["CHAPTER\t29 Libby\t found\t me\t shortly\t after\t I\t made\t my\t way\t back\t to\t my\t room.\t She\t was holding\ta\tstack\tof\telectronics.\t\u201cAlisa\tsaid\tI\tshould\tbuy\tsome\tthings\tfor\tyou.\tShe said\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tbought\tanything\tfor\tyourself.\u201d \u201cI\t haven\u2019t\t had\t time.\u201d\t I\t was\t exhausted,\t overwhelmed,\t and\t past\t the\t point\t of being\table\tto\twrap\tmy\tmind\taround\tanything\tthat\thad\thappened\tsince\tI\u2019d\tmoved into\tHawthorne\tHouse. Including\tEmily. \u201cLucky\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tLibby\treplied,\t\u201cI\thave\tnothing\tbut\ttime.\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tsound entirely\t happy\t about\t that,\t but\t before\t I\t could\t probe\t further,\t she\t began\t setting things\t down\t on\t my\t desk.\t \u201cNew\t laptop.\t A\t tablet.\t An\t e-reader,\t loaded\t with romance\tnovels,\tin\tcase\tyou\tneed\tsome\tescapism.\u201d \u201cLook\taround\tat\tthis\tplace,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cMy\tlife\tis\tescapism\tat\tthe\tmoment.\u201d That\t got\t a\t grin\t out\t of\t Libby.\t \u201cHave\t you\t seen\t the\t gym?\u201d\t she\t asked\t me,\t the awe\tin\ther\tvoice\tmaking\tit\tclear\tthat\tshe\thad.\t\u201cOr\tthe\tchef\u2019s\tkitchen?\u201d \u201cNot\t yet.\u201d\t My\t gaze\t caught\t suddenly\t on\t the\t fireplace,\t and\t I\t found\t myself listening,\t wondering:\t Was\t anyone\t back\t there?\t You\t won\u2019t\t last\t a\t month\t in\t this house.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t think\t Grayson\t had\t meant\t that\t as\t a\t physical\t threat\u2014and\t Oren certainly\thadn\u2019t\treacted\tas\tif\tmy\tlife\twere\tbeing\tthreatened.\tStill,\tI\tshivered. \u201cAve?\t There\u2019s\t something\t I\t have\t to\t show\t you.\u201d\t Libby\t flipped\t open\t my\t new tablet\u2019s\tcover.\t\u201cJust\tfor\tthe\trecord,\tit\u2019s\tokay\tif\tyou\twant\tto\tyell.\u201d \u201cWhy\twould\tI\u2014\u201d\tI\tcut\toff\twhen\tI\tsaw\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tpulled\tup.\tIt\twas\ta\tvideo of\tDrake. He\twas\tstanding\tnext\tto\ta\treporter.\tThe\tfact\tthat\this\thair\twas\tcombed\ttold\tme that\t the\t interview\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t a\t total\t surprise.\t The\t caption\t across\t the\t screen read:\tFriend\tof\tthe\tGrambs\tfamily. \u201cAvery\twas\talways\ta\tloner,\u201d\tDrake\tsaid\ton-screen.\t\u201cShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tfriends.\u201d I\thad\tMax\u2014and\tthat\twas\tall\tI\u2019d\tneeded. \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tsaying\tshe\twas\ta\tbad\tperson.\tI\tthink\tshe\twas\tjust\tkind\tof\tdesperate for\tattention.\tShe\twanted\tto\tmatter.\tA\tgirl\tlike\tthat,\ta\trich\told\tman\u2026\u201d\tHe\ttrailed","off.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tjust\tsay\tthat\tthere\twere\tdefinite\tdaddy\tissues.\u201d Libby\tcut\tthe\tvideo\toff\tthere. \u201cCan\tI\tsee\tthat?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tgesturing\ttoward\tthe\ttablet\twith\tmurder\tin\tmy\theart \u2014and\tprobably\tmy\teyes. \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tworst\tof\tit,\u201d\tLibby\tassured\tme.\t\u201cWould\tyou\tlike\tto\tyell\tnow?\u201d Not\t at\t you.\t I\t took\t the\t tablet\t and\t scrolled\t through\t the\t related\t videos\u2014all\t of them\t interviews\t or\t think\t pieces,\t all\t about\t me.\t Former\t classmates.\t Coworkers. Libby\u2019s\tmom.\tI\tignored\tthe\tinterviews\tuntil\tI\tgot\tto\tone\tthat\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tignore.\tIt was\tlabeled\tsimply:\tSkye\tHawthorne\tand\tZara\tHawthorne-Calligaris. The\ttwo\tof\tthem\tstood\tbehind\ta\tpodium\tat\twhat\tappeared\tto\tbe\tsome\tkind\tof press\t conference\u2014so\t much\t for\t Grayson\u2019s\t assertion\t that\t his\t mother\t hadn\u2019t\t left her\troom\tin\tdays. \u201cOur\t father\t was\t a\t great\t man.\u201d\t Zara\u2019s\t hair\t whipped\t in\t a\t subtle\t wind.\t The expression\ton\ther\tface\twas\tstoic.\t\u201cHe\twas\ta\trevolutionary\tentrepreneur,\ta\tonce- in-a-generation\tphilanthropist,\tand\ta\tman\twho\tvalued\tfamily\tabove\tall\telse.\u201d\tShe took\tSkye\u2019s\thand.\t\u201cAs\twe\tgrieve\this\tpassing,\trest\tassured\tthat\twe\twill\tnot\tsee\this life\u2019s\t work\t die\t with\t him.\t The\t Hawthorne\t Foundation\t will\t continue\t operations. My\t father\u2019s\t numerous\t investments\t will\t undergo\t no\t immediate\t changes.\t While we\t cannot\t comment\t on\t the\t complex\t legalities\t of\t the\t current\t situation,\t I\t can assure\tyou\tthat\twe\tare\tworking\twith\tthe\tauthorities,\telder-abuse\tspecialists,\tand a\tteam\tof\tmedical\tand\tlegal\tprofessionals\tto\tget\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthis\tsituation.\u201d She\t turned\t to\t Skye,\t whose\t eyes\t brimmed\t with\t unshed\t tears\u2014perfect, picturesque,\tdramatic. \u201cOur\tfather\twas\tour\thero,\u201d\tZara\tdeclared.\t\u201cWe\twill\tnot\tallow\thim,\tin\tdeath, to\tbecome\ta\tvictim.\tTo\tthat\tend,\twe\tare\tproviding\tthe\tpress\twith\tthe\tresults\tof\ta genetic\t test\t that\t proves\t conclusively\t that,\t contrary\t to\t the\t libelous\t reports\t and speculation\t circulating\t in\t the\t tabloids,\t Avery\t Grambs\t is\t not\t the\t result\t of infidelity\t on\t the\t part\t of\t our\t father,\t who\t was\t faithful\t to\t his\t beloved\t wife,\t our mother,\t for\t the\t entirety\t of\t their\t marriage.\t We\t as\t a\t family\t are\t as\t bewildered\t at recent\t events\t as\t all\t of\t you,\t but\t genes\t don\u2019t\t lie.\t Whatever\t else\t this\t girl\t may\t be, she\tis\tnot\ta\tHawthorne.\u201d The\t video\t cut\t off.\t Dumbfounded,\t I\t thought\t back\t to\t Grayson\u2019s\t parting\t shot. I\u2019d\tlay\tmoney\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tgone\twithin\tthe\tweek. \u201cElder-abuse\tspecialists?\u201d\tLibby\twas\tagog\tand\taghast\tbeside\tme. \u201cAnd\tthe\tauthorities,\u201d\tI\tadded.\t\u201cPlus\ta\tteam\tof\tmedical\tspecialists.\tShe\tmight not\t have\t come\t right\t out\t and\t said\t that\t I\u2019m\t under\t investigation\t for\t defrauding\t a dementia-ridden\told\tman,\tbut\tshe\tsure\tas\thell\timplied\tit.\u201d","\u201cShe\t doesn\u2019t\t get\t to\t do\t that.\u201d\t Libby\t was\t pissed\u2014a\t blue-haired,\t ponytailed, gothic\tball\tof\tfury.\t\u201cShe\tcan\u2019t\tjust\tsay\twhatever\tshe\twants.\tCall\tAlisa.\tYou\thave lawyers!\u201d What\t I\t had\t was\t a\t headache.\t This\t wasn\u2019t\t unexpected.\t Given\t the\t size\t of\t the fortune\t at\t stake,\t it\t was\t inevitable.\t Oren\t had\t warned\t me\t that\t the\t women\t would come\tafter\tme\tin\tthe\tcourtroom. \u201cI\u2019ll\tcall\tAlisa\ttomorrow,\u201d\tI\ttold\tLibby.\t\u201cRight\tnow,\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tbed.\u201d","CHAPTER\t30 They\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tlegal\tleg\tto\tstand\ton.\u201d I\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tcall\tAlisa\tin\tthe\tmorning.\tShe\tshowed\tup\tand\tfound\tme. \u201cRest\t assured,\t we\t will\t shut\t this\t down.\t My\t father\t will\t be\t meeting\t with\t Zara and\tConstantine\tlater\ttoday.\u201d \u201cConstantine?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cZara\u2019s\thusband.\u201d Thea\u2019s\tuncle,\tI\tthought. \u201cThey\tknow,\tof\tcourse,\tthat\tthey\tstand\tto\tlose\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tby\tchallenging\tthe will.\t Zara\u2019s\t debts\t are\t substantial,\t and\t they\t won\u2019t\t be\t cleared\t if\t she\t files\t a\t suit. What\tZara\tand\tConstantine\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tand\twhat\tmy\tfather\twill\tmake\tvery\tclear to\tthem,\tis\tthat\teven\tif\ta\tjudge\twere\tto\trule\tMr.\tHawthorne\u2019s\tlatest\twill\tto\tbe\tnull and\tvoid,\tthe\tdistribution\tof\this\testate\twould\tthen\tbe\tgoverned\tby\this\tprior\twill, and\tthat\twill\tleft\tthe\tHawthorne\tfamily\teven\tless\tthan\tthis\tone.\u201d Traps\tupon\ttraps.\tI\tthought\tabout\twhat\tJameson\tsaid\tafter\tthe\twill\thad\tbeen read,\tand\tthen\tI\tthought\tabout\tthe\tconversation\tI\u2019d\thad\twith\tXander\tover\tscones. Even\t if\t you\t thought\t that\t you\u2019d\t manipulated\t our\t grandfather\t into\t this,\t I guarantee\tthat\the\u2019d\tbe\tthe\tone\tmanipulating\tyou. \u201cHow\t long\t ago\t did\t Tobias\t write\t his\t prior\t will?\u201d\t I\t asked,\t wondering\t if\t its only\tpurpose\thad\tbeen\tto\treinforce\tthis\tone. \u201cTwenty\t years\t ago\t in\t August.\u201d\t Alisa\t ruled\t out\t that\t possibility.\t \u201cThe\t entire estate\twas\tto\tgo\tto\tcharity.\u201d \u201cTwenty\t years?\u201d\t I\t repeated.\t That\t was\t longer\t than\t any\t of\t the\t Hawthorne grandsons\t except\t Nash\t had\t been\t alive.\t \u201cHe\t disinherited\t his\t daughters\t twenty years\tago\tand\tnever\ttold\tthem?\u201d \u201cApparently\tso.\tAnd\tin\tanswer\tto\tyour\tquery\tyesterday\u201d\u2014Alisa\twas\tnothing if\t not\t efficient\u2014\u201cthe\t firm\u2019s\t records\t show\t that\t Mr.\t Hawthorne\t legally\t changed his\tname\ttwenty\tyears\tago\tlast\tAugust.\tPrior\tto\tthat,\the\thad\tno\tmiddle\tname.\u201d Tobias\t Hawthorne\t had\t given\t himself\t a\t middle\t name\t at\t the\t same\t time\t he\u2019d disinherited\t his\t family.\t Tattersall.\t Tatters,\t all.\t Given\t everything\t that\t Jameson","and\t Xander\t had\t told\t me\t about\t their\t grandfather,\t that\t seemed\t like\t a\t message. Leaving\tthe\tmoney\tto\tme\u2014and\tbefore\tme,\tto\tcharity\u2014wasn\u2019t\tthe\tpoint. Disinheriting\this\tfamily\twas. \u201cWhat\tthe\thell\thappened\ttwenty\tyears\tago\tin\tAugust?\u201d\tI\tasked. Alisa\t seemed\t to\t be\t weighing\t her\t response.\t My\t eyes\t narrowed,\t and\t I wondered\tif\tany\tpart\tof\ther\twas\tstill\tloyal\tto\tNash.\tTo\this\tfamily. \u201cMr.\t Hawthorne\t and\t his\t wife\t lost\t their\t son\t that\t summer.\t Toby.\t He\t was nineteen,\t the\t youngest\t of\t their\t children.\u201d\t Alisa\t paused,\t then\t forged\t on.\t \u201cToby had\ttaken\tseveral\tfriends\tto\tone\tof\this\tparents\u2019\tvacation\thomes.\tThere\twas\ta\tfire. Toby\tand\tthree\tother\tyoung\tpeople\tperished.\u201d I\ttried\tto\twrap\tmy\tmind\taround\twhat\tshe\twas\tsaying:\tTobias\tHawthorne\thad written\this\tdaughters\tout\tof\this\twill\tafter\tthe\tdeath\tof\this\tson.\tHe\twas\tnever\tthe same\tafter\tToby\tdied.\tZara\thad\tsaid\tthat\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tthought\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tpassed over\tfor\ther\tsister\u2019s\tsons.\tI\tsearched\tmy\tmind\tfor\tSkye\u2019s\treply. Disappeared,\tSkye\thad\tinsisted,\tand\tZara\thad\tlost\tit. \u201cWhy\twould\tSkye\tsay\tthat\tToby\tdisappeared?\u201d Alisa\twas\tcaught\toff\tguard\tby\tmy\tquestion\u2014clearly,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tremember\tthe exchange\tat\tthe\treading\tof\tthe\twill. \u201cBetween\t the\t fire\t and\t a\t storm\t that\t night,\u201d\t Alisa\t said,\t once\t she\u2019d\t recovered, \u201cToby\u2019s\tremains\twere\tnever\tdefinitively\tfound.\u201d My\t brain\t worked\t overtime\t trying\t to\t integrate\t this\t information.\t \u201cCouldn\u2019t Zara\t and\t Skye\t have\t their\t lawyer\t argue\t that\t the\t old\t will\t was\t invalid,\t too?\u201d\t I asked.\t\u201cWritten\tunder\tduress,\tor\the\twas\tmad\twith\tgrief,\tor\tsomething\tlike\tthat?\u201d \u201cMr.\t Hawthorne\t signed\t a\t document\t reaffirming\t his\t will\t yearly,\u201d\t Alisa\t told me.\t\u201cHe\tnever\tchanged\tit,\tuntil\tyou.\u201d Until\tme.\tMy\tentire\tbody\ttingled,\tjust\tthinking\tabout\tit.\t\u201cHow\tlong\tago\twas that?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cLast\tyear.\u201d What\tcould\thave\thappened\tto\tmake\tTobias\tHawthorne\tdecide\tthat\tinstead\tof leaving\this\tentire\tfortune\tto\tcharity,\the\twas\tgoing\tto\tleave\tit\tto\tme? Maybe\the\tknew\tmy\tmother.\tMaybe\the\tknew\tshe\tdied.\tMaybe\the\twas\tsorry. \u201cNow,\tif\tyour\tcuriosity\thas\tbeen\tsated,\u201d\tAlisa\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twould\tlike\tto\treturn\tto more\t pressing\t issues.\t I\t believe\t my\t father\t can\t get\t a\t handle\t on\t Zara\t and Constantine.\t Our\t biggest\t remaining\t PR\t issue\t is\u2026\u201d\t Alisa\t steeled\t herself.\t \u201cYour sister.\u201d \u201cLibby?\u201d\tThat\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\twhat\tI\twas\texpecting. \u201cIt\u2019s\tto\teveryone\u2019s\tbenefit\tif\tshe\tlies\tlow.\u201d","\u201cHow\tcould\tshe\tpossibly\tlie\tlow?\u201d\tI\tasked.\tThis\twas\tthe\tbiggest\tstory\ton\tthe planet. \u201cFor\tthe\timmediate\tfuture,\tI\u2019ve\tadvised\ther\tto\tstay\ton\tthe\testate,\u201d\tAlisa\tsaid, and\t I\t thought\t about\t Libby\u2019s\t comment\t that\t she\t had\t nothing\t but\t time. \u201cEventually,\tshe\tcan\tthink\tabout\tcharity\twork,\tif\tshe\twould\tlike,\tbut\tfor\tthe\ttime being,\twe\tneed\tto\tbe\table\tto\tcontrol\tthe\tnarrative,\tand\tyour\tsister\thas\ta\tway\tof\u2026 drawing\tattention.\u201d I\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t if\t that\t was\t a\t reference\t to\t Libby\u2019s\t fashion\t choices\t or\t her\t black eye.\t Anger\t bubbled\t up\t inside\t me.\t \u201cMy\t sister\t can\t wear\t whatever\t she\t wants,\u201d\t I said\t flatly.\t \u201cShe\t can\t do\t whatever\t she\t wants.\t If\t Texas\t high\t society\t and\t the tabloids\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tit,\tthat\u2019s\ttoo\tdamn\tbad.\u201d \u201cThis\tis\ta\tdelicate\tsituation,\u201d\tAlisa\treplied\tcalmly.\t\u201cEspecially\twith\tthe\tpress. And\tLibby\u2026\u201d \u201cShe\t hasn\u2019t\t talked\t to\t the\t press,\u201d\t I\t said,\t as\t sure\t of\t that\t as\t I\t was\t of\t my\t own name. \u201cHer\t ex-boyfriend\t has.\t Her\t mother\t has.\t Both\t are\t looking\t for\t ways\t to\t cash in.\u201d\tAlisa\tgave\tme\ta\tlook.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\ttell\tyou\tthat\tmost\tlottery\twinners\tfind their\t existence\t made\t miserable\t as\t they\t drown\t in\t requests\t and\t demands\t from family\tand\tfriends.\tYou\tare\tblessedly\tshort\ton\tboth.\tLibby,\thowever,\tis\tanother matter.\u201d If\t Libby\t had\t been\t the\t one\t to\t inherit,\t instead\t of\t me,\t she\t would\t have\t been incapable\t of\t saying\t no.\t She\t would\t have\t given\t and\t given,\t to\t everyone\t who managed\tto\tget\ttheir\thooks\tin\ther. \u201cWe\t might\t consider\t a\t one-time\t payment\t to\t the\t mother,\u201d\t Alisa\t said,\t all business.\t \u201cAlong\t with\t a\t nondisclosure\t agreement\t preventing\t her\t from\t talking about\tyou\tor\tLibby\tto\tthe\tpress.\u201d My\t stomach\t rebelled\t at\t the\t idea\t of\t giving\t money\t to\t Libby\u2019s\t mom.\t The woman\t didn\u2019t\t deserve\t a\t penny.\t But\t Libby\t didn\u2019t\t deserve\t to\t have\t to\t see\t her mother\tregularly\ttrying\tto\tsell\ther\tout\ton\tthe\tnightly\tnews. \u201cFine,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tclenching\tmy\tteeth,\t\u201cbut\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgiving\tanything\tto\tDrake.