Legally bound

NEW YORK'S ELITE LAW FIRM; BUILT ON LIES? still burned in his head as he walked down the gla

approached. "Mr. Cromwell, your parents

d polished leather greeted him. His mother sat gracefully on the couch, her postu

ftly, as if she'd been exp

steadying his voice. "

looked up, his expres

ex said simply.

flickering in her eyes. His father rose slowl

"You're doing the

ing his gaze. "Because i

Sometimes, the right thing does

cheek. "Then go before anyone else gets to Smit

'll speak to Mr

his tone clipped but approvi

ll he need

ight and restless thought. By the time he arrived, the sun h

lass and power. The older man stood by the win

half-smile. "I wasn't

n person," Alex replied

from surprise to relief. "You d

y. "But I'm not doing this for y

atever your reason, what matter

eek black envelope. "I just want her back, A

en't told me why s

. "Some harsh decisions I made on

u'll have her back," he said q

hered; her last known address, and a few photos which are quite

sooner I have the details

ays. Just... be patient with her. S

nod and left wit

tomorrow morning," he told Eileen over t

o?" she

ith's daught

on the 8 a.m. flight. B

nt smile. "Might as well

"Of course. And A

wil

y parked outside, and despite everything, the sight made him smile. Inside, she was curled u

he said, kissing him. "You don't

forcing a smile.

andal. She'd never mentioned it not once. A part of him thought maybe

w morning," he said after a pause. "W

way from the TV. "Don't forget to send me

though it stung.

and muttered to himself "that was easier than I thought." He packed

email sat there from one D

cked i

quite recent. Alex exhaled, staring at the picture a moment l

pictures are from when she was in university and the recent one is from her graduation. She has been extremel

mail. It was Mr Smith. He checked the time "11:0

aid when he pick

ut please I'm relying on you to maintain my sanity.

isappoint,

Smith said finally

f the lights, and tried to rest

gh the crowd quietly, blending in despite his tailored suit. The

ay, he gazed out the window at th

rk," he thought.