January 14, 2015, AHD HeadquarterThe sun sits at high noon above AHD headquarters, casting three-dimensional shadows across the Pink Lady"s facade. Inside AHD"s conference room, the girls sit quietly around a conference table, waiting for Cody"s update by Skype. An eighty-inch screen hangs from the ceiling, displaying Cody in Tahoe"s Constellation at Northstar"s conference room. Dressed in a gray turtleneck and jeans; his flawless brown skin is tinged a subtle plum possibly from Tahoe"s chill. Cody"s charismatic personality always commands attention, but not today as the girls sit wordlessly, consumed with other matters.
Laura sits observantly watching Tara"s tight clutch on a leather-bound book, and sensing concerns about their bloodline. As soon as the meeting is over, she intends to ea