\u201d Alisa\tsmiled,\ta\tflash\tof\tteeth.\t\u201cHim,\tI\u2019ll\tmuzzle\tfor\tfun.\u201d\tShe\theld\tout\ta\tthick binder.\t \u201cIn\t the\t meantime,\t I\u2019ve\t assembled\t some\t key\t information\t for\t you,\t and\t I have\t someone\t coming\t in\t this\t afternoon\t to\t work\t on\t your\t wardrobe\t and appearance.\u201d \u201cMy\twhat?\u201d \u201cLibby,\t as\t you\t said,\t can\t wear\t whatever\t she\t wants,\t but\t you\t don\u2019t\t have\t that luxury.\u201d\tAlisa\tshrugged.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tthe\treal\tstory\there.\tLooking\tthe\tpart\tis\talways","step\tone.\u201d I\t had\t no\t idea\t how\t this\t conversation\t had\t started\t with\t legal\t and\t PR\t issues, detoured\t through\t Hawthorne\t family\t tragedy,\t and\t ended\t with\t me\t being\t told\t by my\tlawyer\tthat\tI\tneeded\ta\tmakeover. I\t took\t the\t binder\t from\t Alisa\u2019s\t outstretched\t hand,\t tossed\t it\t on\t the\t desk,\t then headed\tfor\tthe\tdoor. \u201cWhere\tare\tyou\tgoing?\u201d\tAlisa\tcalled\tafter\tme. I\talmost\tsaid\tthe\tlibrary,\tbut\tGrayson\u2019s\twarning\tfrom\tthe\tday\tbefore\twas\tstill fresh\tin\tmy\tmind.\t\u201cDoesn\u2019t\tthis\tplace\thave\ta\tbowling\talley?\u201d","CHAPTER\t31 It\t really\t was\t a\t bowling\t alley.\t In\t my\t house.\t There\t was\t a\t bowling\t alley\t in\t my house.\t As\t promised,\t there\t were\t \u201conly\u201d\t four\t lanes,\t but\t otherwise,\t it\t had everything\t you\u2019d\t expect\t a\t bowling\t alley\t to\t have.\t There\t was\t a\t ball\t return.\t Pin- setters\t on\t each\t lane.\t A\t touch\t screen\t to\t set\t up\t the\t games,\t and\t fifty-five-inch monitors\toverhead\tto\tkeep\ttrack\tof\tthe\tscore.\tEmblazoned\ton\tall\tof\tit\u2014the\tballs, the\tlanes,\tthe\ttouch\tscreen,\tthe\tmonitors\u2014was\tan\telaborate\tletter\tH. I\t tried\t not\t to\t take\t that\t as\t a\t reminder\t that\t none\t of\t this\t was\t supposed\t to\t be mine. Instead,\tI\tfocused\ton\tchoosing\tthe\tright\tball.\tThe\tright\tshoes\u2014because\tthere were\tat\tleast\tforty\tpairs\tof\tbowling\tshoes\ton\ta\track\tto\tthe\tside.\tWho\tneeds\tforty pairs\tof\tbowling\tshoes? Tapping\t my\t finger\t against\t the\t touch\t screen,\t I\t entered\t my\t initials.\t AKG.\t An instant\tlater,\ta\twelcome\tflashed\tacross\tthe\tmonitor. WELCOME\tTO\tHAWTHORNE\tHOUSE,\tAVERY\tKYLIE\tGRAMBS! The\t hairs\t on\t my\t arms\t stood\t up.\t I\t doubted\t programming\t my\t name\t into\t this unit\thad\tbeen\ta\ttop\tpriority\tfor\tanyone\tthe\tlast\tcouple\tof\tdays.\tAnd\tthat\tmeans\u2026 \u201cWas\t it\t you?\u201d\t I\t asked\t out\t loud,\t addressing\t the\t words\t to\t Tobias\t Hawthorne. Had\tone\tof\this\tlast\tacts\ton\tearth\tbeen\tto\tprogram\tthis\twelcome? I\t pushed\t down\t the\t urge\t to\t shiver.\t At\t the\t end\t of\t the\t second\t lane,\t pins\t were waiting\tfor\tme.\tI\tpicked\tup\tmy\tball\u2014ten\tpounds,\twith\ta\tsilver\tH\ton\ta\tdark\tgreen background.\tBack\thome,\tthe\tbowling\talley\thad\toffered\tninety-nine-cent\tbowling once\ta\tmonth.\tMy\tmom\tand\tI\thad\tgone,\tevery\ttime. I\twished\tthat\tshe\twere\there,\tand\tthen\tI\twondered:\tIf\tshe\twere\talive,\twould\tI even\t be\t here?\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t Hawthorne.\t Unless\t the\t old\t man\t had\t chosen\t me randomly,\t unless\t I\t had\t somehow\t done\t something\t to\t catch\t his\t attention,\t his decision\tto\tleave\teverything\tto\tme\thad\tto\thave\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\ther. If\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\talive,\twould\tyou\thave\tleft\tthe\tmoney\tto\ther?\tAt\tleast\tthis\ttime,\tI","wasn\u2019t\t addressing\t Tobias\t Hawthorne\t out\t loud.\t What\t were\t you\t sorry\t for?\t Did you\tdo\tsomething\tto\ther?\tNot\tdo\tsomething\tto\ther\u2014or\tfor\ther? I\t have\t a\t secret.\u2026\t I\t heard\t my\t mom\t saying.\t I\t threw\t the\t ball\t harder\t than\t I should\t have\t and\t hit\t only\t two\t pins.\t If\t my\t mom\t had\t been\t here,\t she\t would\t have mocked\tme.\tI\tconcentrated\tthen\tand\tbowled.\tFive\tgames\tlater,\tI\twas\tcovered\tin sweat,\tand\tmy\tarms\twere\taching.\tI\tfelt\tgood\u2014good\tenough\tto\tventure\tback\tout into\tthe\tHouse\tand\tgo\thunting\tfor\tthe\tgym. Athletic\t complex\t might\t have\t been\t a\t more\t accurate\t term.\t I\t stepped\t out\t onto the\tbasketball\tcourt.\tThe\troom\tjutted\tout\tin\tan\tL\tshape,\twith\ttwo\tweight\tbenches and\t a\t half\t dozen\t workout\t machines\t in\t the\t smaller\t part\t of\t the\t L.\t There\t was\t a door\ton\tthe\tback\twall. As\tlong\tas\tI\u2019m\tplaying\tDorothy\tin\tOz\u2026 I\topened\tit\tand\tfound\tmyself\tlooking\tup.\tA\trock\tclimbing\twall\tstretched\tout two\tstories\toverhead.\tA\tfigure\tgrappled\twith\ta\tnear-vertical\tsection\ton\tthe\twall, at\tleast\ttwenty\tfeet\tup,\twith\tno\tharness.\tJameson. He\t must\t have\t sensed\t me\t somehow.\t \u201cEver\t climbed\t one\t of\t these\t before?\u201d\t he called\tdown. Again,\t I\t thought\t of\t Grayson\u2019s\t warning,\t but\t this\t time,\t I\t told\t myself\t that\t I didn\u2019t\t give\t a\t damn\t about\t what\t Grayson\t Hawthorne\t had\t to\t say\t to\t me.\t I\t walked over\tto\tthe\tclimbing\twall,\tplanted\tmy\tfeet\tat\tthe\tbase,\tand\tdid\ta\tquick\tsurvey\tof the\tavailable\thand-\tand\tfootholds. \u201cFirst\ttime,\u201d\tI\tcalled\tback\tto\tJameson,\treaching\tfor\tone\tof\tthem.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2019m\ta quick\tlearner.\u201d I\t made\t it\t until\t my\t feet\t were\t about\t six\t feet\t off\t the\t ground\t before\t the\t wall jutted\tout\tat\tan\tangle\tdesigned\tto\tmake\tthings\tdifficult.\tI\tbraced\tone\tleg\tagainst\ta foothold\tand\tthe\tother\tagainst\tthe\twall\tand\tstretched\tmy\tright\tarm\tfor\ta\thandhold a\tfraction\tof\tan\tinch\ttoo\tfar\taway. I\tmissed. From\t the\t ledge\t above\t me,\t a\t hand\t snaked\t down\t and\t grabbed\t mine.\t Jameson smirked\tas\tI\tdangled\tmidair.\t\u201cYou\tcan\tdrop,\u201d\the\ttold\tme,\t\u201cor\tI\tcan\ttry\tto\tswing you\tup.\u201d Do\tit.\tI\tbit\tback\tthe\twords.\tOren\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen,\tand\tthe\tlast\tthing\tI needed\tto\tdo,\talone\twith\ta\tHawthorne,\twas\tgo\thigher.\tInstead,\tI\tlet\tgo\tof\this\tarm and\tbraced\tfor\timpact. After\t I\t landed,\t I\t stood,\t watching\t Jameson\t work\t his\t way\t back\t up\t the\t wall, muscles\ttensing\tagainst\this\tthin\twhite\tT-shirt.\tThis\tis\ta\tbad\tidea,\tI\ttold\tmyself, my\theart\tthumping.\tJameson\tWinchester\tHawthorne\tis\ta\tvery\tbad\tidea.\tI\thadn\u2019t","even\trealized\tI\tremembered\this\tmiddle\tname\tuntil\tit\tpopped\tinto\tmy\thead,\ta\tlast name,\t just\t like\t his\t first.\t Stop\t looking\t at\t him.\t Stop\t thinking\t about\t him.\t The\t next year\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\tcomplicated\tenough\twithout\u2026\tcomplications. Feeling\t suddenly\t like\t I\t was\t being\t watched,\t I\t turned\t to\t the\t door\u2014and\t found Grayson\tstaring\tstraight\tat\tme.\tHis\tlight\teyes\twere\tnarrowed\tand\tfocused. You\tdon\u2019t\tscare\tme,\tGrayson\tHawthorne.\tI\tforced\tmyself\tto\tturn\taway\tfrom him,\tswallowed,\tand\tcalled\tup\tto\tJameson.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\tin\tthe\tlibrary.\u201d","CHAPTER\t32 The\t library\t was\t empty\t when\t I\t stepped\t through\t the\t door\t at\t nine\t fifteen,\t but\t it didn\u2019t\t stay\t empty\t for\t long.\t Jameson\t arrived\t at\t half\t past\t nine,\t and\t Grayson\t let himself\tin\tat\tnine\tthirty-one. \u201cWhat\tare\twe\tdoing\ttoday?\u201d\tGrayson\tasked\this\tbrother. \u201cWe?\u201d\tJameson\tshot\tback. Grayson\t meticulously\t cuffed\t his\t sleeves.\t He\u2019d\t changed\t after\t his\t workout, donning\ta\tstiff\tcollared\tshirt\tlike\tarmor.\t\u201cCan\u2019t\tan\tolder\tbrother\tspend\ttime\twith his\t younger\t brother\t and\t an\t interloper\t of\t dubious\t intentions\t without\t getting\t the third\tdegree?\u201d \u201cHe\tdoesn\u2019t\ttrust\tme\twith\tyou,\u201d\tI\ttranslated. \u201cI\u2019m\t such\t a\t delicate\t flower.\u201d\t Jameson\u2019s\t tone\t was\t light,\t but\t his\t eyes\t told\t a different\tstory.\t\u201cIn\tneed\tof\tprotection\tand\tconstant\tsupervision.\u201d Grayson\t was\t undaunted\t by\t sarcasm.\t \u201cSo\t it\t would\t seem.\u201d\t He\t smiled,\t the expression\trazor\tsharp.\t\u201cWhat\tare\twe\tdoing\ttoday?\u201d\the\trepeated. I\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t it\t was\t about\t his\t voice\t that\t made\t him\t so\t impossible\t to ignore. \u201cHeiress\t and\t I,\u201d\t Jameson\t replied\t pointedly,\t \u201care\t following\t a\t hunch, doubtlessly\twasting\tsinful\tamounts\tof\ttime\ton\twhat\tI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\twould\tconsider to\tbe\tnonsensical\tflapdoodle.\u201d Grayson\tfrowned.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\ttalk\tlike\tthat.\u201d Jameson\tlet\tthe\tarch\tof\tan\teyebrow\tspeak\tfor\titself. Grayson\tnarrowed\this\teyes.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\thunch\tare\tthe\ttwo\tof\tyou\tfollowing?\u201d When\t it\t became\t clear\t that\t Jameson\t wasn\u2019t\t going\t to\t answer,\t I\t did\u2014not because\t I\t owed\t Grayson\t Hawthorne\t a\t single\t damn\t thing.\t Because\t part\t of\t any winning\t strategy,\t long-term,\t was\t knowing\t when\t to\t play\t to\t your\t opponent\u2019s expectations\t and\t when\t to\t subvert\t them.\t Grayson\t Hawthorne\t expected\t nothing from\tme.\tNothing\tgood. \u201cWe\tthink\tyour\tgrandfather\u2019s\tletter\tto\tJameson\tincluded\ta\tclue\tabout\twhat\the was\tthinking.\u201d","\u201cWhat\the\twas\tthinking,\u201d\tGrayson\trepeated,\tsharp\teyes\tmaking\ta\tcasual\tstudy of\tmy\tfeatures,\t\u201cand\twhy\the\tleft\teverything\tto\tyou.\u201d Jameson\tleaned\tback\tagainst\tthe\tdoorframe.\t\u201cIt\tsounds\tlike\thim,\tdoesn\u2019t\tit?\u201d he\tasked\tGrayson.\t\u201cOne\tlast\tgame?\u201d I\tcould\thear\tin\tJameson\u2019s\ttone\tthat\the\twanted\tGrayson\tto\tsay\tyes.\tHe\twanted his\t brother\u2019s\t agreement,\t or\t possibly\t approval.\t Maybe\t some\t part\t of\t him\t wanted for\t them\t to\t do\t this\t together.\t For\t a\t split\t second,\t I\t saw\t a\t spark\t of\t something\t in Grayson\u2019s\t eyes,\t too,\t but\t it\t was\t extinguished\t so\t quickly\t I\t was\t left\t wondering\t if the\tlight\tand\tmy\tmind\twere\tplaying\ttricks\ton\tme. \u201cFrankly,\t Jamie,\u201d\t Grayson\t commented,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t surprised\t you\t still\t feel\t you know\tthe\told\tman\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cI\t am\t just\t full\t of\t surprises.\u201d\t Jameson\t must\t have\t caught\t himself\t wanting something\tfrom\tGrayson,\tbecause\tthe\tlight\tin\this\town\teyes\twent\tout,\ttoo.\t\u201cAnd you\tcan\tleave\tany\ttime,\tGray.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tnot,\u201d\tGrayson\treplied.\t\u201cBetter\tthe\tdevil\tyou\tknow\tthan\tthe\tdevil\tyou don\u2019t.\u201d\t He\t let\t those\t words\t hang\t in\t the\t air.\t \u201cOr\t is\t it?\t Power\t corrupts.\t Absolute power\tcorrupts\tabsolutely.\u201d My\teyes\tdarted\ttoward\tJameson,\twho\tstood\teerily,\tabsolutely\tstill. \u201cHe\t left\t you\t the\t same\t message,\u201d\t Jameson\t said\t finally,\t pushing\t off\t the doorway\tand\tpacing\tthe\troom.\t\u201cThe\tsame\tclue.\u201d \u201cNot\t a\t clue,\u201d\t Grayson\t countered.\t \u201cAn\t indication\t that\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t in\t his\t right mind.\u201d Jameson\t whirled\t on\t him.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t believe\t that.\u201d\t He\t assessed\t Grayson\u2019s expression,\this\tposture.\t\u201cBut\ta\tjudge\tmight.\u201d\tJameson\tshot\tme\ta\tlook.\t\u201cHe\u2019ll\tuse his\tletter\tagainst\tyou\tif\the\tcan.\u201d He\t might\t have\t given\t his\t letter\t to\t Zara\t and\t Constantine\t already,\t I\t thought. But\taccording\tto\twhat\tAlisa\thad\ttold\tme,\tthat\twouldn\u2019t\tmatter. \u201cThere\t was\t another\t will\t before\t this\t one,\u201d\t I\t said,\t looking\t from\t brother\t to brother.\t \u201cYour\t grandfather\t left\t your\t family\t even\t less\t in\t that\t one.\t He\t didn\u2019t disinherit\t you\t for\t me.\u201d\t I\t was\t looking\t at\t Grayson\t when\t I\t said\t those\t words.\t \u201cHe disinherited\tthe\tentire\tHawthorne\tfamily\tbefore\tyou\twere\teven\tborn\u2014right\tafter your\tuncle\tdied.\u201d Jameson\tstopped\tpacing.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tlying.\u201d\tHis\tentire\tbody\twas\ttense. Grayson\theld\tmy\tgaze.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tnot.\u201d If\t I\u2019d\t been\t guessing\t how\t this\t would\t go,\t I\t would\t have\t guessed\t that\t Jameson would\t believe\t me\t and\t that\t Grayson\t would\t be\t the\t skeptic.\t Regardless,\t both\t of them\twere\tstaring\tat\tme\tnow.","Grayson\t broke\t eye\t contact\t first.\t \u201cYou\t may\t as\t well\t tell\t me\t what\t you\t think that\tgodforsaken\tletter\tmeans,\tJamie.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhy,\u201d\tJameson\tsaid\tthrough\tgritted\tteeth,\t\u201cwould\tI\tgive\taway\tthe\tgame like\tthat?\u201d They\twere\tused\tto\tcompeting\twith\teach\tother,\tto\tpushing\tto\tthe\tfinish\tline.\tI couldn\u2019t\tshake\tthe\tfeeling\tthat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tbelong\there\u2014between\tthem\u2014at\tall. \u201cYou\tdo\trealize,\tJamie,\tthat\tI\tam\tcapable\tof\tstaying\there\twith\tthe\ttwo\tof\tyou in\t this\t room\t indefinitely?\u201d\t Grayson\t said.\t \u201cAs\t soon\t as\t I\t see\t what\t you\u2019re\t up\t to, you\tknow\tI\u2019ll\treason\tit\tout.\tI\twas\traised\tto\tplay,\tsame\tas\tyou.\u201d Jameson\t stared\t hard\t at\t his\t brother,\t then\t smiled.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t up\t to\t the\t interloper\t of dubious\tintentions.\u201d\tHis\tsmile\tturned\tto\ta\tsmirk. He\t expects\t me\t to\t send\t Grayson\t packing.\t I\t probably\t should\t have,\t but\t it\t was entirely\t possible\t that\t we\t were\t wasting\t our\t time\t here,\t and\t I\t had\t no\t particular objection\tto\twasting\tGrayson\tHawthorne\u2019s. \u201cHe\tcan\tstay.\u201d You\tcould\thave\tcut\tthe\ttension\tin\tthe\troom\twith\ta\tknife. \u201cAll\tright,\tHeiress.\u201d\tJameson\tflashed\tme\tanother\twild\tsmile.\t\u201cAs\tyou\twish.\u201d","CHAPTER\t33 I\u2019d\t known\t that\t things\t would\t go\t faster\t with\t an\t extra\t set\t of\t hands,\t but\t I\t hadn\u2019t anticipated\twhat\tit\twould\tfeel\tlike\tto\tbe\tshut\tin\ta\troom\twith\ttwo\tHawthornes\u2014 particularly\tthese\ttwo.\tAs\twe\tworked,\tGrayson\tbehind\tme\tand\tJameson\tabove,\tI wondered\tif\tthey\u2019d\talways\tbeen\tlike\toil\tand\twater,\tif\tGrayson\thad\talways\ttaken himself\t too\t seriously,\t if\t Jameson\t had\t always\t made\t a\t game\t of\t taking\t nothing seriously\tat\tall.