hattered on the pol

his face a mask of

ou work f

th and persuasive on th

lous work, of building this relationship, of weaving herself into the fabric of his

let me e

his antique desk – printouts, grainy photos. "Explain that our entir

she knew, was in his pocket.

lie, Ethan. My fe

Were those part of the Aegis briefing too? 'Develop

he faint murmur of guests outside, celebrating his recent

posed to be

it was

et out of my house, out of my life. And tell your

ong-term girlfriend, Sarah Miller, as a manipulative plant for a shadowy organizatio

Daughter of a political dynasty. A smart

ioactive. Ost

k Thorne

l, distinguished, with a slight limp he attributed to a combat inj

a low rumble. "A damn shame what ha

artnership in his "consulting" firm. A w

t see the cage hidde

ntacted her. A new assignment: Mark Th

es. To Mar

Affectionate. Supportive. He rebuilt her confidence,

accidental

a document for their shared work. Curiosity, a sudden

ope

ents, news clippings. Letters, unsent, filled with a yearning so

scue," it was all a l

Sarah? It was to neutralize her. To ensure she wouldn' t be a continued threat or embarrassment to Victoria, who

t garnered so much sympathy? A tool.

for Sarah? A

evel she hadn't thought pos

whispered into the secure

reston wasn't

alize the arrangements

it was for a legitimate cause Mark was championing. At the last minute, Mark, with a smile, h

hen the scan

l businesses. And Sarah Miller' s name was all over the original framework. She was the architect

crucified

' Dinner. An event she was forced to att

d to every major news outlet simultaneously. Displayed on the large s

e with Ethan, watched with a small, satisfied smile. Mark put a "supportive" arm

esolate landscape of her life, had started digging. She found traces, connec

n Sarah, to get t

new job Mark had "helped" her get. Then, a hit-an

d it a tragic acciden

ishing up. He looked at Sarah, her face streaked with tears, her body shaki

, his voice smooth, almost so

ully constructed sorrow, it was just another layer of his deceit.