red at the gl

eath h

able. Ethan. And a you

te. Ex

home office computer,

almost nev

nstructed world Ethan had b

ried, clawed its

. The on

years ago, before the

tand this. I can handle almost anything, but I cannot handle deceit. If you ever truly lie to me, if you b

a warm, reassuring so

uld I ever lie to you

univ

tering gala. Diamonds cut like stars, a necklace that had bl

cisco Public Library, his trib

utiful book: "100 Reasons Mia Hayes is the Center of

of a rare rose she' d once men

when leukemia had tried to steal her. A

f it,

to her bones, colder t

Her movements were pr

was instant

e, but the burner she' d acquired months a

n to her by an old family acquaintance, someone from her gra

acy con

devoid of emotion. "I need to activate

Ms. Hayes. The initial arrangements are in plac

aid. "Exactly two

er train. Destination: a remote coastal town

we

Napa home. Each object, each room

und at a flea market weeks ago, a beautiful, hand-carved thin

anniversary

gold wedding band, the one she wore every day, lay besid

by a discreet lawyer weeks ago, when the subtle shifts in Ethan' s behavio

pers and both rings insi

he would gi

of apologies about a "crisis at Etern

timate, press-covered anniversary dinner. Another piece

layed her par

, but unmistakable. A smear of bright pink lip

d, her voice carefully

re his easy smile returned. "Oh, that. Just a smudge fro

So easy

e presented him with

e feeling brittle. "It' s a special gift. But

rinkling at the corners. "Two w

romise,"

the carving. "Alright,

d no