\tI\twondered\tif\tthe\ttwo\tof\tthem\thad\tgrown\tup\tslotted\tinto\tthe\troles of\their\tand\tspare\tonce\tNash\thad\tmade\tit\tclear\the\twould\tabdicate\tthe\tHawthorne throne. I\twondered\tif\tthey\u2019d\tgotten\talong\tbefore\tEmily. \u201cThere\u2019s\tnothing\there.\u201d\tGrayson\tpunctuated\tthat\tstatement\tby\tplacing\ta\tbook back\ton\tthe\tshelf\ta\tlittle\ttoo\thard. \u201cCoincidentally,\u201d\tJameson\tcommented\tup\tabove,\t\u201cyou\talso\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tbe here.\u201d \u201cIf\tshe\u2019s\there,\tI\u2019m\there.\u201d \u201cAvery\t doesn\u2019t\t bite.\u201d\t For\t once,\t Jameson\t referred\t to\t me\t by\t my\t actual\t name. \u201cFrankly,\t now\t that\t the\t issue\t of\t relatedness\t has\t been\t settled\t in\t the\t negative,\t I\u2019d be\tgame\tif\tshe\tdid.\u201d I\t choked\t on\t my\t own\t spit\t and\t seriously\t considered\t throttling\t him.\t He\t was baiting\tGrayson\u2014and\tusing\tme\tto\tdo\tit. \u201cJamie?\u201d\tGrayson\tsounded\talmost\ttoo\tcalm.\t\u201cShut\tup\tand\tkeep\tlooking.\u201d I\t did\t exactly\t that.\t Book\t off,\t cover\t off,\t cover\t on,\t book\t reshelved.\t The\t hours ticked\tby.\tGrayson\tand\tI\tworked\tour\tway\ttoward\teach\tother.\tWhen\the\twas\tclose enough\t that\t I\t could\t see\t him\t out\t of\t the\t corner\t of\t my\t eye,\t he\t spoke,\t his\t voice barely\taudible\tto\tme\u2014and\tnot\taudible\tto\tJameson\tat\tall. \u201cMy\tbrother\u2019s\tgrieving\tfor\tour\tgrandfather.\tSurely,\tyou\tcan\tunderstand\tthat.\u201d I\tcould,\tand\tI\tdid.\tI\tsaid\tnothing. \u201cHe\u2019s\ta\tsensation\tseeker.\tPain.\tFear.\tJoy.\tIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter.\u201d\tGrayson\thad\tmy full\t attention\t now,\t and\t he\t knew\t it.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t hurting,\t and\t he\t needs\t the\t rush\t of\t the game.\tHe\tneeds\tfor\tthis\tto\tmean\tsomething.\u201d","This\tas\tin\this\tgrandfather\u2019s\tletter?\tThe\twill?\tMe? \u201cAnd\t you\t don\u2019t\t think\t it\t does,\u201d\t I\t said,\t keeping\t my\t own\t voice\t low.\t Grayson didn\u2019t\t think\t I\t was\t special,\t didn\u2019t\t believe\t this\t was\t the\t kind\t of\t puzzle\t worth solving. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthat\tyou\thave\tto\tbe\tthe\tvillain\tof\tthis\tstory\tto\tbe\ta\tthreat\tto\tthis family.\u201d If\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t already\t met\t Nash,\t I\t would\t have\t pegged\t Grayson\t as\t the\t oldest brother. \u201cYou\t keep\t talking\t about\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t family,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cBut\t this\t isn\u2019t\t just about\tthem.\tI\u2019m\ta\tthreat\tto\tyou.\u201d I\u2019d\t inherited\t his\t fortune.\t I\t was\t living\t in\t his\t house.\t His\t grandfather\t had chosen\tme. Grayson\t was\t right\t beside\t me\t now.\t \u201cI\t am\t not\t threatened.\u201d\t He\t wasn\u2019t imposing\tphysically.\tI\thad\tnever\tseen\thim\tlose\tcontrol.\tBut\tthe\tcloser\the\tcame\tto me,\tthe\tmore\tmy\tbody\tthrew\titself\tinto\thigh\talert. \u201cHeiress?\u201d I\tstartled\twhen\tJameson\tspoke.\tReflexively,\tI\tstepped\taway\tfrom\this\tbrother. \u201cYes?\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tI\tfound\tsomething.\u201d I\t pushed\t past\t Grayson\t to\t make\t my\t way\t to\t the\t stairs.\t Jameson\t had\t found something.\tA\tbook\tthat\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatch\tits\tcover.\tThat\twas\tan\tassumption\ton\tmy part,\t but\t the\t instant\t I\t hit\t the\t second\t story\t and\t saw\t the\t smile\t on\t Jameson Hawthorne\u2019s\tlips,\tI\tknew\tthat\tI\twas\tright. He\theld\tup\ta\thardcover\tbook. I\tread\tthe\ttitle.\t\u201cSail\tAway.\u201d \u201cAnd\t on\t the\t inside\u2026\u201d\t Jameson\t was\t a\t showman\t at\t heart.\t He\t removed\t the cover\t with\t a\t flourish\t and\t tossed\t me\t the\t book.\t The\t Tragical\t History\t of\t Doctor Faustus. \u201cFaust,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cThe\tdevil\tyou\tknow,\u201d\tJameson\treplied.\t\u201cOr\tthe\tdevil\tyou\tdon\u2019t.\u201d It\t could\t have\t been\t a\t coincidence.\t We\t could\t have\t been\t reading\t meaning where\t there\t was\t none,\t like\t people\t trying\t to\t intuit\t the\t future\t in\t the\t shape\t of clouds.\t But\t that\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t the\t hairs\t on\t my\t arms\t from\t rising.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t my heart\tfrom\tracing. Everything\tis\tsomething\tin\tHawthorne\tHouse. That\t thought\t beat\t in\t my\t pulse\t as\t I\t opened\t the\t copy\t of\t Faust\t in\t my\t hands. There,\ttaped\tto\tthe\tinside\tcover,\twas\ta\ttranslucent\tred\tsquare.","\u201cJameson.\u201d\tI\tjerked\tmy\teyes\tup\tfrom\tthe\tbook.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\tsomething\there.\u201d Grayson\t must\t have\t been\t listening\t to\t us\t down\t below,\t but\t he\t said\t nothing. Jameson\twas\tbeside\tme\tin\tan\tinstant.\tHe\tbrought\this\tfingers\tto\tthe\tred\tsquare.\tIt was\t thin,\t made\t of\t some\t kind\t of\t plastic\t film,\t maybe\t four\t inches\t long\t on\t each side. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthis?\u201d\tI\tasked. Jameson\t took\t the\t book\t gingerly\t from\t my\t hands\t and\t carefully\t removed\t the square\tfrom\tthe\tbook.\tHe\theld\tit\tup\tto\tthe\tlight. \u201cFilter\t paper.\u201d\t That\t came\t from\t down\t below.\t Grayson\t stood\t in\t the\t center\t of the\t room,\t looking\t up\t at\t us.\t \u201cRed\t acetate.\t A\t favorite\t of\t our\t grandfather\u2019s, particularly\tuseful\tfor\trevealing\thidden\tmessages.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsuppose\tthe\ttext\tof\tthat book\tis\twritten\tin\tred?\u201d I\tflipped\tto\tthe\tfirst\tpage.\t\u201cBlack\tink,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tI\tkept\tflipping.\tThe\tcolor\tof\tthe ink\t never\t changed,\t but\t a\t few\t pages\t in,\t I\t found\t a\t word\t that\t had\t been\t circled\t in pencil.\tA\trush\tof\tadrenaline\tshot\tthrough\tmy\tveins.\t\u201cDid\tyour\tgrandfather\thave a\thabit\tof\twriting\tin\tbooks?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cIn\t a\t first\t edition\t of\t Faust?\u201d\t Jameson\t snorted.\t I\t had\t no\t idea\t how\t much money\tthis\tbook\twas\tworth,\tor\thow\tmuch\tof\tits\tvalue\thad\tbeen\tsquandered\twith that\t one\t little\t circle\t on\t the\t page\u2014but\t I\t knew\t in\t my\t bones\t that\t we\t were\t onto something. \u201cWhere,\u201d\t I\t read\t the\t word\t out\t loud.\t Neither\t brother\t provided\t any commentary,\t so\t I\t flipped\t another\t page\t and\t then\t another.\t It\t was\t fifty\t or\t more before\tI\thit\tanother\tcircled\tword. \u201cA\u2026\u201d\tI\tkept\tturning\tthe\tpages.\tThe\tcircled\twords\twere\tcoming\tquicker\tnow, sometimes\tin\tpairs.\t\u201cThere\tis\u2026\u201d Jameson\tgrabbed\t a\tpen\t off\ta\t nearby\t shelf.\tHe\t didn\u2019t\t have\t any\tpaper,\t so\t he started\twriting\tthe\twords\ton\tthe\tback\tof\this\tleft\thand.\t\u201cKeep\tgoing.\u201d I\t did.\t \u201cA\t again\u2026\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cThere\t is\t again.\u201d\t I\t was\t almost\t to\t the\t end\t of\t the book.\t \u201cWay,\u201d\t I\t said\t finally.\t I\t turned\t the\t pages\t more\t slowly\t now.\t Nothing. Nothing.\tNothing.\tFinally,\tI\tlooked\tup\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tit.\u201d I\t closed\t the\t book.\t Jameson\t held\t his\t hand\t up\t in\t front\t of\t his\t body,\t and\t I stepped\t closer\t to\t get\t a\t better\t look.\t I\t brought\t my\t hand\t to\t his,\t reading\t the\t words he\u2019d\twritten\tthere.\tWhere.\tA.\tThere\tis.\tA.\tThere\tis.\tWay. What\twere\twe\tsupposed\tto\tdo\twith\tthat? \u201cChange\t the\t order\t of\t the\t words?\u201d\t I\t asked.\t It\t was\t a\t common\t enough\t type\t of word\tpuzzle. Jameson\u2019s\teyes\tlit\tup.\t\u201cWhere\tthere\tis\ta\u2026\u201d","I\tpicked\tup\twhere\the\u2019d\tleft\toff.\t\u201cThere\tis\ta\tway.\u201d Jameson\u2019s\tlips\tcurved\tupward.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tmissing\ta\tword,\u201d\the\tmurmured.\t\u201cWill. Another\tproverb.\tWhere\tthere\u2019s\ta\twill,\tthere\u2019s\ta\tway.\u201d\tHe\tflicked\tthe\tred\tacetate in\t his\t hand,\t back\t and\t forth,\t as\t he\t thought\t out\t loud.\t \u201cWhen\t you\t look\t through\t a colored\t filter,\t lines\t of\t that\t color\t disappear.\t It\u2019s\t one\t way\t of\t writing\t hidden messages.\tYou\tlayer\tthe\ttext\tin\tdifferent\tcolors.\tThe\tbook\tis\twritten\tin\tblack\tink, so\t the\t acetate\t isn\u2019t\t meant\t to\t be\t used\t on\t the\t book.\u201d\t Jameson\t was\t talking\t faster now,\tthe\tenergy\tin\this\tvoice\tcontagious. Grayson\t spoke\t up\t from\t the\t room\u2019s\t epicenter.\t \u201cHence\t the\t message\t in\t the book,\tdirecting\tus\twhere\tto\tmake\tuse\tof\tthe\tfilm.\u201d They\twere\tused\tto\tplaying\ttheir\tgrandfather\u2019s\tgames.\tThey\u2019d\tbeen\ttrained\tto from\tthe\ttime\tthey\twere\tyoung.\tI\thadn\u2019t,\tbut\ttheir\tback-and-forth\thad\tgiven\tme just\tenough\tto\tconnect\tthe\tdots.\tThe\tacetate\twas\tmeant\tto\treveal\tsecret\twriting, but\tnot\tin\tthe\tbook.\tInstead,\tthe\tbook,\tlike\tthe\tletter\tbefore\tit,\tcontained\ta\tclue\u2014 in\tthis\tcase,\ta\tphrase\twith\ta\tsingle\tmissing\tword. Where\tthere\u2019s\ta\twill,\tthere\u2019s\ta\tway. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tthe\tchances\tare,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tslowly,\tturning\tthe\tpuzzle\tover\tin my\t mind,\t \u201cthat\t somewhere,\t there\u2019s\t a\t copy\t of\t your\t grandfather\u2019s\t will\t written\t in red\tink?\u201d","CHAPTER\t34 I\t asked\t Alisa\t about\t the\t will.\t I\t half\t expected\t her\t to\t look\t at\t me\t like\t I\u2019d\t lost\t my marbles,\tbut\tthe\tsecond\tI\tsaid\tthe\tword\tred,\ther\texpression\tshifted.\tShe\tinformed me\t that\t a\t viewing\t of\t the\t Red\t Will\t could\t be\t arranged,\t but\t first\t I\t had\t to\t do something\t for\t her.\t That\t something\t ended\t up\t involving\t a\t brother-sister\t stylist team\tcarting\twhat\tappeared\tto\tbe\tthe\tentire\tinventory\tof\tSaks\tFifth\tAvenue\tinto my\tbedroom.\tThe\tfemale\tstylist\twas\ttiny\tand\tsaid\tnext\tto\tnothing. The\tman\twas\tsix\tfoot\tsix\tand\tkept\tup\ta\tsteady\tstream\tof\tobservations.\t\u201cYou can\u2019t\t wear\t yellow,\t and\t I\t would\t encourage\t you\t to\t banish\t the\t words\t orange\t and cream\tfrom\tyour\tvocabulary,\tbut\tmost\tevery\tother\tcolor\tis\tan\toption.\u201d\tThe\tthree of\tus\twere\tin\tmy\troom\tnow,\talong\twith\tLibby,\tthirteen\tracks\tof\tclothing,\tdozens of\t trays\t of\t jewelry,\t and\t what\t appeared\t to\t be\t an\t entire\t salon\t set\t up\t in\t the bathroom.\t \u201cBrights,\t pastels,\t earth\t tones\t in\t moderation.\t You\t gravitate\t toward solids?\u201d I\t looked\t down\t at\t my\t current\t outfit:\t a\t gray\t T-shirt\t and\t my\t second-most- comfortable\tpair\tof\tjeans.\t\u201cI\tlike\tsimple.\u201d \u201cSimple\tis\ta\tlie,\u201d\tthe\twoman\tmurmured.\t\u201cBut\ta\tbeautiful\tone\tsometimes.\u201d Beside\t me,\t Libby\t snorted\t and\t bit\t back\t a\t grin.\t I\t glared\t at\t her.\t \u201cYou\u2019re enjoying\t this,\t aren\u2019t\t you?\u201d\t I\t asked\t darkly.\t Then\t I\t took\t in\t the\t outfit\t she\t was wearing.\t The\t dress\t was\t black,\t which\t was\t Libby\t enough,\t but\t the\t style\t would have\tfit\tright\tin\tat\ta\tcountry\tclub. I\u2019d\t told\t Alisa\t not\t to\t pressure\t her.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t have\t to\t change\t how\t you\u2014\u201d\t I started\tto\tsay,\tbut\tLibby\tcut\tme\toff. \u201cThey\tbribed\tme.\tWith\tboots.\u201d\tShe\tgestured\ttoward\tthe\tback\twall,\twhich\twas lined\twith\tboots,\tall\tof\tthem\tleather,\tin\tshades\tof\tpurple,\tblack,\tand\tblue.\tAnkle- length,\tcalf-length,\teven\tone\tpair\tof\tthigh-highs. \u201cAlso,\u201d\tLibby\tadded\tserenely,\t\u201ccreepy\tlockets.\u201d\tIf\ta\tpiece\tof\tjewelry\tlooked like\tit\tmight\tbe\thaunted,\tLibby\twas\tthere. \u201cYou\tlet\tthem\tmake\tyou\tover\tin\texchange\tfor\tfifteen\tpairs\tof\tboots\tand\tsome creepy\tlockets?\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tfeeling\tmildly\tbetrayed.","\u201cAnd\tsome\tincredibly\tsoft\tleather\tpants,\u201d\tLibby\tadded.\t\u201cTotally\tworth\tit.\tI\u2019m still\t me,\t just\u2026\t fancy.\u201d\t Her\t hair\t was\t still\t blue.\t Her\t nail\t polish\t was\t still\t black. And\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tone\tthe\tstyle\tteam\twas\tfocused\ton\tnow. \u201cWe\t should\t start\t with\t the\t hair,\u201d\t the\t male\t stylist\t declared\t beside\t me,\t eyeing my\toffending\ttresses.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tthink?\u201d\the\tasked\this\tsister. There\t was\t no\t reply\t as\t the\t woman\t disappeared\t behind\t one\t of\t the\t racks.\t I could\thear\ther\tthumbing\tthrough\tanother,\trearranging\tthe\torder\tof\tthe\tclothing. \u201cThick.\t Not\t quite\t wavy,\t not\t quite\t straight.\t You\t could\t go\t either\t way.\u201d\t This giant\tman\tlooked\tand\tsounded\tlike\the\tshould\tbe\tplaying\ttight\tend,\tnot\tadvising me\t on\t hairstyles.\t \u201cNo\t shorter\t than\t two\t inches\t below\t your\t chin,\t no\t longer\t than mid-back.\t Gentle\t layers\t wouldn\u2019t\t hurt.\u201d\t He\t glanced\t over\t at\t Libby.\t \u201cI\t suggest you\tdisown\ther\tif\tshe\topts\tfor\tbangs.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\t take\t that\t under\t consideration,\u201d\t Libby\t said\t solemnly.\t \u201cYou\u2019d\t be miserable\tif\tit\twasn\u2019t\tlong\tenough\tfor\ta\tponytail,\u201d\tshe\ttold\tme. \u201cPonytail.\u201d\t That\t got\t me\t a\t censuring\t look\t from\t the\t linebacker.\t \u201cDo\t you\t hate your\thair\tand\twant\tit\tto\tsuffer?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\thate\tit.\u201d\tI\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\tjust\tdon\u2019t\tcare.\u201d \u201cThat\t is\t also\t a\t lie.\u201d\t The\t woman\t reappeared\t from\t behind\t the\t clothing\t rack. She\t had\t a\t half\t dozen\t hangers\u2019\t worth\t of\t clothes\t in\t her\t hands,\t and\t as\t I\t watched, she\t hung\t them\t up,\t face\t out,\t on\t the\t closest\t rack.\t The\t result\t was\t three\t different outfits. \u201cClassic.\u201d\tShe\tnodded\tto\tan\tice-blue\tskirt,\tpaired\twith\ta\tlong-sleeved\tT-shirt. \u201cNatural.\u201d\tThe\tstylist\tmoved\ton\tto\tthe\tsecond\toption\u2014a\tloose\tand\tflowing\tfloral dress\tcombining\tat\tleast\ta\tdozen\tshades\tof\tred\tand\tpink.\t\u201cPreppy\twith\tan\tedge.\u201d The\tfinal\toption\tincluded\ta\tbrown\tleather\tskirt,\tshorter\tthan\tany\tof\tthe\tothers\u2014 and\t probably\t tighter,\t too.\t She\u2019d\t matched\t it\t with\t a\t white\t collared\t shirt\t and\t a heather-gray\tcardigan. \u201cWhich\t calls\t to\t you?\u201d\t the\t male\t stylist\t asked.\t That\t got\t another\t snort\t out\t of Libby.\tShe\twas\tdefinitely\tenjoying\tthis\tway\ttoo\tmuch. \u201cThey\u2019re\t all\t fine.