tal blinds of the kitchen, casting sharp l

was still wrapped in thick white gauze, making the simple motion of cracking an egg slightly awkward. She wince

no visible designer labels. He stopped at the edge of the kitchen, his

ence as Karli expertly slid the fried eggs and toasted bread o

light and strictly business. She told him breakfast was her way of offsetting

r of surprise in his eyes behind the rim of the mug. He gave

rabbed her canvas bag, and walked out the front door, he

busy street below, his eyes tracking Karli's small figure unti

d against a specific wooden panel on the bookshelf. The biometric scanner beeped s

nt VIP garage. The doors slid open to reveal a

avy rear door. Darnell stepped inside. The relaxed, quiet roommate va

ssly into the chaotic Chicago traffic, heading straight

drop-off. Julian Croft was already standi

e security details. Julian immediately began reading the morning briefing

pen the massive mahogany double doors to his office and

e desk. He tapped the cover, noting that it was the latest j

d tapping the glass. The temperature in the room s

on the first page. A cruel, razor-sharp

eak out on the back of his neck. He hesitantly asked if he shoul

n. He pressed the nib hard against the thick paper and drew a m

of any human warmth. He ordered Julian to cut off every single line

had triggered this execution, but he nodded sharply, turn

Karli walked out of the glass doors of a medical supply co

fered her a seat. The moment the background check flagged he

t of failure down into her stomach. She walked to a rusted ven

er eyes caught the massive LED billb

The camera panned over a fleet of luxury cars, briefly showing

ld didn't have to worry about background checks. She tossed the empty plastic b

e down so hard the plastic cracked. He grabbed a priceless antique vase from

happened. Warren gripped his hair, his face red and sweating. He screamed that the

eltdown on the screen built into the partition. He watched the vase shatter. He pressed the