rain.The Hale Estate didn't so much unfold until the car was swallowed whole by its silence.Lena pressed a hand to the window, her breath fogging the glass.Everything looked u

through Amara she had gotten a mental picture of what it loo

for a moment she couldn't move. Her f

the door. "

ghtly into the rain-soaked gravel, a

ows reflected the gray sky her figure splintered into a

inclined his head the way people trained to never surprise anyone inclined their h

he said. "W

lt heavy to say so instead she let him guide her into the

ocess takes forty-five minutes minimum. We've scheduled Mr. Hale for six." She tapped her tablet and then looked

d. The word sounded like

nothing, only offered a towel and a forced smile.Her fingers were quick and calm as she smoothed Lena's coat

exorbitant names and stock tickers looked down at her and she found herself tracing the air

t felt like a small stage. Racks of clothing bowed under the weight of silk and cashmere.Two stylists - a middle-age

h through her hair."We'll start with a wash." Her touch was brisk but not unkind"Y

st hummed and rinsed,the water was

ss Amara's posture and gaze.The PR director will coach you after makeup." He looked at Lena with a

linked

a reliable tool. "Let us give you a face that photograph

forward holding a small recorder. She spoke into it: "Greetings

at," she s

nd then tried something warmer. "You should be comfortable acknowl

said. "I u

stume constructed for a play about someone else's grief. She watched the stylist slip the gown over her shoulders,as the fa

photograph. It was Amara in sunlight - a candid; laughter at the corner of her mouth, hair catching

for the public? Why do I ha

. "Everyone remembers how she loo

k Lena's measurement.Her hands moved deftly, pinning, pressing, smoothing. "We want you to be comf

pped before a small antechamber where a tea service sat on a tray untouched. A soft fire lived in the hearth, its light breathing warmth into the stone. There was a scent of citrus and som

center," Clara said. "Mr.

iny hiss, the clock's patient tick. Her reflection in the teapot's curv

n front of her. "Miss Wren," he said once, the name

yond the doorway and paused as if deliberating whether to enter. Lena fel

d the hush of the room contracted to the point where it felt like they had been placed under a bell jar and the

he fact that he retained her name made her feel a bit better. He was near, but not too

. H

ir with polished arms. He steepled his fingers, a deliberate, con

e," Lena answered. Her voice

f weighing the sound of her wor

nest in the smallest

something softer hummed across his face. It vanished as quickly as it c

errant curl at the nape of Lena's neck. Damon's eyes tracked the movement with a precision th

e hospital for the signing. That will satisfy the lawyers and the board for a

ted, meeting Damon's eyes as if she were waiting for approval then contin

na once more. "Do you unders

. "Yes. But can I speak

would be the o

no

he house staff. Everything here is arranged to your ease." His tone relaxed an almost imperceptible hair. "Rest now." H

tea she hadn't touched and clear the tray. Hollis stood st

er and was laid out with an almost painful order: clothes pressed,an unpacked suitcase and the unmistakable vase of flowers at the table in the corner. The room

placed a small card on the pi

your co