\u201d\t I\t eyed\t the\t floral\t dress.\t \u201cThat\t one\t looks\t like\t it\t might\t be itchy.\u201d The\tstylists\tseemed\tto\tbe\tdeveloping\ta\tmigraine.\t\u201cCasual\toptions?\u201d\the\tasked his\tsister,\tpained.\tShe\tdisappeared\tand\treappeared\twith\tthree\tmore\toutfits,\twhich she\tadded\tto\tthe\tfirst\tthree.\tBlack\tleggings,\ta\tred\tblouse,\tand\ta\tknee-length\twhite cardigan\t were\t paired\t with\t the\t classic\t combo.\t A\t lacy\t sea-green\t shirt\t and\t darker green\tpants\tjoined\tthe\tfloral\tmonstrosity,\tand\tan\toversized\tcashmere\tsweater\tand torn\tjeans\twere\thung\tbeside\tthe\tleather\tskirt.","\u201cClassic.\tNatural.\tPreppy\twith\tan\tedge.\u201d\tThe\twoman\treiterated\tmy\toptions. \u201cI\thave\tphilosophical\tobjections\tto\tcolored\tpants,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cSo\tthat\tone\u2019s\tout.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tjust\tlook\tat\tthe\tclothes,\u201d\tthe\tman\tinstructed.\t\u201cTake\tin\tthe\tlook.\u201d Rolling\tmy\teyes\tat\tsomeone\ttwice\tmy\tsize\tprobably\twasn\u2019t\tthe\twisest\tcourse of\taction. The\t female\t stylist\t crossed\t to\t me.\t She\t walked\t lightly\t on\t her\t feet,\t like\t she could\ttiptoe\tacross\ta\tbed\tof\tflowers\twithout\tbreaking\ta\tsingle\tone.\t\u201cThe\tway\tyou dress,\t the\t way\t you\t do\t your\t hair\u2014it\u2019s\t not\t silly.\t It\u2019s\t not\t shallow.\t This\u2026\u201d\t She gestured\tto\tthe\track\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tjust\tclothing.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tmessage.\tYou\u2019re\tnot deciding\twhat\tto\twear.\tYou\u2019re\tdeciding\twhat\tstory\tyou\twant\tyour\timage\tto\ttell. Are\tyou\tthe\tingenue,\tyoung\tand\tsweet?\tDo\tyou\tdress\tto\tthis\tworld\tof\twealth\tand wonders\tlike\tyou\twere\tborn\tto\tit,\tor\tdo\tyou\twant\tto\twalk\tthe\tline:\tthe\tsame\tbut different,\tyoung\tbut\tfull\tof\tsteel?\u201d \u201cWhy\tdo\tI\thave\tto\ttell\ta\tstory?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cBecause\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\t tell\t the\t story,\t someone\t else\t will\t tell\t it\t for\t you.\u201d\t I turned\t to\t see\t Xander\t Hawthorne\t standing\t in\t the\t doorway,\t holding\t a\t plate\t of scones.\t \u201cMakeovers,\u201d\t he\t told\t me,\t \u201clike\t the\t recreational\t building\t of\t Rube Goldberg\tmachines,\tare\thungry\twork.\u201d I\twanted\tto\tnarrow\tmy\teyes,\tbut\tXander\tand\this\tscones\twere\tglare-proof. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tknow\tabout\tmakeovers?\u201d\tI\tgrumbled.\t\u201cIf\tI\twere\ta\tguy,\tthere\u2019d be\ttwo\tracks\tof\tclothing\tin\tthis\troom,\tmax.\u201d \u201cAnd\tif\tI\twere\tWhite,\u201d\tXander\treturned\tloftily,\t\u201cpeople\twouldn\u2019t\tlook\tat\tme like\tI\u2019m\thalf\ta\tHawthorne.\tScone?\u201d That\t took\t the\t wind\t out\t of\t my\t sails.\t It\t was\t ridiculous\t of\t me\t to\t think\t that Xander\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what\t it\t was\t like\t to\t be\t judged,\t or\t to\t have\t to\t play\t life\t by different\t rules.\t I\t wondered,\t suddenly,\t what\t it\t was\t like\t for\t him,\t growing\t up\t in this\thouse.\tGrowing\tup\tHawthorne. \u201cCan\t I\t have\t one\t of\t the\t blueberry\t scones?\u201d\t I\t asked\u2014my\t version\t of\t a\t peace offering. Xander\thanded\tme\ta\tlemon\tscone.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tnot\tget\tahead\tof\tourselves.\u201d With\tonly\ta\tmoderate\tamount\tof\tteeth-gnashing,\tI\tended\tup\tpicking\toption\tthree. I\t hated\t the\t word\t preppy\t almost\t as\t much\t as\t I\t disliked\t any\t claims\t to\t having\t an edge,\tbut\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tday,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tpretend\tto\tbe\twide-eyed\tand\tinnocent, and\t I\t deeply\t suspected\t that\t any\t attempts\t to\t act\t like\t this\t world\t was\t a\t natural\t fit","would\titch\u2014not\tphysically,\tbut\tunder\tmy\tskin. The\tteam\tkept\t my\thair\tlong\tbut\tworked\tin\t layers\tand\tcajoled\tit\tinto\ta\tbed- head\twave.\tI\u2019d\texpected\tthem\tto\tsuggest\thighlights,\tbut\tthey\u2019d\tgone\tthe\topposite route:\tsubtle\tstreaks\ta\tshade\tdarker\tand\tricher\tthan\tmy\tnormal\tashy\tbrown.\tThey cleaned\tmy\teyebrows\tup\tbut\tleft\tthem\tthick.\tI\twas\tinstructed\ton\tthe\tfiner\tpoints of\tan\telaborate\tfacial\tregimen\tand\tfound\tmyself\ton\tthe\treceiving\tend\tof\ta\tspray tan\tvia\tairbrush,\tbut\tthey\tkept\tmy\tmakeup\tminimal:\teyes\tand\tlips,\tnothing\tmore. Looking\tat\tmyself\tin\tthe\tmirror,\tI\tcould\talmost\tbelieve\tthat\tthe\tgirl\tstaring\tback belonged\tin\tthis\thouse. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tturning\tto\tLibby. She\t was\t standing\t near\t the\t window,\t backlit.\t Her\t hand\t was\t clutching\t her phone,\ther\teyes\tglued\tto\tthe\tscreen. \u201cLib?\u201d She\tlooked\tup\tand\tgave\tme\ta\tdeer-in-headlights\tlook\tthat\tI\trecognized\tall\ttoo well. Drake.\tHe\twas\ttexting\ther.\tWas\tshe\ttexting\tback? \u201cYou\t look\t great!\u201d\t Libby\t sounded\t sincere,\t because\t she\t was\t sincere.\t Always. Sincere\tand\tearnest\tand\tway,\tway\ttoo\toptimistic. He\thit\ther,\tI\ttold\tmyself.\tHe\tsold\tus\tout.\tShe\twon\u2019t\ttake\thim\tback. \u201cYou\t look\t fantastic,\u201d\t Xander\t declared\t grandly.\t \u201cYou\t also\t don\u2019t\t look\t like someone\twho\tmight\thave\tseduced\tan\told\tman\tout\tof\tbillions,\tso\tthat\u2019s\tgood.\u201d \u201cReally,\t Alexander?\u201d\t Zara\t announced\t her\t presence\t with\t next\t to\t no\t fanfare. \u201cNo\tone\tbelieves\tthat\tAvery\tseduced\tyour\tgrandfather.\u201d Her\t story\u2014her\t image\u2014was\t somewhere\t between\t oozing\t class\t and\t no- nonsense.\t But\t I\u2019d\t seen\t her\t press\t conference.\t I\t knew\t that\t while\t she\t might\t care about\ther\tfather\u2019s\treputation,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tany\tparticular\tattachment\tto\tmine. The\tworse\tI\tlooked,\tthe\tbetter\tfor\ther.\tUnless\tthe\tgame\thas\tchanged. \u201cAvery.\u201d\tZara\tgave\tme\ta\tsmile\tas\tcool\tas\tthe\twinter\tcolors\tshe\twore.\t\u201cMight I\thave\ta\tword?\u201d","CHAPTER\t35 Zara\tdidn\u2019t\tspeak\timmediately\tonce\tthe\ttwo\tof\tus\twere\talone.\tI\tdecided\tthat\tif she\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tbreak\tthe\tsilence,\tI\twould.\t\u201cYou\ttalked\tto\tthe\tlawyers.\u201d\tThat was\tthe\tobvious\texplanation\tfor\twhy\tshe\twas\there. \u201cI\t did.\u201d\t Zara\t offered\t no\t apologies.\t \u201cAnd\t now\t I\u2019m\t talking\t to\t you.\t I\u2019m\t sure you\t can\t forgive\t me\t for\t not\t doing\t so\t sooner.\t As\t you\t can\t imagine,\t this\t has\t all come\tas\ta\tbit\tof\ta\tshock.\u201d A\t bit?\t I\t snorted\t and\t cut\t through\t the\t niceties.\t \u201cYou\t held\t a\t press\t conference strongly\t suggesting\t that\t your\t father\t was\t senile\t and\t that\t I\u2019m\t under\t investigation by\tthe\tauthorities\tfor\telder\tabuse.\u201d Zara\t perched\t at\t the\t end\t of\t an\t antique\t desk\u2014one\t of\t the\t few\t surfaces\t in\t the room\t not\t covered\t with\t accessories\t or\t clothes.\t \u201cYes,\t well,\t you\t can\t thank\t your legal\tteam\tfor\tnot\tmaking\tcertain\trealities\tapparent\tsooner.\u201d \u201cIf\tI\tget\tnothing,\tyou\tget\tnothing.\u201d\tI\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tlet\ther\tcome\tin\there\tand dance\taround\tthe\ttruth. \u201cYou\t look\u2026\t nice.\u201d\t Zara\t changed\t the\t subject\t and\t eyed\t my\t new\t outfit.\t \u201cNot what\tI\twould\thave\tchosen\tfor\tyou,\tbut\tyou\u2019re\tpresentable.\u201d Presentable,\twith\tan\tedge.\t\u201cThanks,\u201d\tI\tgrunted. \u201cYou\t can\t thank\t me\t once\t I\u2019ve\t done\t what\t I\t can\t to\t ease\t you\t through\t this transition.\u201d I\twasn\u2019t\tnaive\tenough\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tshe\u2019d\thad\ta\tsudden\tchange\tof\theart.\tIf she\u2019d\t despised\t me\t before,\t she\t despised\t me\t now.\t The\t difference\t was\t that\t now she\t needed\t something.\t I\t figured\t that\t if\t I\t waited\t long\t enough,\t she\u2019d\t tell\t me exactly\twhat\tthat\tsomething\twas. \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t sure\t how\t much\t Alisa\t has\t told\t you,\t but\t in\t addition\t to\t my\t father\u2019s personal\tassets,\tyou\thave\talso\tinherited\tcontrol\tof\tthe\tfamily\u2019s\tfoundation.\u201d\tZara took\tmeasure\tof\tmy\texpression\tbefore\tcontinuing.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tone\tof\tthe\tlargest\tprivate charitable\t foundations\t in\t the\t country.\t We\t give\t away\t upward\t of\t a\t hundred million\tdollars\ta\tyear.\u201d A\t hundred\t million\t dollars.\t I\t was\t never\t going\t to\t get\t used\t to\t this.\t Numbers","like\tthat\twere\tnever\tgoing\tto\tseem\treal.\t\u201cEvery\tyear?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tstunned. Zara\tsmiled\tplacidly.\t\u201cCompound\tinterest\tis\ta\tlovely\tthing.\u201d A\thundred\tmillion\tdollars\ta\tyear\tin\tinterest\u2014and\tshe\twas\tjust\ttalking\tabout the\t foundation,\t not\t Tobias\t Hawthorne\u2019s\t personal\t fortune.\t For\t the\t first\t time,\t I actually\tran\tthe\tmath\tin\tmy\thead.\tEven\tif\ttaxes\ttook\thalf\tof\tthe\testate,\tand\tI\tonly averaged\ta\tfour-percent\tyield\u2014I\u2019d\tstill\tbe\tmaking\tnearly\ta\tbillion\tdollars\ta\tyear. Doing\tnothing.\tThat\twas\tjust\twrong. \u201cWho\tdoes\tthe\tfoundation\tgive\tits\tmoney\tto?\u201d\tI\tasked\tquietly. Zara\t pushed\t off\t the\t desk\t and\t began\t pacing\t the\t length\t of\t the\t room.\t \u201cThe Hawthorne\t Foundation\t invests\t in\t children\t and\t families,\t health\t initiatives, scientific\tadvancement,\tcommunity\tbuilding,\tand\tthe\tarts.\u201d Under\t those\t headings,\t you\t could\t support\t nearly\t anything.\t I\t could\t support nearly\tanything. I\tcould\tchange\tthe\tworld. \u201cI\u2019ve\t spent\t my\t entire\t adult\t life\t running\t the\t foundation.\u201d\t Zara\u2019s\t lips\t pulled tight\t across\t her\t teeth.\t \u201cThere\t are\t organizations\t that\t rely\t on\t our\t support.\t If\t you intend\t to\t exert\t yourself,\t there\u2019s\t a\t right\t way\t and\t a\t wrong\t way\t to\t do\t that.\u201d\t She stopped\tright\tin\tfront\tof\tme.\t\u201cYou\tneed\tme,\tAvery.\tAs\tmuch\tas\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\twash my\t hands\t of\t all\t of\t this,\t I\u2019ve\t worked\t too\t long\t and\t too\t hard\t to\t see\t that\t work undone.\u201d I\t listened\t to\t what\t she\t was\t saying\u2014and\t what\t she\t wasn\u2019t.\t \u201cDoes\t the foundation\tpay\tyou?\u201d\tI\tasked.\tI\tticked\toff\tthe\tseconds\tuntil\ther\treply. \u201cI\tdraw\ta\tsalary\tcommensurate\twith\tthe\tskills\tI\tbring.\u201d As\t satisfying\t as\t it\t would\t have\t been\t to\t tell\t her\t that\t her\t services\t would\t no longer\t be\t needed,\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t that\t impulsive,\t and\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t cruel.\t \u201cI\t want\t to\t be involved,\u201d\tI\ttold\ther.\t\u201cAnd\tnot\tjust\tfor\tshow.\tI\twant\tto\tmake\tdecisions.\u201d Homelessness.\t Poverty.\t Domestic\t violence.\t Access\t to\t preventative\t care. What\tcould\tI\tdo\twith\ta\thundred\tmillion\tdollars\ta\tyear? \u201cYou\u2019re\tyoung\tenough,\u201d\tZara\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\talmost\twistful,\t\u201cto\tbelieve\tthat money\tsolves\tall\tills.\u201d Spoken\tlike\ta\tperson\tso\trich\tshe\tcan\u2019t\timagine\tthe\tweight\tof\tproblems\tmoney can\tsolve. \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tserious\tabout\ttaking\ta\trole\tat\tthe\tfoundation\u2026\u201d\tZara\tsounded\tlike she\twas\tenjoying\tsaying\tthat\tabout\tas\tmuch\tas\tshe\twould\thave\tenjoyed\tdumpster diving\tor\ta\troot\tcanal.\t\u201cI\tcan\tteach\tyou\twhat\tyou\tneed\tto\tknow.\tMonday.\tAfter school.\tAt\tthe\tfoundation.\u201d\tShe\tissued\teach\tpart\tof\tthat\torder\tas\tits\town\tseparate sentence.","The\tdoor\topened\tbefore\tI\tcould\task\twhere\texactly\tthe\tfoundation\twas.\tOren took\t up\t position\t beside\t me.\t The\t women\t will\t come\t after\t you\t in\t the\t courtroom, he\u2019d\ttold\tme.\tBut\tnow\tZara\tknew\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tcome\tafter\tme\tlegally. And\tmy\thead\tof\tsecurity\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tme\tin\tthis\troom\twith\ther\talone.","CHAPTER\t36 The\t next\t day\u2014Sunday\u2014Oren\t drove\t me\t to\t Ortega,\t McNamara,\t and\t Jones\t to see\tthe\tRed\tWill. \u201cAvery.\u201d\tAlisa\tmet\tOren\tand\tme\tin\tthe\tfirm\u2019s\tlobby.\tThe\tplace\twas\tmodern: minimalist\tand\tfull\tof\tchrome.\tThe\tbuilding\tlooked\tbig\tenough\tto\thost\ta\thundred lawyers,\t but\t as\t Alisa\t walked\t us\t past\t a\t receptionist\t and\t security\t guard\t to\t an elevator\tbank,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tanother\tsoul. \u201cYou\tsaid\tI\twas\tthe\tfirm\u2019s\tonly\tclient,\u201d\tI\tcommented\tas\tthe\televator\tbegan\tto climb.\t\u201cExactly\thow\tbig\tis\tthe\tfirm?\u201d \u201cThere\tare\ta\tfew\tdifferent\tdivisions,\u201d\tAlisa\treplied\tcrisply.\t\u201cMr.\tHawthorne\u2019s assets\twere\tquite\tdiversified.\tThat\trequires\ta\tdiverse\tarray\tof\tlawyers.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\twill\tI\tasked\tabout,\tit\u2019s\there?\u201d\tMy\tpocket\theld\ta\tgift\tfrom\tJameson: the\t square\t of\t red\t film\t we\u2019d\t discovered\t taped\t to\t the\t inside\t cover\t of\t Faust.\t I\u2019d told\thim\tI\twas\tcoming\there,\tand\the\u2019d\thanded\tit\tover,\tno\tquestions\tasked,\tlike\the trusted\tme\tmore\tthan\the\ttrusted\tany\tof\this\tbrothers. \u201cThe\t Red\t Will\t is\t here,\u201d\t Alisa\t confirmed.\t She\t turned\t to\t Oren.\t \u201cHow\t much company\t did\t we\t have\t today?\u201d\t she\t asked.\t By\t company,\t she\t meant\t paparazzi. And\tby\twe,\tshe\tmeant\tme. \u201cIt\u2019s\t tapered\t off\t a\t little,\u201d\t Oren\t reported.\t \u201cBut\t odds\t are\t good\t that\t they\u2019ll\t be piled\toutside\tthe\tdoor\tby\tthe\ttime\twe\tleave.\u201d If\t we\t ended\t the\t day\t without\t at\t least\t one\t headline\t that\t said\t something\t along the\tlines\tof\tWorld\u2019s\tRichest\tTeenager\tLawyers\tUp,\tI\u2019d\teat\ta\tpair\tof\tLibby\u2019s\tnew boots. On\tthe\tthird\tfloor,\twe\tpassed\tthrough\tanother\tsecurity\tcheckpoint,\tand\tthen, finally,\t Alisa\t led\t me\t to\t a\t corner\t office.\t The\t room\t was\t furnished\t but\t otherwise empty,\twith\tone\texception.\tSitting\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\theavy\tmahogany\tdesk\twas the\twill.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tI\tsaw\tit,\tOren\thad\ttaken\tup\tposition\toutside\tthe\tdoor.\tAlisa made\t no\t move\t to\t follow\t me\t when\t I\t approached\t the\t desk.\t As\t I\t got\t closer,\t the type\tjumped\tout\tat\tme. Red.","\u201cMy\tfather\twas\tinstructed\tto\tkeep\tthis\tcopy\there\tand\tshow\tit\tto\tyou\u2014or\tthe boys\u2014if\tone\tof\tyou\tcame\tlooking,\u201d\tAlisa\tsaid. I\tlooked\tback\tat\ther.