staircase, a steady, unbothered rhythm agains

up, she

y on the polished oak railing. She looked down at t

from her face, replaced by

m, sharp and precise. "How about the keys to those untraceable offshore shell

The color drained from his face, leaving him a

and Elva. "What... what is she talking about

ut a front to bleed my mother's legacy dry and treat m

him to the sofa. "As of today, I am done playi

fear of being exposed sn

e blue-and-white porcelain teacup from the table a

ht below Elva's boots. It exploded into a dozen razor-s

ight past Elva's leg, tearing a small

idn't hitch. She just stood there, star

spit flying from his lips, "I will make sure you are blacklisted from ev

athetic, impotent rage like she wa

n him and continued up the stairs, leaving

nd pushed open the door to her bedroom-a cra

threw the deadbolt, locking out the ste

back onto the sofa, clutchi

bbing his back. Her eyes na

isten to reason, we have to force her. Tomorrow morning, I'll slip something into her breakfast

her head up. A sick, excited grin spread across her fa

ark, vicious light. He clenche

t hatching below, Elva walked over to the small

arriage certificate. Her thumb gently brushed

gle, precise command to a highly classified contact: 'Pull all of Warren Schmitt's gray assets and offshore transfers. I need the final

holding it up to the moonlight. The gem fractured the l

to her finger. Her jaw set

, plunging the room into dar