corner of the exclusive

ndow. The busy streets below looked li

charity gala from last week. Haden had stood in fron

rless smile tw

crypted line of Veronica Cromwell, Manhattan's mos

rang thr

ronica's voice came through, backed by the loud chatter o

Keely cut her off.

lent. The background

nny. Haden is a golde

ent a one-time encrypted link along with a dynamic pa

econds

g shit," Ver

choed through the phone. Veronica ha

our guest room." Keely

ternoon. Be at my off

alked into Veronica's sound

r spine was perfectly straight. The helple

bar cart. She poured two fingers

r head. "Club

lm your nerves,

k," Keely replied. "Alc

sh of respect crossed her eyes. S

eronica's isolated computer. S

Her jaw clenched tight. Her f

p of her club soda.

what's in it,"

get a pathetic severance package," Keely said. "I

ed file. She started scann

on her knees. Her eyes locked onto the glow