\t\u201cInstructed,\u201d\tI\trepeated.\t\u201cBy\tTobias\tHawthorne?\u201d \u201cNaturally.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\ttell\tNash?\u201d\tI\tasked. A\tcool\tmask\tsettled\tover\ther\tface.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\ttell\tNash\tanything\tanymore.\u201d\tShe gave\tme\ther\tmost\taustere\tlook.\t\u201cIf\tthat\u2019s\tall,\tI\u2019ll\tleave\tyou\tto\tit.\u201d Alisa\t never\t even\t asked\t what\t it\t was.\t I\t waited\t until\t I\t heard\t the\t door\t close behind\ther\tbefore\tI\twent\tto\tsit\tat\tthe\tdesk.\tI\tretrieved\tthe\tfilm\tfrom\tmy\tpocket. \u201cWhere\t there\u2019s\t a\t will\u2026,\u201d\t I\t murmured,\t laying\t the\t square\t flat\t on\t the\t will\u2019s\t first page.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tway.\u201d I\tmoved\tthe\tred\tacetate\tover\tthe\tpaper,\tand\tthe\twords\tbeneath\tit\tdisappeared. Red\ttext.\tRed\tfilm.\tIt\tworked\texactly\tas\tJameson\tand\tGrayson\thad\tdescribed.\tIf the\tentire\twill\twas\twritten\tin\tred,\tall\tthis\twas\tgoing\tto\tdo\twas\tmake\teverything disappear.\t But\t if,\t layered\t underneath\t the\t red\t text,\t there\t was\t another\t color,\t then anything\twritten\tin\tthat\tcolor\twould\tremain\tvisible. I\tmade\tit\tpast\tTobias\tHawthorne\u2019s\tinitial\tbequests\tto\tthe\tLaughlins,\tto\tOren, to\t his\t mother-in-law.\t Nothing.\t I\t got\t to\t the\t bit\t about\t Zara\t and\t Skye,\t and\t as\t I skimmed\t the\t red\t film\t over\t the\t words,\t they\t disappeared.\t I\t glanced\t down\t at\t the next\tsentence. To\t my\t grandsons,\t Nash\t Westbrook\t Hawthorne,\t Grayson\t Davenport Hawthorne,\t Jameson\t Winchester\t Hawthorne,\t and\t Alexander\t Blackwood Hawthorne\u2026 As\tI\tran\tthe\tfilm\tover\tthe\tpage,\tthe\twords\tdisappeared\u2014but\tnot\tall\tof\tthem. Four\tremained. Westbrook. Davenport. Winchester. Blackwood. For\tthe\tfirst\ttime,\tI\tthought\tabout\tthe\tfact\tthat\tall\tfour\tof\tSkye\u2019s\tsons\tbore\ther last\t name,\t their\t grandfather\u2019s\t last\t name.\t Hawthorne.\t Each\t of\t the\t boys\u2019\t middle names\twas\talso\ta\tsurname.\tTheir\tfathers\u2019\tlast\tnames?\tI\twondered.\tAs\tmy\tbrain wrapped\t itself\t around\t that,\t I\t made\t my\t way\t through\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t document. Part\t of\t me\t expected\t to\t see\t something\t when\t I\t hit\t my\t own\t name,\t but\t it disappeared,\t just\t like\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t text\u2014everything\t except\t for\t the\t Hawthorne grandsons\u2019\tmiddle\tnames. \u201cWestbrook.\t Winchester.\t Davenport.\t Blackwood.\u201d\t I\t said\t them\t out\t loud,","committed\tthem\tto\tmemory. And\tthen\tI\ttexted\tJameson\u2014and\twondered\tif\the\twould\ttext\tGrayson.","CHAPTER\t37 Whoa\tthere,\tkid.\tWhere\u2019s\tthe\tfire?\u201d I\t was\t back\t at\t Hawthorne\t House\t and\t headed\t to\t meet\t Jameson\t when\t another Hawthorne\tbrother\tstopped\tme\tin\tmy\ttracks.\tNash. \u201cAvery\tjust\tcame\tfrom\treading\ta\tspecial\tcopy\tof\tthe\twill,\u201d\tAlisa\tsaid\tbehind me.\tSo\tmuch\tfor\ther\tnot\ttelling\ther\tex\tanything\tanymore. \u201cA\tspecial\tcopy\tof\tthe\twill.\u201d\tNash\tslid\this\tgaze\tto\tme.\t\u201cWould\tI\tbe\tcorrect\tin assuming\tthis\thas\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tgobbledygook\tin\tmy\tletter\tfrom\tthe old\tman?\u201d \u201cYour\t letter,\u201d\t I\t repeated,\t my\t brain\t whirring.\t It\t shouldn\u2019t\t have\t come\t as\t a surprise.\t Tobias\t Hawthorne\t had\t left\t Grayson\t and\t Jameson\t with\t identical\t clues. Nash,\ttoo\u2014and\tprobably\tXander. \u201cDon\u2019t\t worry,\u201d\t Nash\t drawled.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sitting\t this\t one\t out.\t I\t told\t you,\t I\t don\u2019t want\tthe\tmoney.\u201d \u201cThe\tmoney\tis\tnot\tat\tstake\there,\u201d\tAlisa\tsaid\tfirmly.\t\u201cThe\twill\u2014\u201d \u201c\u2014is\t ironclad,\u201d\t Nash\t finished\t for\t her.\t \u201cI\t believe\t I\u2019ve\t heard\t that\t a\t time\t or two.\u201d Alisa\u2019s\teyes\tnarrowed.\t\u201cYou\tnever\twere\tvery\tgood\tat\tlistening.\u201d \u201cListen\tdoesn\u2019t\talways\tmean\tagree,\tLee-Lee.\u201d\tNash\u2019s\tuse\tof\tthe\tnickname\u2014 his\tamiable\tsmile\tand\tequally\tamiable\ttone\u2014sucked\tevery\tounce\tof\toxygen\tout of\tthe\troom. \u201cI\tshould\tgo.\u201d\tAlisa\tturned,\twhip-fast,\tto\tme.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tneed\tanything\u2014\u201d \u201cCall,\u201d\t I\t finished,\t wondering\t just\t how\t high\t my\t eyebrows\t had\t risen\t at\t their exchange. When\tAlisa\tclosed\tthe\tfront\tdoor\tbehind\ther,\tshe\tslammed\tit. \u201cYou\t gonna\t tell\t me\t where\t you\u2019re\t headed\t in\t such\t a\t hurry?\u201d\t Nash\t asked\t me again,\tonce\tshe\twas\tgone. \u201cJameson\tasked\tme\tto\tmeet\thim\tin\tthe\tsolarium.\u201d Nash\tcocked\tan\teyebrow\tat\tme.\t\u201cGot\tany\tidea\twhere\tthe\tsolarium\tis?\u201d I\t realized\t belatedly\t that\t I\t didn\u2019t.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t what\t a\t solarium\t is,\u201d\t I","admitted. \u201cSolariums\t are\t overrated.\u201d\t Nash\t shrugged\t and\t gave\t me\t an\t assessing\t look. \u201cTell\tme,\tkid,\twhat\tdo\tyou\tusually\tdo\ton\tyour\tbirthday?\u201d That\t came\t out\t of\t nowhere.\t I\t felt\t like\t that\t had\t to\t be\t a\t trick\t question,\t but\t I answered\tanyway.\t\u201cEat\tcake?\u201d \u201cEvery\t year\t on\t our\t birthdays\u2026\u201d\t Nash\t stared\t off\t into\t the\t distance.\t \u201cThe\t old man\twould\tcall\tus\tinto\this\tstudy\tand\tsay\tthe\tsame\tthree\twords.\tInvest.\tCultivate. Create.\t He\t gave\t us\t ten\t thousand\t dollars\t to\t invest.\t Can\t you\t imagine\t letting\t an eight-year-old\t choose\t stocks?\u201d\t Nash\t snorted.\t \u201cThen\t we\t got\t to\t pick\t a\t talent\t or interest\t to\t cultivate\t for\t the\t year\u2014a\t language,\t a\t hobby,\t an\t art,\t a\t sport.\t No expenses\t were\t spared.\t If\t you\t picked\t piano,\t a\t grand\t piano\t showed\t up\t the\t next day,\tprivate\tlessons\tstarted\timmediately,\tand\tby\tmidway\tthrough\tthe\tyear,\tyou\u2019d be\tbackstage\tat\tCarnegie\tHall,\tgetting\ttips\tfrom\tthe\tgreats.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\t amazing,\u201d\t I\t said,\t thinking\t about\t all\t the\t trophies\t I\u2019d\t seen\t in\t Tobias Hawthorne\u2019s\toffice. Nash\t didn\u2019t\t exactly\t look\t amazed.\t \u201cThe\t old\t man\t also\t laid\t out\t a\t challenge every\t year,\u201d\t he\t continued,\t his\t voice\t hardening.\t \u201cAn\t assignment,\t something\t we were\texpected\tto\tcreate\tby\tthe\tnext\tbirthday.\tAn\tinvention,\ta\tsolution,\ta\twork\tof museum-quality\tart.\tSomething.\u201d I\t thought\t about\t the\t comic\t books\t I\u2019d\t seen\t framed\t on\t the\t wall.\t \u201cThat\t doesn\u2019t sound\thorrible.\u201d \u201cIt\t doesn\u2019t,\t does\t it?\u201d\t Nash\t said,\t ruminating\t on\t those\t words.\t \u201cC\u2019mon.\u201d\t He jerked\this\thead\ttoward\ta\tnearby\tcorridor.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tshow\tyou\tto\tthe\tsolarium.\u201d He\tstarted\twalking,\tand\tI\thad\tto\tjog\tto\tkeep\tup. \u201cDid\t Jameson\t tell\t you\t about\t the\t old\t man\u2019s\t weekly\t riddles?\u201d\t Nash\t asked\t as we\twalked. \u201cYeah,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cHe\tdid.\u201d \u201cSometimes,\u201d\t Nash\t told\t me,\t \u201cat\t the\t beginning\t of\t the\t game,\t the\t old\t man would\t lay\t out\t a\t collection\t of\t objects.\t A\t fishing\t hook,\t a\t price\t tag,\t a\t glass ballerina,\t a\t knife.\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t memory.\t \u201cAnd\t by\t the\t time\t the\t puzzle was\tsolved,\tdamned\tif\twe\thadn\u2019t\tused\tall\tfour.\u201d\tHe\tsmiled,\tbut\tit\tdidn\u2019t\treach\this eyes.\t\u201cI\twas\tso\tmuch\tolder.\tI\thad\tan\tadvantage.\tJamie\tand\tGray,\tthey\u2019d\tteam\tup against\tme,\tthen\tdouble-cross\teach\tother\tright\tat\tthe\tend.\u201d \u201cWhy\t are\t you\t telling\t me\t this?\u201d\t I\t asked\t as\t his\t pace\t finally\t slowed\t to\t a\t near standstill.\t \u201cWhy\t tell\t me\t any\t of\t this?\u201d\t About\t their\t birthdays,\t the\t presents,\t the expectations. Nash\t didn\u2019t\t answer\t right\t away.\t Instead,\t he\t nodded\t down\t a\t nearby\t hall.","\u201cSolarium\u2019s\tthe\tlast\tdoor\ton\tthe\tright.\u201d \u201cThanks,\u201d\t I\t said.\t I\t walked\t toward\t the\t door\t Nash\t had\t indicated,\t and\t right before\tI\treached\tmy\tdestination,\the\tspoke\tup\tbehind\tme. \u201cYou\tmight\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tplaying\tthe\tgame,\tdarlin\u2019,\tbut\tthat\u2019s\tnot\thow\tJamie sees\tit.\u201d\tNash\u2019s\tvoice\twas\tgentle\tenough,\tbut\tfor\tthe\twords.\t\u201cWe\taren\u2019t\tnormal. This\t place\t isn\u2019t\t normal,\t and\t you\u2019re\t not\t a\t player,\t kid.\t You\u2019re\t the\t glass\t ballerina \u2014or\tthe\tknife.\u201d","CHAPTER\t38 The\t solarium\t was\t an\t enormous\t room\t with\t a\t domed\t glass\t ceiling\t and\t glass walls.\t Jameson\t stood\t in\t the\t center,\t bathed\t in\t light\t and\t staring\t up\t at\t the\t dome overhead.\t Like\t the\t first\t time\t I\u2019d\t met\t him,\t he\t was\t shirtless.\t Also\t like\t the\t first time\tI\u2019d\tmet\thim,\the\twas\tdrunk. Grayson\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\toccasion?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tnodding\tto\ta\tnearby\tbottle\tof\tbourbon. \u201cWestbrook,\tDavenport,\tWinchester,\tBlackwood.\u201d\tJameson\trattled\tthe\tnames off,\tone\tby\tone.\t\u201cTell\tme,\tHeiress,\twhat\tdo\tyou\tmake\tof\tthat?\u201d \u201cThey\u2019re\tall\tlast\tnames,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tcautiously.\tI\tpaused\tand\tthen\tdecided\twhy\tthe hell\tnot.\t\u201cYour\tfathers\u2019?\u201d \u201cSkye\t doesn\u2019t\t talk\t about\t our\t fathers,\u201d\t Jameson\t replied,\t his\t voice\t a\t little hoarse.\t\u201cAs\tfar\tas\tshe\u2019s\tconcerned,\tit\u2019s\tan\tAthena-Zeus\ttype\tof\tsituation.\tWe\u2019re hers\tand\thers\talone.\u201d I\tbit\tmy\tlip.\t\u201cShe\ttold\tme\tthat\tshe\thad\tfour\tlovely\tconversations\u2026\u201d \u201cWith\t four\t lovely\t men,\u201d\t Jameson\t finished.\t \u201cBut\t lovely\t enough\t for\t her\t to ever\tsee\tthem\tagain?\tTo\ttell\tus\tthe\tfirst\tthing\tabout\tthem?\u201d\tHis\tvoice\twas\tharder now.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t never\t so\t much\t as\t answered\t a\t question\t about\t our\t damned\t middle names,\t and\t that\u201d\u2014he\t picked\t the\t bourbon\t up\t off\t the\t ground\t and\t took\t a\t swig \u2014\u201cis\t why\t I\u2019m\t drinking.\u201d\t He\t set\t the\t bottle\t back\t down,\t then\t closed\t his\t eyes, standing\tin\tthe\tsun\ta\tmoment\tlonger,\this\tarms\tspread\twide.\tFor\tthe\tsecond\ttime, I\tnoticed\tthe\tscar\tthat\tran\tthe\tlength\tof\this\ttorso. Noticed\teach\tbreath\the\ttook. \u201cShall\twe\tgo?\u201d\tHis\teyes\topened.\tHis\tarms\tdropped. \u201cGo\twhere?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tso\tphysically\taware\tof\this\tpresence\tit\talmost\thurt. \u201cCome\t now,\t Heiress,\u201d\t Jameson\t said,\t stepping\t toward\t me.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t better than\tthat.\u201d I\t swallowed\t and\t answered\t my\t own\t question.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t going\t to\t see\t your mother.\u201d","He\ttook\tme\tthrough\tthe\tcoat\tcloset\tin\tthe\tfoyer.\tThis\ttime,\tI\tpaid\tclose\tattention to\tthe\tsequence\tof\tpanels\ton\tthe\twall\tthat\treleased\tthe\tdoor.\tFollowing\tJameson to\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tcloset,\tpushing\tpast\tthe\tcoats\tthat\thung\tthere,\tI\twilled\tmy\teyes to\tadjust\tto\tthe\tdark\tso\tthat\tI\tcould\tsee\twhat\the\tdid\tnext. He\ttouched\tsomething.\tPulled\tit?\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tmake\tout\twhat.\tThe\tnext\tthing\tI knew,\t I\t heard\t the\t sound\t of\t gears\t turning,\t and\t the\t back\t wall\t of\t the\t closet\t slid sideways.\tIf\tthe\tcloset\twas\tdark,\twhat\tlay\tbeyond\twas\teven\tdarker. \u201cStep\twhere\tI\tstep,\tMystery\tGirl.\tAnd\twatch\tyour\thead.\u201d Jameson\t used\t his\t cell\t phone\t to\t light\t the\t way.\t I\t got\t the\t distinct\t feeling\t that was\tfor\tmy\tbenefit.\tHe\tknew\tthe\ttwists\tand\tturns\tof\tthese\thidden\thallways.\tWe walked\tin\tsilence\tfor\tfive\tminutes\tbefore\the\tstopped\tand\tpeeked\tthrough\twhat\tI could\tonly\tassume\twas\ta\tpeephole. \u201cCoast\t is\t clear.\u201d\t Jameson\t didn\u2019t\t specify\t what\t it\t was\t clear\t of.\t \u201cDo\t you\t trust me?\u201d I\t was\t standing\t in\t a\t phone-lit\t passageway,\t close\t enough\t to\t feel\t his\t body\u2019s heat\ton\tmine.\t\u201cAbsolutely\tnot.\u201d \u201cGood.\u201d\tHe\treached\tout,\tgrabbed\tmy\thand,\tand\tpulled\tme\tclose.\t\u201cHold\ton.\u201d My\tarms\tcurved\taround\thim,\tand\tthe\tground\tbeneath\tour\tfeet\tbegan\tto\tmove. The\twall\tbeside\tus\twas\trotating,\tand\twe\twere\trotating\twith\tit,\tmy\tbody\tpressed flat\t against\t his.\t Jameson\t Winchester\t Hawthorne\u2019s.\t The\t motion\t stopped,\t and\t I stepped\tback. We\t were\t here\t for\t a\t reason\u2014and\t that\t reason\t had\t exactly\t nothing\t to\t do\t with the\tway\tmy\tbody\tfit\tagainst\this. They\t were\t a\t twisted,\t broken\t mess\t before\t you\t got\t here,\t and\t they\u2019ll\t be\t a twisted,\tbroken\tmess\tonce\tyou\u2019re\tgone.\tThe\treminder\techoed\tin\tmy\thead\tas\twe stepped\tout\tinto\ta\tlong\thallway\twith\tplush\tred\tcarpet\tand\tgold\tmoldings\ton\tthe walls.\tJameson\tstrode\ttoward\ta\tdoor\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\thall.\tHe\tlifted\this\thand\tto knock. I\tstopped\thim.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tme\tfor\tthis,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tme\tfor the\twill,\teither.\tAlisa\thad\tinstructions\tto\tlet\tyou\tsee\tit\tif\tyou\tasked.\u201d \u201cI\t need\t you.\u201d\t Jameson\t knew\t exactly\t what\t he\t was\t doing\u2014the\t way\t he\t was looking\tat\tme,\tthe\ttilt\tof\this\tlips.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tyet,\tbut\tI\tdo.\u201d Nash\u2019s\twarning\trang\tin\tmy\thead.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tthe\tknife.\u201d\tI\tswallowed.\t\u201cThe\tfishing hook,\tthe\tglass\tballerina,\twhatever.\u201d That\t almost\t took\t Jameson\t by\t surprise.\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t been\t talking\t to\t one\t of\t my brothers.\u201d\tHe\tpaused.\t\u201cNot\tGrayson.\u201d\tHis\teyes\troved\tover\tmine.\t\u201cXander?\u201d\tHis gaze\tflicked\tdown\tto\tmy\tlips\tand\tup\tagain.\t\u201cNash,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tcertain\tof\tit.","\u201cIs\the\twrong?\u201d\tI\tasked.\tI\tthought\tabout\tTobias\tHawthorne\u2019s\tgrandsons\tgoing to\tsee\thim\ton\ttheir\tbirthdays.\tThey\u2019d\tbeen\texpected\tto\tbe\textraordinary.