ross the Loop just as the courthous

hoods. But Julia didn't flinch. She walked down the courthouse steps, heels slic

a motion to freeze Hartle

her min

most wasn't good enough. Now Julia needed to eliminate every remai

returned. Jonath

nipulative soul-had died b

one from her coat

the third ring. "Thi

e have a problem. Jonathan and

o eliminate the c

ut I want

way

back in her pocket, and melted into

he back of a black Lincoln pa

nathan's jacket, but his focus was fixed on t

of grainy security video f

until a shadow moved nea

Vanessa w

tamp read

at, hat pulled low, and m

t me," Van

Jonathan f

rned slightly

the cheek. Th

li

s breath

ipped the console.

set m

d to go

t. Frame you next. We need proof beyond thi

yes. "Then we give her

ng in from the concierge vase in the hallway. Her personal assistant had le

thing fe

ryway. Silence press

o whirring fridge. No low

autiously into

r portrait w

n in Venice, ten years younger, eyes glowing with ambition

to fists. She knew

sn't

decla

was stri

of a parking garage near Wicker Park, staring across

alone," he

a navy-blue trench

this is the b

the prenup and move

aled. "Let'

s the wet concrete. The

with trembling hands

at I asked fo

lap. "Testimonies. Financial links.

face paled. "This'll b

spered. "We want th

ridge Club tomorrow. I'll plant the packet in her briefc

ished," Jo

streaks of pale sunlight

heels echoing like gavel knocks. She wore charcoal-gray silk, a

spresso. Another handed

ed like

stopped her at

need to che

d a brow. "

update t

ed it ov

ard unzipped

t a leath

ned

Hayes' corpse, the forged

r. Addresse

tared

d said carefully, "you'

ence ex

ed from the lounge

what is

aid n

say no

under the lights as two guards e

nfold from the other side of the street,

e board," Van

led slowly. "

ned to him.

"Free-but no

o destroy you, J

a helped him. And we... w

between them, he

ngements behind the glass-peonies

ver loved each oth

ked faintly. "I think

is. "Then maybe now, we start again

han n

through the streets of a city built on secrets, t