The Next Day
GRAVES VILLA – 8:34 p.m.
I’ve spent the entire day waiting for Alexander to come home and tell me what he discovered about Hakim’s death. He hasn’t shown any sign of life.
I’ve been overthinking for hours. Dozens of scenarios, each more implausible than the last, race through my mind—but none of them make any sense.
I’m about to close my eyes when I hear the front door open. I turn and see Alexander’s silhouette.
He doesn’t even glance at me—just heads straight to his office.
I waited all day, and now he’s locking himself in his office?
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I follow him. He speaks first.
“You were right. Hakim was poisoned before he came here with a hard-to-detect substance in his cigarette. His lips were purple. The moment they touched that cigarette, he was
