I didn't want to open the door. I knew that knock… soft, rhythmic, confident… the kind that didn't ask for permission, just announced itself. But I did anyway, because curiosity had never been something I was good at resisting.
Mabel Harrigan stood there again. No makeup this time, no entourage, no diamonds sharp enough to kill with. Just a camel coat, glossy hair pulled into a sleek twist, and eyes that looked like she hadn't slept in a week.
"Wow," I said. "You again. Should I start charging an entrance fee?"
She didn't flinch. "You should probably sit down."
"I'm good, thanks. What do you want?"
"To tell you the truth."
I laughed under my breath. "You and truth in the same sentence? That's rich."
Mabel exhaled, slow and steady. "You think this is a game, but you h
