ntina's SoHo studi

hts illuminated every flaw. The patchy dye job in her hair-streaks of green and

ed like

foot. He was watching her like a hawk. Every five minu

e posture, stood behind Elise, holding a lock of purpl

at is the theme this time? 'Dump

d leather collar around her neck. The hea

was quiet but firm. "Wash it all of

rows shot up. "A

adl

he solvent! Get the deep conditione

ants s

d, rinsed, and polished. The chemica

y pulled from her head, S

wn her back. Her face was scrubbed clean of makeup. Her skin was pale, almost transluc

fragile. An

restroom," Elise

forward. "I'll

tall bathroom. No windo

nside and lo

ed toilet lid and pulled off her le

lat object wrapped in pl

swiped it from a distracted assistant's bag e

er

tandard OS. It booted into

nt that would leave no trace, its memory set to wipe clean on shutdown. She then routed her connection th

n: N

swo

forum loade

s: AC

back," sh

ssage: Accepting urgen

econds, her

ere have

breach on Pent

rt on S

gh three proxies in Russia and Brazil. She sent an anonymous

your transaction server. Patc

e

hid the phone back in

aiting with a r

alentina said.

length. High neck, long sleeves, but with a slit that went

y t

Elise stepped out o

The dark green made her eyes pop. She looked like

nd over her heart.

ed and closed. He fumbled for h

i

later, Sterlin

red it o

sounded strained. "Now. And buy the dress. Bu

e sm

o, Sterling trailing behind

ewalk, a white Porsche scre

yes ste

look like an innocent angel. She was clearly here to gloat. She had

dewalk. Her eyes sl

ng? Is Elise inside? I heard sh

ped into J

o, co

the woman in the green dre

dened. Her

e pavement. Hot coffee splas

ered. "What... what h

, towering over Jill in her heels. "You seem shaky,

ke a grimace. "You look... different. Better. I'm so glad. Gra

about the trust fund, Jill. I know about Eddie. Enjoy

tep back, nearly slippin

her. She got int

, her phone buzzed

Received

r war chest. Now, she ju