ed against the window and gazed out at the estate grounds. A car

ter bedroom opened. Edmund tossed his keys and a jacket that smelled of dust and exhaust onto a velv

e you s

used for a junior analyst who

at line. "I was waiting for

for a second. He had forgotten. A flicker of something-n

logy empty. "Had an important

tion of the test, or who was with him. It

a final, futile attempt. "Edmund, we ne

o say something wh

screen. He immediately held up a hand to

the balcony. His voice, when he spoke

did great. For a first time on the track, t

d to her husband praise another woman with an enthusiasm she had

milla, in her small pajam

or, waiting for her father, withou

o his arms. He kissed her cheek. "My little champion.

d Edmund's neck. "Yes! Daddy, Auntie Janessa is

remained impassive. She was responsible for Camilla's meals, her schooli

father's neck. Her voice was small,

e Janessa so much. C

the room

r, a reflexive, panicked glance. It was the first

sion vacant. As if she hadn't heard. But Edmund saw her hand by he

ritation washed over hi

he muttered, his voice strained. He ca

t again. Only the t

lanation. "She's just a kid, Chris. She does

oper cut him off. Her voice was the

d out of the room. S

er' had been dismantled by the i

s chest. He was used to her quiet compliance. This cold, resolute departure

She sat down at the computer,

e". Her family's lawyer. A man whose loyalty

vorce agreement she

ontained only three wor

line was a d

Immediate