\tThey\u2019d been\texpected\tto\twin.\t\u201cAm\tI\tjust\ta\tmeans\tto\tan\tend,\tworth\tkeeping\taround\tuntil you\tknow\thow\tI\tfit\tinto\tthe\tpuzzle?\u201d \u201cYou\t are\t the\t puzzle,\t Mystery\t Girl.\u201d\t Jameson\t believed\t that.\t \u201cYou\t could\t tap out,\u201d\the\ttold\tme,\t\u201cdecide\tyou\tcan\tlive\twithout\tanswers,\tor\tyou\tcould\tget\tthem\u2014 with\tme.\u201d An\t invitation.\t A\t challenge.\t I\t told\t myself\t that\t I\t was\t doing\t this\t because\t I needed\tto\tknow\u2014not\tbecause\tof\thim.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tget\tsome\tanswers,\u201d\tI\tsaid. When\t Jameson\t knocked\t on\t the\t door,\t it\t swung\t inward.\t \u201cMom?\u201d\t he\t called, and\tthen\the\tamended\tthe\tsalutation.\t\u201cSkye?\u201d The\tanswer\tcame,\tlike\tthe\ttinkling\tof\tbells.\t\u201cIn\there,\tdarling.\u201d Here,\tit\tbecame\tquickly\tapparent,\twas\tthe\tbathroom\tin\tSkye\u2019s\tsuite. \u201cGot\t a\t second?\u201d\t Jameson\t stopped\t right\t outside\t the\t double\t doors\t to\t the bathroom. \u201cThousands\tof\tthem.\u201d\tSkye\tseemed\tto\trelish\tthe\treply.\t\u201cMillions.\tCome\tin.\u201d Jameson\tstayed\toutside\tthe\tdoors.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tdecent?\u201d \u201cI\tlike\tto\tthink\tso,\u201d\this\tmother\tcalled\tback.\t\u201cAt\tleast\ta\tgood\tfifty\tpercent\tof the\ttime.\u201d Jameson\tpushed\tthe\tbathroom\tdoor\tinward,\tand\tI\twas\tgreeted\tby\tthe\tsight\tof the\tbiggest\tbathtub\tI\u2019d\tever\tseen\tin\tmy\tlife,\tsitting\tup\ton\ta\tdais.\tI\tfocused\ton\tthe tub\u2019s\t claw-feet\u2014gold,\t to\t match\t the\t moldings\t in\t the\t hallway\u2014and\t not\t the woman\tcurrently\tin\tthe\tbathtub. \u201cYou\tsaid\tyou\twere\tdecent.\u201d\tJameson\tdid\tnot\tsound\tsurprised. \u201cI\u2019m\tcovered\tin\tbubbles,\u201d\tSkye\treplied\tairily.\t\u201cIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tget\tany\tmore\tdecent than\tthat.\tNow,\ttell\tyour\tmother\twhat\tyou\tneed.\u201d Jameson\t glanced\t back\t at\t me,\t as\t if\t to\t say\t and\t you\t asked\t why\t I\t needed\t the bourbon. \u201cI\u2019ll\tstay\tout\there,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tturning\taround\tbefore\tI\tcaught\tsight\tof\tmore\tthan bubbles. \u201cOh,\tdon\u2019t\tbe\ta\tprude,\tAbigail,\u201d\tSkye\tadmonished\tfrom\tinside\tthe\tbathroom. \u201cWe\u2019re\tall\tfriends\there,\taren\u2019t\twe?\tI\tmake\tit\ta\tpolicy\tto\tbefriend\teveryone\twho steals\tmy\tbirthright.\u201d I\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tpassive\taggression\tquite\tlike\tthis. \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tdone\tmessing\twith\tAvery,\u201d\tJameson\tinterjected,\t\u201cI\u2019d\tlike\tto\thave\ta little\tchat.\u201d \u201cSo\tserious,\tJamie?\u201d\tSkye\tsighed\taudibly.\t\u201cWell,\tgo\ton,\tthen.\u201d","\u201cMy\tmiddle\tname.\tI\u2019ve\tasked\tyou\tbefore\tif\tI\twas\tnamed\tafter\tmy\tfather.\u201d Skye\twas\tquiet\tfor\ta\tmoment.\t\u201cHand\tme\tmy\tchampagne,\twould\tyou?\u201d I\t heard\t Jameson\t moving\t around\t in\t the\t bathroom\t behind\t me\u2014presumably, fetching\ther\tchampagne.\t\u201cWell?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cIf\tyou\u2019d\tbeen\ta\tgirl,\u201d\tSkye\tsaid,\twith\tthe\tair\tof\ta\tbard,\t\u201cI\twould\thave\tnamed you\tafter\tmyself.\tSkylar,\tperhaps.\tOr\tSkyla.\u201d\tShe\ttook\twhat\tI\tcould\tonly\tassume was\ta\tsip\tof\tchampagne.\t\u201cToby\twas\tnamed\tfor\tmy\tfather,\tyou\tknow.\u201d The\t mention\t of\t her\t long-gone\t brother\t caught\t my\t attention.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know how\tor\twhy,\tbut\tToby\u2019s\tdeath\thad\tsomehow\tstarted\tthis\tall. \u201cMy\tmiddle\tname,\u201d\tJameson\treminded\ther.\t\u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tget\tit?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\tbe\thappy\tto\tanswer\tyour\tquestion,\tdarling.\u201d\tSkye\tpaused.\t\u201cJust\tas\tsoon as\tyou\tgive\tme\ta\tmoment\talone\twith\tyour\tdelightful\tlittle\tfriend.\u201d","CHAPTER\t39 If\tI\u2019d\tknown\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tend\tup\tin\ta\tone-on-one\tconversation\twith\ta\tnaked, bubble-covered\t Skye\t Hawthorne,\t I\t probably\t would\t have\t had\t some\t bourbon myself. \u201cNegative\t emotions\t age\t you.\u201d\t Skye\t shifted\t her\t position\t in\t the\t tub,\t causing water\tto\tslosh\tagainst\tthe\tsides.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\tonly\tso\tmuch\tone\tcan\tdo\twith\tMercury in\tretrograde,\tbut\u2026\u201d\tShe\tlet\tout\ta\tlong,\ttheatrical\tbreath.\t\u201cI\tforgive\tyou,\tAvery Grambs.\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\task\tyou\tto,\u201d\tI\tresponded. She\t proceeded\t as\t if\t she\t had\t not\t heard\t me.\t \u201cYou\t will,\t of\t course,\t continue\t to provide\tme\ta\tmodest\tamount\tof\tfinancial\tsupport.\u201d I\twas\tstarting\tto\twonder\tif\tthis\twoman\twas\tlegitimately\tliving\ton\ta\tdifferent planet. \u201cWhy\twould\tI\tgive\tyou\tanything?\u201d I\texpected\ta\tsharp\tcomeback,\tbut\tall\tI\tgot\twas\tan\tindulgent\tlittle\thum,\tlike\tI was\tthe\tone\tbeing\tridiculous\there. \u201cIf\t you\u2019re\t not\t going\t to\t answer\t Jameson\u2019s\t question,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cthen\t I\u2019m leaving.\u201d She\t let\t me\t get\t halfway\t to\t the\t door.\t \u201cYou\u2019ll\t support\t me,\u201d\t she\t said\t lightly, \u201cbecause\t I\u2019m\t their\t mother.\t And\t I\t will\t answer\t your\t question\t as\t soon\t as\t you answer\tmine.\tWhat\tare\tyour\tintentions\ttoward\tmy\tson?\u201d \u201cExcuse\t me?\u201d\t I\t turned\t to\t face\t her\t before\t I\t remembered,\t a\t second\t too\t late, why\tI\u2019d\tbeen\ttrying\tnot\tto\tlook\tat\ther\tthe\tentire\ttime\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tin\tthe\troom. The\tbubbles\tobscured\twhat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tsee\u2014but\tjust\tbarely. \u201cYou\t waltzed\t into\t my\t suite\t with\t my\t shirtless,\t grieving\t son\t by\t your\t side.\t A mother\t has\t concerns,\t and\t Jameson\t is\t special.\t Brilliant,\t the\t way\t my\t father\t was. The\tway\tToby\twas.\u201d \u201cYour\t brother,\u201d\t I\t said,\t and\t suddenly,\t I\t had\t no\t interest\t in\t leaving\t this\t room. \u201cWhat\thappened\tto\thim?\u201d\tAlisa\thad\tgiven\tme\tthe\tgist\tbut\tvery\tfew\tdetails. \u201cMy\t father\t ruined\t Toby.\u201d\t Skye\t addressed\t her\t answer\t to\t the\t rim\t of\t her","champagne\tglass.\t\u201cSpoiled\thim.\tHe\twas\talways\tmeant\tto\tbe\tthe\their,\tyou\tknow. And\t once\t he\t was\t gone\u2026\t well,\t it\t was\t Zara\t and\t me.\u201d\t Her\t expression\t darkened, but\tthen\tshe\tsmiled.\t\u201cAnd\tthen\u2026\u201d \u201cYou\thad\tthe\tboys,\u201d\tI\tfilled\tin.\tI\twondered,\tthen,\tif\tshe\u2019d\thad\tthem\tbecause Toby\twas\tgone. \u201cDo\t you\t know\t why\t Jameson\t was\t Daddy\u2019s\t favorite\t when,\t by\t all\t rights,\t it should\thave\tbeen\tperfect,\tdutiful\tGrayson?\u201d\tSkye\tasked.\t\u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\tbecause\tmy Jamie\tis\tbrilliant\tor\tbeautiful\tor\tcharismatic.\tIt\twas\tbecause\tJameson\tWinchester Hawthorne\tis\thungry.\tHe\u2019s\tlooking\tfor\tsomething.\tHe\u2019s\tbeen\tlooking\tfor\tit\tsince the\t day\t he\t was\t born.\u201d\t She\t downed\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t champagne\t in\t one\t gulp. \u201cGrayson\tis\teverything\tToby\twasn\u2019t,\tand\tJameson\tis\tjust\tlike\thim.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\t no\t one\t like\t Jameson.\u201d\t In\t no\t way\t had\t I\t meant\t to\t utter\t those\t words out\tloud. \u201cYou\tsee?\u201d\tSkye\tgave\tme\ta\tknowing\tlook\u2014the\tsame\tone\tAlisa\thad\tgiven\tme my\t first\t day\t at\t Hawthorne\t House.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t already\t his.\u201d\t Skye\t closed\t her\t eyes and\tlay\tback\tin\tthe\ttub.\t\u201cWe\tused\tto\tlose\thim\twhen\the\twas\tlittle,\tyou\tknow.\tFor hours,\toccasionally\tfor\ta\tday.\tWe\u2019d\tlook\taway\tfor\ta\tsecond,\tand\the\u2019d\tdisappear into\t the\t walls.\t And\t every\t time\t we\t found\t him,\t I\u2019d\t pick\t him\t up\t and\t cuddle\t him tight\t and\t know,\t to\t the\t depths\t of\t my\t soul,\t that\t all\t he\t wanted\t was\t to\t get\t lost again.\u201d\tShe\topened\ther\teyes.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tall\tyou\tare.\u201d\tSkye\tstood\tup\tand\tgrabbed\ta robe.\t I\t averted\t my\t eyes\t as\t she\t put\t it\t on.\t \u201cJust\t another\t way\t to\t get\t lost.\t That\u2019s what\tshe\twas,\ttoo.\u201d She.\t\u201cEmily,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tout\tloud. \u201cShe\t was\t a\t beautiful\t girl,\u201d\t Skye\t mused,\t \u201cbut\t she\t could\t have\t been\t ugly,\t and they\twould\thave\tloved\ther\tjust\tthe\tsame.\tThere\twas\tjust\tsomething\tabout\ther.\u201d \u201cWhy\tare\tyou\ttelling\tme\tthis?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cYou,\u201d\t Skye\t Hawthorne\t stated\t emphatically,\t \u201care\t no\t Emily.\u201d\t She\t bent\t to pick\t up\t the\t champagne\t bottle\t and\t refilled\t her\t glass.\t She\t padded\t toward\t me, barefoot\tand\tdripping,\tand\theld\tit\tout.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tfound\tbubbles\tto\tbe\ta\tbit\tof\ta\tcure- all\tmyself.\u201d\tHer\tstare\twas\tintense.\t\u201cGo\ton.\tDrink.\u201d Was\tshe\tserious?\tI\ttook\ta\tstep\tback.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tchampagne.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\u201d\u2014Skye\ttook\ta\tlong\tdrink\u2014\u201cdidn\u2019t\tchoose\tmy\tsons\u2019\tmiddle\tnames.\u201d She\theld\tthe\tglass\tup,\tas\tif\tshe\twere\ttoasting\tme\u2014or\ttoasting\tto\tmy\tdemise. \u201cIf\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tchoose\tthem,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cthen\twho\tdid?\u201d Skye\tfinished\toff\tthe\tchampagne.\t\u201cMy\tfather.\u201d","CHAPTER\t40 I\ttold\tJameson\twhat\this\tmother\thad\ttold\tme. He\t stared\t at\t me.\t \u201cThe\t old\t man\t chose\t our\t names.\u201d\t I\t could\t see\t the\t gears\t in Jameson\u2019s\t head\t turning,\t and\t then\u2014nothing.\t \u201cHe\t picked\t our\t names,\u201d\t Jameson repeated,\t pacing\t the\t long\t hall\t like\t an\t animal\t caged.\t \u201cHe\t picked\t them,\t and\t then he\t highlighted\t them\t in\t the\t Red\t Will.\u201d\t Jameson\t stopped\t again.\t \u201cHe\t disinherited the\t family\t twenty\t years\t ago\t and\t chose\t our\t middle\t names\u2014all\t of\t them\t but Nash\u2019s\u2014shortly\t thereafter.\t Grayson\u2019s\t nineteen.\t I\u2019m\t eighteen.\t Xan\t will\t be seventeen\tnext\tmonth.\u201d I\tcould\tfeel\thim\ttrying\tto\tmake\tthis\tmake\tsense.\tTrying\tto\tsee\twhat\twe\twere missing. \u201cThe\t old\t man\t was\t playing\t a\t long\t game,\u201d\t Jameson\t said,\t every\t muscle\t in\t his body\ttightening.\t\u201cOur\twhole\tlives.\u201d \u201cThe\tnames\thave\tto\tmean\tsomething,\u201d\tI\tstated. \u201cHe\t might\t have\t known\t who\t our\t fathers\t were.\u201d\t Jameson\t considered\t that possibility.\t \u201cEven\t if\t Skye\t thought\t she\u2019d\t kept\t it\t a\t secret\u2014there\t were\t no\t secrets from\thim.\u201d\tI\theard\tan\tundertone\tin\tJameson\u2019s\tvoice\twhen\the\tsaid\tthose\twords\u2014 something\tdeep\tand\tcutting\tand\tawful. Which\tof\tyour\tsecrets\tdid\the\tknow? \u201cWe\t can\t do\t a\t search,\u201d\t I\t said,\t trying\t to\t focus\t on\t the\t riddle\t and\t not\t the\t boy. \u201cOr\t have\t Alisa\t hire\t a\t private\t investigator\t on\t my\t behalf\t to\t look\t for\t men\t with those\tlast\tnames.\u201d \u201cOr,\u201d\t Jameson\t countered,\t \u201cyou\t can\t give\t me\t about\t six\t hours\t to\t utterly\t sober up,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tshow\tyou\twhat\tI\tdo\twhen\tI\u2019m\tworking\ta\tpuzzle\tand\tI\thit\ta\twall.\u201d Seven\thours\tlater,\tJameson\tsnuck\tme\tout\tthrough\tthe\tfireplace\tpassageway\tand led\tme\tto\tthe\tfar\twing\tof\tthe\thouse\u2014past\tthe\tkitchen,\tpast\tthe\tGreat\tRoom,\tinto what\t turned\t out\t to\t be\t the\t largest\t garage\t I\u2019d\t ever\t seen.\t It\t was\t closer\t to\t a","showroom,\treally.\tThere\twere\ta\tdozen\tmotorcycles\tstacked\ton\ta\tmammoth\tshelf on\tthe\twall,\tand\ttwice\tthat\tmany\tcars\tparked\tin\ta\tsemicircle.\tJameson\tpaced\tby them,\t one\t by\t one.\t He\t stopped\t in\t front\t of\t a\t car\t that\t looked\t like\t something straight\tout\tof\tscience\tfiction. \u201cThe\t Aston\t Martin\t Valkyrie,\u201d\t Jameson\t said.\t \u201cA\t hybrid\t hypercar\t with\t a\t top speed\t of\t more\t than\t two\t hundred\t miles\t per\t hour.\u201d\t He\t gestured\t down\t the\t line. \u201cThose\t three\t are\t Bugattis.\t The\t Chiron\u2019s\t my\t favorite.\t Nearly\t fifteen\t hundred horsepower\tand\tnot\tbad\ton\tthe\ttrack.\u201d \u201cTrack,\u201d\tI\trepeated.\t\u201cAs\tin\tracetrack?\u201d \u201cThey\t were\t my\t grandfather\u2019s\t babies,\u201d\t Jameson\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t now\u2026\u201d\t A\t slow smile\tspread\tacross\this\tface.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tyours.\u201d That\tsmile\twas\tdevilish.\tIt\twas\tdangerous. \u201cNo\tway,\u201d\tI\ttold\tJameson.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\teven\tallowed\tto\tleave\tthe\testate\twithout Oren.\tAnd\tI\tcan\u2019t\tdrive\ta\tcar\tlike\tthese!\u201d \u201cLuckily,\u201d\tJameson\treplied,\tambling\ttoward\ta\tbox\ton\tthe\twall,\t\u201cI\tcan.\u201d\tThere was\t a\t puzzle\t built\t into\t the\t box,\t like\t a\t Rubik\u2019s\t Cube,\t but\t silver,\t with\t strange shapes\t carved\t onto\t the\t squares.\t Jameson\t immediately\t began\t spinning\t the\t tiles, twisting\tthem,\tarranging\tthem\tjust\tso.\tThe\tbox\tpopped\topen.\tHe\tran\this\tfingers over\t a\t plethora\t of\t keys,\t then\t selected\t one.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t nothing\t like\t speed\t for getting\t out\t of\t your\t own\t head\u2014and\t out\t of\t your\t own\t way.\u201d\t He\t started\t walking toward\tthe\tAston\tMartin.\t\u201cSome\tpuzzles\tmake\tmore\tsense\tat\ttwo\thundred\tmiles an\thour.\u201d \u201cIs\tthere\teven\troom\tfor\ttwo\tpeople\tin\tthat?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cWhy,\tHeiress,\u201d\tJameson\tmurmured,\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\u2019d\tnever\task.\u201d Jameson\tdrove\tthe\tcar\tonto\ta\tpad\tthat\tlowered\tus\tdown\tbelow\tthe\tground\tlevel of\tthe\tHouse.\tWe\tshot\tthrough\ta\ttunnel,\tand\tbefore\tI\tknew\tit,\twe\twere\tgoing\tout a\tback\texit\tthat\tI\thadn\u2019t\teven\tknown\texisted. Jameson\t didn\u2019t\t speed.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t take\t his\t eyes\t off\t the\t road.\t He\t just\t drove, silently.\t In\t the\t seat\t next\t to\t him,\t every\t nerve\t ending\t in\t my\t body\t was\t alive\t with anticipation. This\tis\ta\tvery\tbad\tidea. He\tmust\thave\tcalled\tahead,\tbecause\tthe\ttrack\twas\tready\tfor\tus\twhen\twe\tgot there. \u201cThe\t Martin\u2019s\t not\t technically\t a\t race\t car,\u201d\t Jameson\t told\t me.