HIS FIRST WIFE NEVER LEFT

at old photograph? He was downstairs. Sipping champa

er when he toasted me at the reception and leaned in close, saying, "Some families are more dangerous than they look

THEM IS

fourth man?"

guest room, eyes locked on the photograph like he th

held the black leather glove

me the photogra

y chest. "You've asked me twic

" he said,

here you can contr

Alexandre Devereux, both facing the camera. Isabella behind them, her hand on a chair. T

by accident. Someon

is photograph ex

jaw tight

ther and yours

es

Isabe

d. "Not unt

ice even. "Recently meaning b

ence st

er's disappearance like it was just some sad family story, but nothing more. I'd be dam

Daniel. "Can you tell me w

ucien, who gav

el said calmly. "They logged in remotely. Then

tell wh

t y

at's the

ul. "The hallway securi

ed. "D

server and wiped just

n him. "Why w

ound out m

has admi

technology directo

e of six people? Or som

"That's what I'm tr

always "I'm trying." A

then. Someone broke i

has doubled security here.

arantee that,

eyes. "I

ut I couldn't help the flash of relief

want to see the

said, t

y n

ent in might still

Come wi

enti

ien. Don't act surprised that I want the truth.

r a long moment-ca

to Daniel. "Get t

odded, "

Stay close. Don't touch any

lders. "I'll be t

ng quick and uncertain,

er than the rest of the house. Cabinets lined the walls, a massive table carved dow

s logs. Daniel pointed at a third cabi

open. Folders stacked

oever came in here wasn't after rando

behind me. "H

meone knew exactly what to take. They g

one knows what your father and

ace shut d

esty ra

ters, investment reports, financial sta

an Hol

a string of huge payments from Devereux Holdings. "

account number, one I

isn't

ed closer. "

small, to dodge the internal reports

ot

n my head. "Over

ed. "No way. We aud

re only as good as the da

he file. "Can you

copy. I'd need

earching look.

sort of work

d, just for a he

aid he knew more about my

ehind one folder, a small envelop

.

trembled.

anced

nvelope. "You r

ged. "Where'd

ehind the

but I moved it awa

archive's alre

t for someone else to

slip of paper. Three names: Alexandre De

riting. If anything happens to either of u

read it twice. "Eithe

scanning the words. "My fa

didn't t

gaze sharp.

the truth b

ous guesses

s phone rang. He answered-fac

ked, "Wha

. "Adrian Devere

frowned

at happened. Wants

cratched-out man. The platinum wat

im in,"

stiffen

ing. He has every reason to be curio

t you're inviting i

ould explain

could, the d

am I inte

lothes under a dark robe, silver hair perfect despite the hour. Hi

still wide awake,

s my wedding night's turning o

arriage always find

the open cabinet. "

n front of me. "

pted break-in. Thought I

under control," L

returned to mine. "Are yo

ally,"

pproving. "Honesty

e photograph. "

mile slipped, o

e photo. "Where d

he ar

ce. "Terrible thing, destro

fourth ma

met mine.

ck, too

graph into the li

plet

hy my father wrote your name

om. Lucien's attention f

ck. "Your father sometimes got involve

forensic accountant. Understa

judgment are d

ook. "Did y

e worked with

Isabe

in his eyes. "Every

hen you must be

in his compo

ery second of his reaction.

en, then forced a

illingly steady.

arted toward the door. "I suggest you both get some rest. It'd be a sh

ntina. Your father was clever. But sometimes people don't know the

ound. "Is th

family advi

silent for a

ed that photograph. He knew something was

nally sai

he

at the door

. "Then why'd yo

er he thinks we kn

e, his answer sou

Daniel hurried over with a table

ed a security photo: a woman en

rrying a sma

e archive was accessed," I sa

in. "Where's

the compromised netwo

n glancing at the archive. She looked straigh

sp. The same one sitting on the edge of that old

en. "She came to

dded.

ows right w

ther message-from th

UNCLE IS TRYING TO DESTROY IT. BUT THE WOMAN WH

in, my finger

blinked ont

OOK FROM YOUR FATHER TH

uined face, my father's handwrit

wondered: was Isabel

ecause she needed some