Chapter 101

Rain streaked down the windows of Herod Preston’s penthouse, turning Manhattan’s skyline into a blurry watercolor painting. Rose stood at the glass, watching lightning flash between the clouds. Her reflection stared back at her, a ghost of herself caught between the storm outside and the one brewing within.

Behind her, Herod ended his phone call and set his cell on the marble counter with a soft click. The sound pulled Rose from her thoughts.

“Well?” she asked, not turning around.

“It’s confirmed.” His voice carried that smooth confidence that had first drawn her to him. “Walsh says construction is proceeding exactly according to our modified plans. He installed the final set of altered circuit boards himself this morning.”

Rose pressed her palm against the cool glass. “And no one noticed the changes?”

“No one. Not even the chief engineer.” His footsteps approached, slow and measured. “The beauty of our modifications is their subtlety. Each change looks