d not just arrive;

, a woman in her sixties with hair like a steel helmet

the wheelchair. Elsie was standing next to h

Hardin sai

cheeks. "You poor dear. The press is awful. But don't worry, we bought the boutique's

ked. "Oh.

urning to Hardin. "About

" Hardin sa

he West Wing. Elsie is in the

space," H

your arrhythmias are unpredictable at night. You cannot be alone in that w

ic button," H

t could freeze lava. "Elsie, you are moving into Hardin's su

lsie. Do something

ged. She's

ond villain's lair. It was all black marble, chrome

e bed was a king-sized slab

sofa," Elsie said,

door locked. "My mother has cameras in the hallway. If

We share

"Just stay on your side. If you cr

is dead,"

placed her bright pink face wash next to his clinical, gr

He saw the pink

is t

e wa

... l

ardin. It won

to a drawer. Elsie reached for it at the s

touch m

ed into e

pretended to. He stumbled b

ie was pressed against his chest. His arms

e steam from the shower he had

was looking down. His fa

ain. That hear

methin

ding her. His hands were firm on her waist. His thum

anymore. It was about the man and the woman

ze dropped

hitched. She di

.." she

on her lips seemed t

he hit the shower door. His eyes were wild, b

ing finger at the door. "Distance. Keep y

mmed the bathroom

her waist where his hands ha

ealized. "He hates m