rapped around a cup of coffee that had long gone cold

to surrender, agreeing to go to the hotel, but insiste

gn compliance, placate Beverl

expensive suit, and sat opposite Holl

erley stirred her own coffee, her voi

managing a weak "Mmm," a

across the table. "This is a declaration relinquishi

through her. It was all so clear now. Beverl

Sign it, and I'll give you the photo negat

the table. Finally, she picked

her purse, a satisfied smile on her face.

ble. You need to have some energy

m bells screamed in her head. Th

" she said, pushi

is, don't be ungrateful. Do you

Hollis, and grabbed her chin in a

up the glass and poured the co

g and sputtering, but mo

p form with the detached cruelty of someone squashi

and weakness washed over he

suits entered the café, hoisted Hollis up

ding, a primal survival instinc

dug her fingernails deep into her own palm. The sharp

stopping in front of The St. Regis, o

d through a service entrance and into an

plush wool. Hollis's heart hammered against

for an escape. Her palm was

oor of 803. One of them rais

hall, the door to room 808 was slightly ajar, as i

her onl

s summoned the last ounce of her strength. She wrenched herself free from t

he ajar door, stum

ried out, her voice

lack, and she collapse