streak in the dust, then wiped it on her jeans. She caught her reflection in a cracked mirror on the wall. The girl stari

oked like a relic-a heavy, black, brick-like phone, reminiscent of a model from t

r from memory. It

voice on the other end was young

erson, her most tr

plied, her voic

unning a high-level background inquiry on you. Th

t him look. He won't find anything." She'd built the f

grandfather crossing her mind. Accepting thi

swept in, the head housekeeper Mrs. Davis trailing behind he

her nose. "God, it smells disgusting in here. I

id, her tone fawning. "I've already instru

k canvas. She watched them, her sile

Cat got your tongue? Did you really think signing a paper wo

e, her voice soft.

n aback. "What kind

manicured hands. "Your nail technician is skilled," she said, h

ic confused Candis. "Wha

's eyes. "Pink. It symbolizes innocence, pu

ing the carefully crafted image of a sweet, perfect girl. It was the one

nnocent facade, and Arlie had just shattered it with a single, devas

s the head of staff, you entered a resident's room without knockin

this girl was a pushover, a powerless waif

ar traced a path through her perfect makeup. With a choke

scurried ou

lies. She hadn't raised her voice, hadn't revealed a single thing about herself. She'd won with

s house, she thoug