into the air. They swung open silently, admitting the convoy

't seem to fall.

ounted the seconds. It took five minutes j

fountain. A marble statue of a woman pouring wate

anor said, ope

neakers looked like insult

s in black and white uniforms. Men in suits. The

s Estelle," a man

r and a tuxedo that fit him p

homes, when adults lined up like this, it meant inspection

motion. "I... I'm clean. I

h the line of staff. A maid n

ipped, revealing deep, aching pity. He stepped fo

ect, Miss," h

cond SUV pulled u

jumpe

was a scarred, muscular brute in a world of porcelain and si

" Estell

e dog. She dropped to her knees on the dr

kay, bo

n, leaning his heavy weight against her thigh.

Thump

the top of the sta

e front do

's head. He wore a three-piece suit, even though he was in his own home. His whit

ridges. Th

thinner. Even Arthur s

ike lasers. They swept over the cars, the staff, his son, and finally

ht of his gaze. It wa

ook. It was the

put Buster between her and the old man. She used the dog as a shi