the 19th was br

arrogance had convinced him that her outburst in the coffee shop was just a j

rmac of the private av

sleek, black, and intimidating. It looked

to the pilot, Isolde felt a physi

NYC skyline one last time. The Empire State Buil

e SIM card tray popped open. Isolde extracted the small plastic chip, snapped

s and entered the cabin. The interior was an int

rs. Stone," the fl

the name. It soun

you," s

plane taxied to the runway and took of

e arrived at the Gibso

on, dripping with old mo

trice, was wait

entitlement, "you won't be needing those antiques you hoarded in New York. I'll ha

casually inspecting its edge. She looked at Beatrice, then at her stepsister who was smirking

ne might not be a challenge," Isolde said softly, her voice smooth as silk

at are you talking ab

wa

reamed, stu

ugh the center of a decorative apple on the table, burying itself deep in

er's legacy," Isolde enunciated every word. "If anyone in this house dares to even think about

losing soundlessly. Isolde let go of the k

er heart racing. She was alone. T

led out the heavy, secure phone

urned

age was

ant received your resignation and the news that his antique exhibition is

hed her lips for the first time in days. The hunt ha