in the face. She didn't groan. She was already awake. She zipped the suitcase s

r. Before she coul

fee and a velvet jewelry box. She was wearing a pastel su

. "I brought you a goodb

flipped the lid open. Inside sat a diamond neckl

cre, the clarity VS2 at best. It was a

, her voice dripping with sy

the box on the desk, right next to he

a in a hug that felt more like a tackle. Ophelia stiffened, smelling

, Ophelia's left hand, which had been hanging limply at her side, moved with the speed of a striking snake. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal of the necklace in the open box on the desk, palming it. As Mia squeezed tighter in a mockery of affection, Ophelia's hand slid under Mia's arm, deposit

. "Get off me. You smel

er heel on the rug. She went

screamed.

trical. It

she'd been waiting in the hall. "What did you d

ching her ankle. "I just gave her

of her suitcase and hoisted her tote bag on

elled, pointing at the desk.

y. Her face was twisted in ugly tri

Opheli

"Richard, get up here! Sh

thless, his tie half-d

lace!" Susan pointed a manicured fi

a warrant," Ophe

voice deepening with authority he didn't possess. "O

ulting. She dropped the suitcase. She dropped the tote ba

u don't find what you're looking

e bag onto the floor. Medical books, cheap t-shirts, and toiletries spille

out a diamo

asped. "I told

fter everything we gave you? T

fingers. It was identical to the one in the box on

Susan hissed. "I

ress would have a field day. 'Barnes Foster Daughter Arres

ha

rve a dime. Consider it restit

blink. She reached into the medical book on the

now it. He had no idea that the entire Barnes enterprise was just a subsidiary, a small,

ard said, pocke

er neck, smirking. "Bye, Ophelia.

up her books, dusting them off

e me," she said. Her voice wasn't loud, but i

all, and toward the stairs. The Barnes family followed he

stopped. She didn't go to the front

ou going?" S

ed in front of the large, industrial trash

ed into h

amily

ed out a dia

She was wearing the necklace. But

a whispere

. Her finger hovered over the red button. She smiled, and