rom the lies layered like dust over every surface. Veronica sat on the edge

aid a word sinc

lly whispered. "Is the

to believe it. Because if you believe the child is his, he con

elt elusive-jus

-

e's

e city glittering like a web behind her. A birthday gift wrapped in sleek black ribbon

never o

ition of The Art of War. Even a private violin

ering wa

herself, watching a surveillance feed

-

er

ed as an old friend of Kelvin's from university. She and

ered over mimosas. "Kelvin wears masks

urrowed. "And how

tching. Ask him about the charity fund i

twisted. "What

t not be the only mon

-

la's B

morning-tea, croissants, and

, V," she said. "You

who was Veronica's friend was also secretly developing affectionat

continued. "You've done everything for him, an

ed either," Veronic

e loved you in his own way. Kelvin does

e tea down. "Wh

beat too long. "Becau

looked when Kelvin's name was mentioned

m," Veronica

did. Once. Until I realized h

-

s Nex

side the city, watched the

pted comms. "Just a little more pressure an

the baby?"

me. He's the hook. And once she's min

-

ica's

ty crib, the USB of the doctored footage in

ey all b

e be tellin

zzed. An unknown

seen. Room 512. Prague. The girl. A

around the phone. Enough. Tom

over. Not

r. A threa

-