nd was the low, mechanical hum of the air conditioning vent above the

esolute face, looking for a crack in her armor, a sign that

n of being caught by Celeste. He abruptly released his clenched

up and meticulously adjusted his left cufflink,

ing with venom. "If you want to go pla

sed, looking over his shoulder with eyes as cold as ice. "Wh

ding there, her hand still on the key, her smile razor-s

," Celeste purred. "Yo

arm through Hamilto

her. The adrenaline crashed, and her knees suddenly f

cal scent of the bleach. She forced her lungs to

f the closet, completely ignoring the two nurses who w

Resources department. She pushed open the glass d

aw Aimee, her eyes darted nervously. She quickly

ow sticky note directly in front of Ms. Pierce.

imee, I just received a call from upper management

he opened her browser and pulled up the N

the legal right to terminate my employment at any second. If you attempt to hold my file or delay my final

rned to her computer, her acrylic nails clacking rapidly

ermination agreement. Ms. Pierce slid the pape

esitating, she signed her name at the botto

from her collar. She dropped it onto the signed

official HR seal and handed Aimee her car

nd slid it into her backpack. She

marched through the pristine lobby, her eyes f

ors and stepped out onto the Manhattan sidewalk.

air, thick with exhaust and hot asphalt. Her bank account was nearly empty,

drafted several applications to public hospitals the nigh

rged into the rushing crowd of pedestria

man inside, who watched her every move through a telephoto lens. Hi