“You sure you don't need a hospital?" one of the guards asked.
Kaylee sat on the edge of her bed, arms wrapped around herself, face pale but composed.
“I'm fine."
The guard glanced at her bandaged hand. “Wolfe says don't leave this room."
“Did Wolfe say why someone with Victoria Langford's initials tried to humiliate me?"
The guard's silence was answer enough.
Kaylee waited until they left. Then she opened the hollow base of Ophelia's metronome and slid the bloodstained VL garment tag inside.
Another trophy.
Another thread in the noose.
---
Later that night, Clarence knocked.
He never knocked.
She opened the door slowly.
He looked… worn.
Loosened tie. Shadows under his eyes.
“You shouldn't have gone out alone."
Kaylee shrugged. “I was sent out."
“Not by me."
She crossed h
