The electronic click of the hotel room door unlocking sounded like a gunshot in the quiet suite.

Nora Sterling did not flinch. She sat in the high-backed armchair by the window, the glittering skyline of the city sprawling out behind her in the dark. She had known he would come. Julian Croft was a

"Sign here, here, and initial at the bottom," Chloe Mercer said, tapping the screen of the tablet with a manicured fingernail. "Once this goes through, the lease on the Rue de la Paix studio is locked. It’s entirely in your maiden name. Untouchable."

Nora took the stylus. Her fingers were trembling

The tires of Julian Croft’s Aston Martin shrieked against the wet asphalt as he abandoned the vehicle directly in the ambulance bay of St. Jude’s Medical Center. He didn't bother turning off the engine. He didn't bother shutting the door.

"Mr. Croft! Sir, you can't park here—" a security guard sho