like a statue. It's t

th irritation as he urged the young woman, before striding pu

ont of a crowd, she kept close b

raised his wine glass. "Evan, it's been ages since I last saw you

fully landed on the old man, and his voice was as chilly as t

His bony hand clapped down on Kathryn's shoulder with

ll be suffering in the hospital if I didn't reach out. All I want

al, though inside she was almost

the pitiful patriarch so convincingly,

to Kathryn, catching the faintest trac

Is that how it is? I see your elder granddaughter is quite

rled, a flicker of

oth family, you know. Kathryn's always had

it. I used to scale trees just for a taste of wild peaches. I guess big-city liv

up like a stray, no etiquette, no rules. I hop

h a jolt, sending a ri

knowing looks, some covering th

ense cough, fighti

will be waiting for you in the study late

ened on her wine glass,

a summons to t

eable smile. "Absolutel

he beginning. The old man would do whate

ryn withdrew into silen

and she hugged herself, the sudde

cross her shoulders, still hol

ffened and

sed to his ear, another glass of wine

van just cover her

eady has caught Evan's attentio

ning, sharp and unmistakable. Ever

ent tonight. Instead, they stood embarrassed, feeling eve

er, but surrounded by watchful eyes, the

another sly comment to Kathryn. No

with contempt for her hid

y through the garden,

now. Several guests even seized the chance to

oached, bowing and quietly inviting

excuse and quietly slipp

rting to sense somethin

udy, he found himsel

tly cool on this autumn night, ye

, the subordinate delivering a report paused

sucked in a shaky breath, fighting back the di

gnature, and he hadn't hesitated when the Palmers su

his work, an uneasy

dy wasn't reacting normal

loosened his tie, the heat

went

been th

e something

he laptop shut, the sound echoing through the qu

l heavy. For a moment, he swayed, then forced himself uprig

from outside. Evan braced himself against the wall, forcing slow, deliberate brea

Martha's study, pa

imposing figure w

em a stark, feverish red, while the rest of

ething-and whatever it was, it was strong. If she left him h

shoulders-his coat. She didn't hesitate. Striding for

. He pulled away sharply,

s what the Palmers have come to?" They didn't even wait fo