he glass of the narro

iron bed, holding her encr

through her earpiece, speak

deployed private security units across Long Island and Midtown Manhattan. His financ

throbbed with a persistent ache

does not waste t

randfather's condition is deteriorating rapidly. The medical board gave Haywood Davidson forty-eight hours t

ers. "He will find nothing.

fails when he targets someone. He has already positioned

again, a high-frequency

nal encrypted channel

sounded direc

still awa

s, pressing the micro

o my communication l

in the rear of his Maybach, watching t

deep and steady. "I know you have gone forty-eigh

ords. Most people feared his power, bu

d to lower

Kira replied in a cold voice. "Your vehicles are parked out

ther seat. His voice lowered, f

in that house. If you give the order, I will walk through

ready to confront her family and ta

d the offer

men who pursue me," Kira said f

reath. Her stubborn pri

er the link. "I will watch the perimete

d the call wit

e on the small ta

dy. Her muscles were tense, and her

the thin mattress. She pulled the rough wool b

ttled over

er mind began to drift

minutes

Knock

pping against the wooden door e

went compl

a's sweet, soft voice cal

artha gave you thin blankets, so I brou

ionless on t

ntinuous lack of sleep combined with the sudden

ared to a dan

seconds. Hearing no answer, she

r latch

n in the darkness, filled wit