ed its way through the blinds in Vespera Vance's cramped kitchen and landed right on

irections like she'd just licked an electrical socket. Her hands shook

e scarily calm. "Lysander Th

every appliance in the place put together. He busied himself with wiping down their absurdly fancy espresso machi

you too, wife.

"The seal's broken. The safety plastic is gone. Someone and by someone, I

steam wand. "I had a cup of Earl Grey at four t

e on a special flight from France! The bees that made it get

ommate, I think a teaspoon of flower spit is well within my rights especially since I

m clock started screeching from the other room. She checked her phone cracked screen,

es, yanked on a lumpy brown sweater and trousers three sizes too big, and crammed h

from your stipend!" she ye

e creeping across his face. He pulled out

her end said. "The Vance extraction team

ty. "My wife's dealing with corporate nonsense today. If any

bout that French h

g up behind him. "Send a crate to the safe

ingers a blur on the keyboard but her brain out to lunch. She avoided glancing up at her

in cheap cologne and even cheaper power. He specializ

k and nearly knocking over her coffee. "Regional logistics data is c

k, then Henderson's smug face. The i

ption started when someone overrode the encryption keys at 11:45 P

troot. The whole row s

like aftershave and fear. "You'll stay late. Re-enter every one of th

desk, rattling her cubicle. Ve

, gloved hand shot out and locked

ical intimidation of staff," someone said a voice more ve

, clipboard at his side, perfectly calm. Except for t

?" Henderson sputtered, tryi

orate smile. He squeezed just enough for everyone to hear a worrisome pop. "Mr. Hender

!" Henderson whimpered,

dly whisper. "But check your banking apps first. The IRS gets curious abo

his bruised wrist and disappeared toward the ex

ght her face might split. "Holy motherboard...

ession unreadable. "I'm a thorough security gu

et and slapped it onto his clipboard. "Bonus.

, Mrs. Thorne." His eyes met hers, intense enough to make her pu

nced down. An anonymous t

family always collects its debts. See