\t \u201cTechnically,\t it","wasn\u2019t\teven\tfor\tsale\twhen\tmy\tgrandfather\tbought\tit.\u201d And\ttechnically,\tI\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tleft\tthe\testate.\tWe\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\ttaken\tthe car.\tWe\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\there. But\tsomewhere\taround\ta\thundred\tand\tfifty\tmiles\tan\thour,\tI\tstopped\tthinking about\tshould. Adrenaline.\tEuphoria.\tFear.\tThere\twasn\u2019t\troom\tin\tmy\thead\tfor\tanything\telse. Speed\twas\tthe\tonly\tthing\tthat\tmattered. That,\tand\tthe\tboy\tbeside\tme. I\t didn\u2019t\t want\t him\t to\t slow\t down.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t want\t the\t car\t to\t stop.\t For\t the\t first time\t since\t the\t reading\t of\t the\t will,\t I\t felt\t free.\t No\t questions.\t No\t suspicions.\t No one\tstaring\tor\tnot\tstaring.\tNothing\texcept\tthis\tmoment,\tright\there,\tright\tnow. Nothing\texcept\tJameson\tWinchester\tHawthorne\tand\tme.","CHAPTER\t41 Eventually,\t the\t car\t slowed\t to\t a\t stop.\t Eventually,\t reality\t crashed\t down\t around us.\tOren\twas\tthere,\twith\ta\tteam\tin\ttow.\tUh-oh. \u201cYou\tand\tI,\u201d\tmy\thead\tof\tsecurity\ttold\tJameson\tthe\tsecond\twe\texited\tthe\tcar, \u201care\tgoing\tto\tbe\thaving\ta\tlittle\ttalk.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\ta\tbig\tgirl,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\teyeing\tthe\tbackup\tOren\thad\tbrought\twith\thim.\t\u201cIf\tyou want\tto\tyell\tat\tsomeone,\tyell\tat\tme.\u201d Oren\tdidn\u2019t\tyell.\tHe\tdid\tpersonally\tdeposit\tme\tback\tin\tmy\troom\tand\tindicate that\t we\t would\t \u201ctalk\u201d\t in\t the\t morning.\t Based\t on\t his\t tone,\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t sure that\tI\twould\tsurvive\ta\ttalk\twith\tOren\tunscathed. I\tbarely\tslept\tthat\tnight,\tmy\tbrain\ta\tmess\tof\telectrical\timpulses\tthat\twouldn\u2019t \u2014couldn\u2019t\u2014stop\t firing.\t I\t still\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t to\t make\t of\t the\t names highlighted\tin\tthe\tRed\tWill,\tif\tthey\treally\twere\ta\treference\tto\tthe\tboys\u2019\tfathers, or\tif\tTobias\tHawthorne\thad\tchosen\this\tgrandsons\u2019\tmiddle\tnames\tfor\ta\tdifferent reason\taltogether. All\tI\tknew\twas\tthat\tSkye\thad\tbeen\tright.\tJameson\twas\thungry.\tAnd\tso\tam\tI. But\tI\tcould\talso\thear\tSkye\ttelling\tme\tthat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmatter,\tthat\tI\twas\tno\tEmily. When\t I\t did\t fall\t asleep\t that\t night,\t I\t dreamed\t of\t a\t teenage\t girl.\t She\t was\t a shadow,\ta\tsilhouette,\ta\tghost,\ta\tqueen.\tAnd\tno\tmatter\thow\tfast\tI\tran,\tdown\tone corridor\tafter\tanother,\tI\tcould\tnever\tcatch\tup\tto\ther. My\t phone\t rang\t before\t dawn.\t Groggy\t and\t in\t a\t mood,\t I\t grabbed\t for\t it\t with every\t intention\t of\t launching\t it\t through\t the\t closest\t window,\t then\t realized\t who was\tcalling. \u201cMax,\tit\u2019s\tfive\tthirty\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d \u201cThree\t thirty\t my\t time.\t Where\t did\t you\t get\t that\t car?\u201d\t Max\t didn\u2019t\t sound\t even remotely\tsleepy. \u201cA\t room\t full\t of\t cars?\u201d\t I\t replied\t apologetically,\t and\t then\t sleep\t cleared\t from my\t brain\t enough\t for\t me\t to\t process\t the\t implications\t of\t her\t question.\t \u201cHow\t did you\tknow\tabout\tthe\tcar?\u201d \u201cAerial\t photo,\u201d\t Max\t replied.\t \u201cTaken\t from\t a\t helicopter,\t and\t what\t do\t you","mean\ta\troom\tfull\tof\tcars?\tExactly\thow\tbig\tis\tthis\troom?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d\tI\tgroaned\tand\trolled\tover\tin\tbed.\tOf\tcourse\tthe\tpaparazzi\thad caught\t me\t out\t with\t Jameson.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t even\t want\t to\t know\t what\t the\t gossip\t rags were\tsaying. \u201cEqually\t important,\u201d\t Max\t continued,\t \u201care\t you\t having\t a\t torrid\t affair\t with Jameson\tHawthorne\tand\tshould\tI\tplan\tfor\ta\tspring\twedding?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tI\tsat\tup\tin\tbed.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cBull\tfox-faxing\tship.\u201d \u201cI\thave\tto\tlive\twith\tthese\tpeople,\u201d\tI\ttold\tMax.\t\u201cFor\ta\tyear.\tThey\talready\thave enough\treasons\tto\thate\tme.\u201d\tI\twasn\u2019t\tthinking\tabout\tSkye\tor\tZara\tor\tXander\tor Nash\twhen\tI\tsaid\tthat.\tI\twas\tthinking\tabout\tGrayson.\tSilver-eyed,\tsuit-wearing, threat-issuing\tGrayson.\t\u201cGetting\tinvolved\twith\tJameson\twould\tjust\tbe\tthrowing gasoline\ton\tthe\tfire.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\ta\tlovely\tfire\tit\twould\tbe,\u201d\tMax\tmurmured. She\t was,\t without\t question,\t a\t bad\t influence.\t \u201cI\t can\u2019t,\u201d\t I\t reiterated.\t \u201cAnd besides\u2026\t there\t was\t a\t girl.\u201d\t I\t thought\t back\t to\t my\t dream\t and\t wondered\t if Jameson\t had\t taken\t Emily\t driving,\t if\t she\t had\t ever\t played\t one\t of\t Tobias Hawthorne\u2019s\tgames.\t\u201cShe\tdied.\u201d \u201cBack\tthe\tfax\tup\tthere.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean,\tshe\tdied?\tHow?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d \u201cHow\tcan\tyou\tnot\tknow?\u201d I\tpulled\tmy\tcomforter\ttight\taround\tme.\t\u201cHer\tname\twas\tEmily.\tDo\tyou\tknow how\tmany\tpeople\tnamed\tEmily\tthere\tare\tin\tthe\tworld?\u201d \u201cIs\the\tstill\thung\tup\ton\ther?\u201d\tMax\tasked.\tShe\twas\ttalking\tabout\tJameson,\tbut my\t brain\t went\t back\t to\t that\t moment\t when\t I\u2019d\t said\t Emily\u2019s\t name\t to\t Grayson.\t It had\tgutted\thim.\tDestroyed\thim. There\twas\ta\trap\tat\tmy\tdoor.\t\u201cMax,\tI\thave\tto\tgo.\u201d Oren\t spent\t more\t than\t an\t hour\t going\t over\t security\t protocols\t with\t me.\t He indicated\tthat\the\twould\tbe\thappy\tto\tdo\tthe\tsame\tthing,\tevery\tmorning\tat\tdawn, until\tit\tstuck. \u201cPoint\ttaken,\u201d\tI\ttold\thim.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tgood.\u201d \u201cNo\tyou\twon\u2019t.\u201d\tHe\tgave\tme\ta\tlook.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tbetter.\u201d","My\tsecond\tday\u2014and\tthe\tstart\tof\tmy\tfirst\tfull\tweek\u2014at\tprivate\tschool\tshaped\tup much\t like\t the\t week\t before.\t People\t did\t their\t best\t not\t to\t stare\t at\t me.\t Jameson avoided\tme.\tI\tavoided\tThea.\tI\twondered\twhat\tgossip\tJameson\tthought\twe\twould provoke\t if\t we\t were\t seen\t together,\t wondered\t if\t there\t had\t been\t whispers\t when Emily\tdied. I\twondered\thow\tshe\u2019d\tdied. You\u2019re\t not\t a\t player.\t Nash\u2019s\t words\t of\t caution\t came\t back\t to\t me,\t again\t and again,\t every\t time\t I\t caught\t sight\t of\t Jameson\t in\t the\t halls.\t You\u2019re\t the\t glass ballerina\u2014or\tthe\tknife. \u201cI\theard\tthat\tyou\thave\ta\tneed\tfor\tspeed.\u201d\tXander\tpounced\ton\tme\toutside\tthe physics\tlab.\tHe\twas\tclearly\tin\thigh\tspirits.\t\u201cGod\tbless\tthe\tpaparazzi,\tam\tI\tright? I\talso\theard\tthat\tyou\thad\ta\tvery\tspecial\tchat\twith\tmy\tmother.\u201d I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tif\the\twas\tpumping\tme\tfor\tinformation\tor\tcommiserating.\t\u201cYour mother\tis\tsomething\telse,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cSkye\tis\ta\tcomplicated\twoman.\u201d\tXander\tnodded\tsagely.\t\u201cBut\tshe\ttaught\tme how\tto\tread\ttarot\tand\tmoisturize\tmy\tcuticles,\tso\twho\tam\tI\tto\tcomplain?\u201d Skye\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t one\t who\u2019d\t forged\t them,\t pushed\t them,\t set\t them\t to challenges,\t expected\t the\t impossible.\t She\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t one\t who\u2019d\t made\t them magic. \u201cYour\tbrothers\tall\tgot\tthe\tsame\tletter\tfrom\tyour\tgrandfather,\u201d\tI\ttold\tXander, examining\this\treaction. \u201cDid\tthey\tnow?\u201d I\tnarrowed\tmy\teyes\tslightly.\t\u201cI\tknow\tthat\tyou\tgot\tit,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cMaybe\tI\tdid,\u201d\tXander\tadmitted\tcheerily.\t\u201cBut\thypothetically,\tif\tI\thad,\tand\tif I\t hypothetically\t were\t playing\t this\t game\t and\t wanted,\t just\t this\t once\u2014and\t just hypothetically\u2014to\twin\u2026\u201d\tHe\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\u2019d\twant\tto\tdo\tit\tmy\tway.\u201d \u201cDoes\tyour\tway\tinvolve\trobots\tand\tscones?\u201d \u201cWhat\t doesn\u2019t?\u201d\t Grinning,\t Xander\t nudged\t me\t into\t the\t lab.\t Like\t everything at\t Country\t Day,\t it\t looked\t like\t a\t million\t dollars\u2014figuratively.\t Probably\t more than\t a\t million\t dollars,\t literally.\t Curved\t lab\t tables\t circled\t the\t room.\t Floor-to- ceiling\twindows\thad\treplaced\tthree\tof\tthe\tfour\twalls.\tThere\twas\tcolored\twriting on\t the\t windows\u2014calculations\t in\t different\t handwritings,\t like\t scratch\t paper\t was just\t so\t pass\u00e9.\t Each\t lab\t table\t came\t complete\t with\t a\t large\t monitor\t and\t a\t digital whiteboard.\tAnd\tthat\twasn\u2019t\teven\ttouching\ton\tthe\tsize\tof\tthe\tmicroscopes. I\tfelt\tlike\tI\u2019d\tjust\twalked\tinto\tNASA. There\t were\t only\t two\t free\t seats.\t One\t was\t next\t to\t Thea.\t The\t other\t was\t as\t far away\t from\t Thea\t as\t you\t could\t get,\t next\t to\t the\t girl\t I\u2019d\t seen\t in\t the\t archive.\t Her","dark\t red\t hair\t was\t pulled\t into\t a\t loose\t ponytail\t at\t the\t nape\t of\t her\t neck.\t Her coloring\twas\tstop-and-stare\tstriking\u2014hair\tthat\tred,\tskin\tthat\tpale\u2014but\ther\teyes were\tdowncast. Thea\t met\t my\t gaze\t and\t gestured\t imperiously\t toward\t the\t seat\t next\t to\t her.\t I glanced\tback\ttoward\tthe\tred-haired\tgirl. \u201cWhat\u2019s\ther\tstory?\u201d\tI\tasked\tXander.\tNo\tone\twas\ttalking\tto\ther.\tNo\tone\twas looking\t at\t her.\t She\t was\t one\t of\t the\t most\t beautiful\t people\t I\u2019d\t ever\t seen,\t and\t she might\tas\twell\thave\tbeen\tinvisible. Wallpaper. \u201cHer\t story\u201d\u2014Xander\t sighed\u2014\u201cinvolves\t star-crossed\t love,\t fake\t dating, heartbreak,\t tragedy,\t twisted\t familial\t relationships,\t penance,\t and\t a\t hero\t for\t the ages.\u201d I\tgave\thim\ta\tlook.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tserious?\u201d \u201cYou\t should\t know\t by\t now,\u201d\t Xander\t replied\t lightly,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t the\t serious Hawthorne.\u201d He\t plopped\t down\t in\t the\t seat\t next\t to\t Thea,\t leaving\t me\t to\t make\t my\t way toward\tthe\tred-haired\tgirl.\tShe\tproved\tto\tbe\ta\tdecent\tlab\tpartner:\tquiet,\tfocused, and\table\tto\tcalculate\talmost\tanything\tin\ther\thead.\tThe\tentire\ttime\twe\tworked\tin tandem,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\ta\tsingle\tword\tto\tme. \u201cI\u2019m\t Avery,\u201d\t I\t said,\t once\t we\u2019d\t finished\t and\t it\t became\t clear\t that\t she\t still wasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tintroduce\therself. \u201cRebecca.\u201d\t Her\t voice\t was\t soft.\t \u201cLaughlin.\u201d\t She\t saw\t the\t shift\t in\t my expression\twhen\tshe\tsaid\ther\tlast\tname\tand\tconfirmed\twhat\tI\twas\tthinking.\t\u201cMy grandparents\twork\tat\tHawthorne\tHouse.\u201d Her\tgrandparents\tran\tHawthorne\tHouse,\tand\tneither\tone\tof\tthem\thad\tseemed overly\t enthused\t about\t the\t prospect\t of\t working\t for\t me.\t I\t wondered\t if\t that\t was why\tI\u2019d\tgotten\tthe\tsilent\ttreatment\tfrom\tRebecca. She\u2019s\tnot\ttalking\tto\tanyone\telse,\teither. \u201cHas\t someone\t shown\t you\t how\t to\t turn\t in\t assignments\t on\t your\t tablet?\u201d Rebecca\tasked\tbeside\tme.\tThe\tquestion\twas\ttentative,\tlike\tshe\tfully\texpected\tto be\t slapped\t down.\t I\t tried\t to\t wrap\t my\t mind\t around\t the\t fact\t that\t someone\t that beautiful\tcould\tbe\ttentative\tabout\tanything. Everything. \u201cNo,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cCould\tyou?\u201d Rebecca\t demonstrated,\t uploading\t her\t results\t with\t a\t few\t clicks\t on\t the\t touch screen.\tA\tmoment\tlater,\ther\ttablet\treturned\tto\tits\tmain\tscreen.\tShe\thad\ta\tphoto\tas her\twallpaper.\tIn\tit,\tRebecca\tlooked\toff\tto\tthe\tside,\twhile\tanother,\tamber-haired","girl\tlaughed\tdirectly\tinto\tthe\tcamera.\tThey\tboth\thad\twreaths\tof\tflowers\ton\ttheir heads,\tand\tthey\thad\tthe\tsame\teyes. The\tother\tgirl\twasn\u2019t\tany\tmore\tbeautiful\tthan\tRebecca\u2014and\tprobably\tless\u2014 but\tsomehow,\tit\twas\timpossible\tto\tlook\taway\tfrom\ther. \u201cIs\tthat\tyour\tsister?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cWas.\u201d\tRebecca\tclosed\tthe\tcover\ton\ther\ttablet.\t\u201cShe\tdied.\u201d My\t ears\t roared,\t and\t I\t knew,\t then,\t exactly\t who\t I\t was\t looking\t at.\t I\t felt,\t on some\tlevel,\tlike\tI\u2019d\tknown\tit\tfrom\tthe\tmoment\tI\u2019d\tseen\ther.\t\u201cEmily?\u201d Rebecca\u2019s\t emerald\t eyes\t caught\t on\t mine.\t I\t panicked,\t thinking\t that\t I\t should have\tsaid\tsomething\telse.\tI\u2019m\tsorry\tfor\tyour\tloss\u2014or\tsomething. But\tRebecca\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tfind\tmy\tresponse\todd\tor\toff-putting.\tAll\tshe\tsaid, pulling\ther\ttablet\tinto\ther\tlap,\twas\t\u201cShe\twould\thave\tbeen\tvery\tinterested\tto\tmeet you.\u201d","CHAPTER\t42 I\t couldn\u2019t\t get\t Emily\u2019s\t face\t out\t of\t my\t mind,\t but\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t looked\t at\t the\t picture closely\t enough\t to\t recall\t every\t detail\t of\t her\t features.\t Her\t eyes\t had\t been\t green. Her\t hair\t was\t strawberry\t blonde,\t like\t sunlight\t through\t amber.\t I\t remembered\t the wreath\t of\t flowers\t on\t her\t head\t but\t not\t her\t hair\u2019s\t length.\t No\t matter\t how\t hard\t I tried\t to\t visualize\t her\t face,\t the\t only\t other\t things\t I\t could\t remember\t were\t that she\u2019d\tbeen\tlaughing\tand\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tlooked\tright\tat\tthe\tcamera,\thead-on. \u201cAvery.\u201d\tOren\tspoke\tfrom\tthe\tfront\tseat.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\there.\u201d Here\twas\tthe\tHawthorne\tFoundation.\tIt\tfelt\tlike\tit\thad\tbeen\tan\teternity\tsince Zara\t had\t offered\t to\t show\t me\t the\t ropes.\t As\t Oren\t exited\t the\t car\t and\t opened\t my door,\tI\tregistered\tthe\tfact\tthat,\tfor\tonce,\tthere\twasn\u2019t\ta\treporter\tor\tphotographer in\tsight. Maybe\t it\u2019s\t dying\t down,\t I\t thought\t as\t I\t stepped\t into\t the\t lobby\t of\t the Hawthorne\t Foundation.\t The\t walls\t were\t a\t light\t silvery-gray,\t and\t dozens\t of massive\t black-and-white\t photographs\t hung\t on\t them,\t seemingly\t suspended midair.\tHundreds\tof\tsmaller\tprints\tsurrounded\tthe\tlarger\tones.\tPeople.\tFrom\tall over\t the\t world,\t captured\t in\t motion\t and\t moments,\t from\t all\t angles,\t all perspectives,\t diverse\t along\t every\t dimension\t imaginable\u2014age\t and\t gender\t and race\t and\t culture.