The Don's Dangerous Addiction

went back to drawing. The cray

ry crouched bes

you that

n't look up.

did you

t down the crayon, picked up her rabbi

c leaned against the wall in the hallway, holding the pin she

oom. He just stood at the do

pressed against the star shape

aid, voice low. "

s on the scar. She d

District." He placed the pin back in her

ers closed a

there. She had never e

rembled, but she forced herself stead

andage on his arm scraped against the wall. A

North Industrial District. All recent entry and exit record

surveillance you wer

estioned last night is missing. The woman who cleans the livi

s eyes w

villa. Perimeter cameras. Cit

hun

ping through his bandage. She stepp

t touched the edge whe

on

me handle it. If you tough it out and get

he pressure on her

aid. "There's a m

Dominic unbuttoned his cuff

she thought. The edges were red and swollen. The i

He didn't make a sound, but his fingers gripp

ressed gently at the edge of the wound.

ur

nswer. His

tensed, then relaxed just as fast. She looked up at him. His eyes were

min

M

hing surveilla

dn't

wound. His fingers were still

r ha

let go. She saw four nail

you'll sleep." She closed the medical

ooke

ht be others left." She paused. "You're better at reading

from the drawer and pu

won't say anything in fron

tips lingered on the edge for a moment. He

's file. Includin

ers for a second, then

pect Dra

flat. "I never needed to check befor

t. I'll

ion room was i

steel door. A woman sat in

of walls. Even the door handle was twice as thick as normal. She h

de," she sa

and closed

r name?" Av

ar

have you w

yea

like i

inked. She d

table. Inside was Marie's file

is starting col

oman

n isn't

fingers clutched her knees. H

you for a favor

head shot up

ff. "You just lent someone your key card.

d at her. Her l

hen she ca

sick. She needed money. Just a five mi

s her

one who's

stoo

be fired?" The wo

d to the door and

ng man. Early twenties.

u know

. "She's

d she te

looking for something. In the villa. If

some

e said it was a b

ed. Her face didn't

r. Someone higher up." He looked at her. "She said t

or a few seconds. "

id if the information l

questions got

the interrogation

ut the th

with the boss for five year

veillance caught him near the ga

he wait

rage cameras were shut

d looked at Dr

urn off th

, but something in

ur

e a he

he folder. Her frown deepen

rake's men. Drake s

e trusted. Jus

ad upstairs when Drak

a few seconds, then hand

t it and turned t

. On the outer wall of the abandoned lab building, someon

I'm waiting fo

t the words. S

ide her, looking

through what Wenger left. The envelope fro

the study. Two steps in, he

me when y

her room. Dorothea

om the inside pocket of he

as a pho

at the entrance o

lding a book, her eyes curve

tood a figure. The f

ace, trying to make out the sil

e. Sent to Dominic,

ll of the villa, hidden in the grass. A ligature

note was attached

Your da

ords. Her feet moved

crouched by the bed. The little girl

r daughter's fac

Dominic stood in the doorway,

w it,"

es

e tonight. I'l

ed up Dorothea, blanket and all. He pushed the

r, face in the pill

he bed, looking

?" Dominic's voice c

can

or a moment. "

wn facing the door. His back against the wall

nce. The lights were off. Moo

ong time,

e you af

ie." His voice

t him. He wasn't looking at h

" he

she'll

a moment. "Then

rmrest. Her fingertips touched his elbow. He

in the dark. Neither