n front of her. Dressed in pearls and a designer coat

rfe

"I see . . . a conflict in your life," she said softly. "Something weighi

s! It's my husband," she whispered. "He's been dis

up the moment the woman walked in-her th

via said, holding her gaze.

°The phone calls. The late nights at the

inds gave away when they were emotional. "He's under pressure,

y has been struggling for mon

r. "Yes. He's worried about providing for y

, offering a tissue. "Trust me," she said gently. "He

h more intentional questions, more images flashed-a password scribbled on a notepad, a jewelr

since Sylvia started c

tore crystal ball, a cheap scarf tied around her head. People

gift turned it in

ets, their routines. It wasn't just about telling them what th

anny, who had a talent for slipp

back when she was still living in the alley. "You're good at

eir first successful job-a house Sylvia had pic

lvia read her clients, pulling out details about their h

h the woman had given her for the reading. "Her husband's at the office, working la

"You're scary,

mirked.

hip, she had managed to

and a stove that barely worked-but it was hers. She had cl

hing was

chic act and the extra cash from the robberies, Sylvia knew

t Marcus, it f

h. He wasn't much older than her, maybe eighteen, but he carried himsel

ou think," Marcus had said

d. "What are yo

two stalls back. Rookie move, by the way. You should've

laughed. "Relax, kid. I'm not goin

ght her

smug grin and easy confidence. He was a thief, but not like Danny. Wher

he asked one night, leaning a

an eyebrow. "I

library and led her to a c

a treasure trov

IDs, and how to create convincing paper trails. Articles about scam

. How to change her appearance with makeup, wigs, and clothing. How to

," he told her. "You just have to

quick study. She could tell exactly what peopl

done, she had five d

a college student with a bubbly p

ich kids spent their parents' money, boutique stores with distracted clerks, even a

ove a whisper. Sylvia used Emily to gain sympathy, letting pe

lay. She rotated through them like ou

or everything in cash, avoided cameras when she could,

ew how to get things done. One of them was Vic, an older man

nd of work," Vic said when Da

ed. "I'm good

ent, then nodded. "Alright, ki

er how to create IDs that could pass casual inspection, how to

hem a reason to," Vic said, handing her a freshl

ed. "Thanks,

"Don't cal

ne learning from Vic,

ading her fake IDs and documents across the t

ore. She was Claire. Emily. Rachel.

her down. No on

e IDs, a small smil

you can," s