

dn't

and Vivian walked

ve a p

nsed. "Wh

her phone. "He's holding a press c

blood

oing to say?

fer a reward. For any information p

face we

aused. "He's going to say his daugh

"That's ins

t's a narrative. And it's going to be e

g to the window. His

he said quietly. "And find out

on it." V

er to Dorian. "

face her. "We

ow

t her for a

hem someth

Amara coul

and found Dorian standing on the

pping her coat tigh

utiful,"

s lo

t him. "You'

to her.

ing parts." She met his eyes. "But righ

ared

nd touched her face. His finge

gerous," he

hy

you make

get

his isn

eath c

s apart, the city light

ian's ph

answering it. Hi

" Amar

und something. In the rive

ha

cked. "My engagement ri

pau

covered