\t People.\t Laughing,\t crying,\t praying,\t playing,\t eating,\t dancing, sleeping,\tsweeping,\tembracing\u2014everything. I\tthought\tabout\tDr.\tMac\tasking\tme\twhy\tI\twanted\tto\ttravel.\tThis.\tThis\tis\twhy. \u201cMs.\tGrambs.\u201d I\tlooked\tup\tto\tsee\tGrayson.\tI\twondered\thow\tlong\the\u2019d\twatched\tme\ttaking\tin this\troom.\tI\twondered\twhat\the\u2019d\tseen\ton\tmy\tface. \u201cI\u2019m\tsupposed\tto\tmeet\tZara,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tfending\toff\this\tinevitable\tattack. \u201cZara\t isn\u2019t\t coming.\u201d\t Grayson\t walked\t slowly\t toward\t me.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t convinced that\tyou\tare\tin\tneed\tof\u2026\tguidance.\u201d\tThere\twas\tsomething\tabout\tthe\tway\the\tsaid that\t word\t that\t slid\t past\t every\t defense\t mechanism\t I\t had\t and\t straight\t under\t my skin.\t \u201cFor\t some\t reason,\t my\t aunt\t seems\t to\t believe\t that\t guidance\t would\t be\t best received\tcoming\tfrom\tme.\u201d","He\t looked\t exactly\t as\t he\t had\t the\t day\t I\u2019d\t met\t him,\t down\t to\t the\t color\t of\t his Armani\t suit.\t It\t was\t the\t same\t light,\t liquid\t gray\t as\t his\t eyes\u2014the\t same\t color\t as this\t room.\t Suddenly,\t I\t remembered\t the\t coffee\t table\t book\t I\u2019d\t seen\t in\t Tobias Hawthorne\u2019s\tstudy\u2014a\tbook\tof\tphotographs,\twith\tGrayson\u2019s\tname\ton\tthe\tside. \u201cYou\t took\t these?\u201d\t I\t breathed,\t staring\t at\t the\t photos\t all\t around\t me.\t It\t was\t a guess\u2014but\tI\u2019d\talways\tbeen\ta\tgood\tguesser. \u201cMy\t grandfather\t believed\t that\t you\t have\t to\t see\t the\t world\t to\t change\t it.\u201d Grayson\t looked\t at\t me,\t then\t caught\t himself\t staring.\t \u201cHe\t always\t said\t that\t I\t was the\tone\twith\tthe\teye.\u201d Invest.\tCreate.\tCultivate.\tNash\u2019s\texplanation\tof\ttheir\tchildhood\tcame\tback\tto me,\t and\t I\t wondered\t how\t old\t Grayson\t was\t the\t first\t time\t he\t held\t a\t camera,\t how old\the\twas\twhen\the\tstarted\ttraveling\tthe\tworld,\tseeing\tit,\tcapturing\tit\ton\tfilm. I\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tpegged\thim\tas\tthe\tartist. Irritated\t that\t I\u2019d\t been\t tricked\t into\t thinking\t about\t him\t at\t all,\t I\t narrowed\t my eyes.\t \u201cYour\t aunt\t must\t not\t have\t noticed\t your\t tendency\t to\t make\t threats.\t I\u2019m betting\t she\t also\t didn\u2019t\t know\t about\t the\t background\t check\t on\t my\t dead\t mother. Otherwise,\tthere\tis\tno\tway\tshe\tcould\thave\tcome\tto\tthe\tconclusion\tthat\tI\u2019d\tprefer working\twith\tyou.\u201d Grayson\u2019s\t lips\t twitched.\t \u201cZara\t doesn\u2019t\t miss\t much.\t And\t as\t for\t the background\t checks\u2026\u201d\t He\t disappeared\t behind\t the\t front\t desk\t and\t reappeared holding\ttwo\tfolders.\tI\tglared\tat\thim,\tand\the\tarched\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cWould\tyou\tprefer\tI kept\tthe\tresults\tof\tmy\tsearches\tfrom\tyou?\u201d He\theld\tout\tone\tfolder,\tand\tI\ttook\tit.\tHe\u2019d\thad\tno\tright\tto\tdo\tthis\u2014to\tpry\tinto my\tlife\tor\tmy\tmom\u2019s.\tBut\tas\tI\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tfolder\tin\tmy\thand,\tI\theard\tmy mother\u2019s\tvoice,\tclear\tas\ta\tbell,\tin\tmy\thead.\tI\thave\ta\tsecret.\u2026 I\tflipped\topen\tthe\tfolder.\tEmployment\trecords,\tdeath\tcertificate,\tcredit\treport, no\tcriminal\tbackground,\ta\tphotograph\u2026 I\t pressed\t my\t lips\t together,\t trying\t desperately\t to\t stop\t looking\t at\t it.\t She\t was young\tin\tthe\tpicture,\tand\tshe\twas\tholding\tme. I\t forced\t my\t eyes\t to\t Grayson\u2019s,\t ready\t to\t unleash\t on\t him,\t but\t he\t calmly handed\t me\t the\t second\t folder.\t I\t wondered\t what\t he\u2019d\t found\t out\t about\t me\u2014if there\twas\tanything\tin\tthis\tfolder\tthat\tcould\tpossibly\texplain\twhat\this\tgrandfather had\tseen\tin\tme.\tI\topened\tit. Inside,\tthere\twas\ta\tsingle\tsheet\tof\tpaper,\tand\tit\twas\tblank. \u201cThat\u2019s\t a\t list\t of\t every\t purchase\t you\u2019ve\t made\t since\t inheriting.\t Things\t have been\t purchased\t for\t you\t but\u2026\u201d\t Grayson\t dipped\t his\t eyes\t toward\t the\t page. \u201cNothing.\u201d","\u201cIs\t that\t what\t passes\t for\t an\t apology\t where\t you\u2019re\t from?\u201d\t I\t asked\t him.\t I\u2019d surprised\thim.\tI\twasn\u2019t\tacting\tlike\ta\tgold\tdigger. \u201cI\twon\u2019t\tapologize\tfor\tbeing\tprotective.\tThis\tfamily\thas\tsuffered\tenough,\tMs. Grambs.\t If\t I\t were\t choosing\t between\t you\t and\t any\t one\t of\t them,\t I\t would\t choose them,\t always\t and\t every\t time.\t However\u2026\u201d\t His\t eyes\t made\t their\t way\t back\t to mine.\t\u201cI\tmay\thave\tmisjudged\tyou.\u201d There\twas\tsomething\tintense\tin\tthose\twords,\tin\tthe\texpression\ton\this\tface\u2014 like\tthe\tboy\twho\u2019d\tlearned\tto\tsee\tthe\tworld\tsaw\tme. \u201cYou\u2019re\t wrong.\u201d\t I\t flipped\t the\t folder\t closed,\t turning\t away\t from\t him.\t \u201cI\t did try\tto\tspend\tsome\tmoney.\tA\tbig\tchunk.\tI\tasked\tAlisa\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tget\tit\tto\ta friend\tof\tmine.\u201d \u201cWhat\t kind\t of\t friend?\u201d\t Grayson\t asked.\t His\t expression\t shifted.\t \u201cA boyfriend?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\tI\tanswered.\tWhat\tdid\the\tcare\tif\tI\thad\ta\tboyfriend?\t\u201cA\tguy\tI\tplay\tchess with\tin\tthe\tpark.\tHe\tlives\tthere.\tIn\tthe\tpark.\u201d \u201cHomeless?\u201d\t Grayson\t was\t looking\t at\t me\t differently\t now,\t like\t in\t all\t his travels,\the\u2019d\tnever\tencountered\tanything\tquite\tlike\tthis.\tLike\tme.\tAfter\ta\tsecond or\t two,\t he\t snapped\t out\t of\t it.\t \u201cMy\t aunt\t is\t right.\t You\u2019re\t in\t desperate\t need\t of\t an education.\u201d He\tstarted\twalking,\tand\tI\thad\tno\tchoice\texcept\tto\tfollow,\tbut\tI\trefused\tto\tstay in\this\twake,\tlike\ta\tduckling\ttoddling\tafter\tits\tmother.\tHe\tstopped\tat\ta\tconference room\t and\t held\t the\t door\t open\t for\t me.\t I\t brushed\t past\t him,\t and\t even\t that\t split second\tof\tcontact\tmade\tme\tfeel\tlike\tI\twas\tgoing\ttwo\thundred\tmiles\tan\thour. Absolutely\t not.\t That\t was\t what\t I\t would\t have\t told\t Max\t if\t she\t were\t on\t the phone.\tWhat\twas\twrong\twith\tme?\tGrayson\thad\tspent\tmost\tof\tour\tacquaintance threatening\tme.\tHating\tme. He\tlet\tthe\tconference\troom\tdoor\tclose\tbehind\thim,\tthen\tcontinued\twalking\tto the\t back\t wall.\t It\t was\t lined\t with\t maps:\t first\t a\t world\t map,\t then\t each\t continent, then\tbroken\tdown\tby\tcountries,\tall\tthe\tway\tdown\tto\tstates\tand\ttowns. \u201cLook\t at\t them,\u201d\t he\t instructed,\t nodding\t toward\t the\t maps,\t \u201cbecause\t that\t is what\u2019s\t at\t stake\t here.\t Everything.\t Not\t a\t single\t person.\t Giving\t money\t to individuals\tdoes\tlittle.\u201d \u201cIt\tdoes\ta\tlot,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cfor\tthose\tpeople.\u201d \u201cWith\t the\t resources\t you\t have\t now,\t you\t can\t no\t longer\t afford\t to\t concern yourself\t with\t the\t individual.\u201d\t Grayson\t spoke\t like\t this\t was\t a\t lesson\t he\u2019d\t had beaten\tinto\thim.\tBy\twhom?\tHis\tgrandfather?\t\u201cYou,\tMs.\tGrambs,\u201d\the\tcontinued, \u201care\tresponsible\tfor\tthe\tworld.\u201d","I\tfelt\tthose\twords\tlike\ta\tlit\tmatch,\ta\tspark,\ta\tflame. Grayson\tturned\tto\tthe\twall\tof\tmaps.\t\u201cI\tdeferred\tcollege\tfor\ta\tyear\tto\tlearn\tthe ropes\t at\t the\t foundation.\t My\t grandfather\t assigned\t me\t to\t make\t a\t study\t of\t modes of\t charitable\t giving,\t with\t an\t eye\t to\t improving\t ours.\t I\t was\t to\t make\t my\t pitch\t in the\t coming\t months.\u201d\t Grayson\t stared\t hard\t at\t the\t map\t that\t hung\t even\t with\t his eyes.\t\u201cNow\tI\tsuppose\tthat\tI\twill\tbe\tmaking\tmy\tpitch\tto\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tseemed\tto\tbe measuring\t the\t pace\t of\t his\t words.\t \u201cThe\t foundation\t conservatorship\t has\t its\t own paperwork.\tWhen\tyou\tturn\ttwenty-one,\tit\u2019s\tyours,\tjust\tlike\teverything\telse.\u201d That\t hurt\t him,\t more\t than\t any\t of\t the\t terms\t of\t the\t will.\t I\t thought\t about\t Skye referring\tto\thim\tas\tthe\their\tapparent,\teven\tthough\tshe\tinsisted\tthat\tJameson\thad been\tTobias\tHawthorne\u2019s\tfavorite.\tGrayson\thad\tspent\this\tgap\tyear\tdedicated\tto the\tfoundation.\tHis\tphotographs\thung\tin\tthe\tlobby. But\this\tgrandfather\tchose\tme.\t\u201cI\u2019m\u2014\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tsay\tthat\tyou\tare\tsorry.\u201d\tGrayson\tstared\tat\tthe\twall\ta\tmoment\tlonger, then\tturned\tto\tface\tme.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tsorry,\tMs.\tGrambs.\tBe\tworthy\tof\tit.\u201d He\tmight\tas\twell\thave\tordered\tme\tto\tbe\tfire\tor\tearth\tor\tair.\tA\tperson\tcouldn\u2019t be\tworthy\tof\tbillions.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tpossible\u2014not\tfor\tanyone,\tand\tdefinitely\tnot\tfor me. \u201cHow?\u201d\tI\tasked\thim.\tHow\tam\tI\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tworthy\tof\tanything? He\ttook\this\ttime\treplying,\tand\tI\tfound\tmyself\twishing\tthat\tI\twere\tthe\tkind\tof girl\twho\tcould\tfill\tsilences.\tThe\tkind\twho\tlaughed\twith\tabandon,\tflowers\tin\ther hair. \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t teach\t you\t how\t to\t be\t anything,\t Ms.\t Grambs.\t But\t if\t you\u2019re\t willing,\t I can\tteach\tyou\ta\tway\tof\tthinking.\u201d I\tpushed\tback\tthe\tmemory\tof\tEmily\u2019s\tface.\t\u201cI\u2019m\there,\taren\u2019t\tI?\u201d Grayson\tbegan\tto\twalk\tdown\tthe\tlength\tof\tthe\troom,\tpassing\tmap\tafter\tmap. \u201cIt\tmight\tfeel\tbetter\tto\tgive\tto\tsomeone\tyou\tknow\tthan\ta\tstranger,\tor\tto\tdonate\tto an\t organization\t whose\t story\t brings\t a\t tear\t to\t your\t eye,\t but\t that\u2019s\t your\t brain playing\ttricks\ton\tyou.\tThe\tmorality\tof\tan\taction\tdepends,\tultimately\tand\tonly,\ton its\toutcomes.\u201d There\t was\t an\t intensity\t in\t the\t way\t he\t spoke,\t the\t way\t he\t moved.\t I\t couldn\u2019t have\tlooked\taway\tor\tstopped\tlistening,\teven\tif\tI\u2019d\ttried. \u201cWe\t shouldn\u2019t\t give\t because\t we\t feel\t one\t way\t or\t another,\u201d\t Grayson\t told\t me. \u201cWe\tshould\tdirect\tour\tresources\tto\twherever\tobjective\tanalysis\tsays\twe\tcan\thave the\tlargest\timpact.\u201d He\t probably\t thought\t he\t was\t talking\t over\t my\t head,\t but\t the\t moment\t he\t said objective\tanalysis,\tI\tsmiled.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\ttalking\tto\ta\tfuture\tactuarial\tscience\tmajor,","Hawthorne.\tShow\tme\tyour\tgraphs.\u201d By\t the\t time\t Grayson\t finished,\t my\t head\t was\t spinning\t with\t numbers\t and projections.\t I\t could\t see\t exactly\t how\t his\t mind\t worked\u2014and\t it\t was\t disturbingly like\tmy\town. \u201cI\tget\twhy\ta\tscattershot\tapproach\twon\u2019t\twork,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cBig\tproblems\trequire big\tthinking\tand\tbig\tinterventions\u2014\u201d \u201cComprehensive\tinterventions,\u201d\tGrayson\tcorrected.\t\u201cStrategic.\u201d \u201cBut\twe\talso\thave\tto\tspread\tour\trisk.\u201d \u201cWith\tempirically\tdriven\tcost-benefits\tanalyses.\u201d Everyone\thad\tthings\tthey\tfound\tinexplicably\tattractive.\tApparently,\tfor\tme\tit was\t suit-wearing,\t silver-eyed\t guys\t using\t the\t word\t empirically\t and\t taking\t for granted\tthat\tI\tknew\twhat\tit\tmeant. Get\tyour\tmind\tout\tof\tthe\tgutter,\tAvery.\tGrayson\tHawthorne\tis\tnot\tfor\tyou. His\tphone\trang,\tand\the\tglanced\tdown\tat\tthe\tscreen.\t\u201cNash,\u201d\the\tinformed\tme. \u201cGo\t ahead,\u201d\t I\t told\t him.\t \u201cTake\t it.\u201d\t At\t this\t point,\t I\t needed\t a\t breather\u2014from him,\tbut\talso\tfrom\tthis.\tMath,\tI\tunderstood.\tProjections,\tI\tcould\twrap\tmy\tmind around.\tBut\tthis? This\twas\treal.\tThis\twas\tpower.\tOne\thundred\tmillion\tdollars\ta\tyear. Grayson\t answered\t his\t phone\t and\t left\t the\t room.\t I\t walked\t the\t perimeter, looking\tat\tthe\tmaps\ton\tthe\twalls,\tmemorizing\tthe\tnames\tof\tevery\tcountry,\tevery city,\tevery\ttown.\tI\tcould\thelp\tall\tof\tthem\u2014or\tnone.\tThere\twere\tpeople\tout\tthere who\tmight\tlive\tor\tdie\tbecause\tof\tme,\tfutures\tgood\tor\tbad\tthat\tmight\tbe\trealized because\tof\tmy\tchoices. What\tright\tdid\tI\teven\thave\tto\tbe\tthe\tone\tmaking\tthem? Overwhelmed,\t I\t came\t to\t a\t stop\t in\t front\t of\t the\t very\t last\t map\t on\t the\t wall. Unlike\tthe\tothers,\tthis\tone\thad\tbeen\thand-drawn.\tIt\ttook\tme\ta\tmoment\tto\trealize that\tthe\tmap\twas\tof\tHawthorne\tHouse\tand\tthe\tsurrounding\testate.\tMy\teyes\twent first\t to\t Wayback\t Cottage,\t a\t small\t building\t tucked\t in\t the\t back\t corner\t of\t the estate.\t I\t remembered,\t from\t the\t reading\t of\t the\t will,\t that\t Tobias\t Hawthorne\t had given\tlifetime\toccupancy\tof\tthis\tbuilding\tto\tthe\tLaughlins. Rebecca\u2019s\tgrandparents,\tI\tthought.\tEmily\u2019s.\tI\twondered\tif\tthe\tgirls\thad\tcome to\tvisit\tthem\twhen\tthey\twere\tsmall,\thow\tmuch\ttime\tthey\u2019d\tspent\ton\tthe\testate\u2014 at\t Hawthorne\t House.\t How\t old\t was\t Emily\t the\t first\t time\t Jameson\t and\t Grayson laid\ttheir\teyes\ton\ther?","How\tlong\tago\tdid\tshe\tdie? The\tdoor\tto\tthe\tconference\troom\topened\tbehind\tme.\tI\twas\tglad\tthat\tGrayson couldn\u2019t\tsee\tmy\tface.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\thim\tto\tknow\tthat\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tthinking\tabout\ther. I\t made\t a\t show\t of\t studying\t the\t map\t in\t front\t of\t me,\t the\t geography\t of\t the\t estate, from\t the\t northern\t forest\t called\t the\t Black\t Wood\t to\t a\t small\t creek\t that\t ran\t along the\twestern\tedge\tof\tthe\testate. The\t Black\t Wood.\t I\t read\t the\t label\t again,\t the\t rush\t of\t blood\t through\t my\t veins was\t suddenly\t deafening.\t Blackwood.\t And\t there,\t in\t smaller\t letters,\t the\t winding body\tof\twater\twas\tlabeled,\ttoo.\tNot\ta\tcreek.\tThe\tBrook. A\tbrook,\ton\tthe\twest\tside\tof\tthe\tproperty.\tWestbrook. Blackwood.\tWestbrook. \u201cAvery.\u201d\tGrayson\tspoke\tbehind\tme. \u201cWhat?\u201d\t I\t said,\t unable\t to\t fully\t tear\t my\t mind\t from\t the\t map\u2014and\t the implications. \u201cThat\twas\tNash.\u201d \u201cI\t know,\u201d\t I\t said.\t He\u2019d\t told\t me\t who\t was\t on\t the\t other\t end\t of\t the\t line\t before he\u2019d\tanswered. Grayson\t laid\t a\t hand\t gently\t on\t my\t shoulder.\t Alarm\t bells\t rang\t in\t the\t back\t of my\thead.\tWhy\twas\the\tbeing\tso\tgentle?\t\u201cWhat\tdid\tNash\twant?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tabout\tyour\tsister.\u201d"]
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