ry

agne glass down with a sharp clin

said coolly. "But

and pulled out a black velvet box. "Whatever. Just appraise

e box acros

ved fingers brushed t

left m

e. It was shaped like a fern,

e my mother had worn on her wedding day. It was supposed to be in the s

geous, isn't it? A gift from my fiancé. Well, technically,

mble. I clenched them

this. Which meant Claire had taken it, looting my former

y eye. I knew exactly what to look for-a tiny chip on the unders

ed it

t was.

as r

was ice. "Mid-century. Clunky. Not very..

age. It belonged to Blake's

o hard the metal dug

ntal instability. She killed her own baby, you know. Terminated it at seven mont

my vision. *Killed her baby?* Is that what

cklace back into

ppraise thi

"Excuse me? Do yo

ouble meaning hung heavy in the air. "This

turned red. "H

the private

, checking his watch, his broad, a

mething happened to the c

. The anger vanished, replaced by a

. "This woman! She insulted me! Sh

He looked past her, straigh

od fr

held my hands. The defiant tilt of my chin. I could see a sudden

stepped closer, completely igno

ribs, a frantic bird trying t

es, Mr. Knight," I said. "

ed to