Chapter 2 2

The morning air on Madison Avenue was crisp, biting through the thin silk of Claire's dress. She pulled the trench coat tighter, clutching the black titanium card in her pocket like a weapon.

She stepped out of the yellow taxi, ignoring the driver's confused look at her attire. It was barely 9:00 AM. The city was waking up, but the money never slept.

She stood in front of Harry Winston. The security guard inside was just unlocking the heavy glass doors. He paused, looking her up and down through the glass.

Messy hair. Bedroom slippers. A coat over what was clearly lingerie.

He frowned and shook his head, making a shooing motion. Not open. Go away.

Claire didn't knock. She pulled the Centurion card from her pocket and pressed it flat against the glass.

The metal clicked against the pane.

The guard's eyes dropped to the card. He squinted. Then his eyes went wide. The color drained from his face. He fumbled with the keys, nearly dropping them, and shoved the door open.

"I am so sorry, Madame," he stammered, bowing low. "Please, come in. Come in."

Claire walked past him without a glance. The air inside was conditioned and smelled of lilies.

A sales associate, a woman with a tight bun and a tighter smile, rushed over. Her eyes flicked over Claire's outfit with judgment, but she saw the card in Claire's hand and the judgment turned into predatory glee.

"How can we help you this morning?"

Claire walked to the main display case. She pointed a manicured finger.

"That diamond choker. The sapphire drop earrings. And the three-carat tennis bracelet."

"Excellent choices," the woman cooed. "Would you like to try them on in our private room?"

"No," Claire said. Her voice was flat. "Wrap them. Now."

The woman blinked. "All of them?"

"Did I stutter?"

"No, ma'am. Right away."

Claire tossed the card onto the glass counter. It landed with a heavy thud.

While the woman ran the card-her hands shaking slightly as she processed a transaction worth more than a house-Claire wandered the store. She didn't look at the jewelry. She looked at the door.

"Transaction approved," the woman said, breathless. She handed the card back with two hands, like a religious offering. "Shall I put these in a bag for you?"

"No," Claire said. She grabbed a pen and a piece of stationary from the counter. She scribbled an address. "Send them here. Osborn Campaign Headquarters. Address it to 'Derrick's Creditor'."

The woman's mouth fell open. "I... yes, ma'am."

Claire walked out.

She hit Hermès next. Then Bergdorf Goodman.

She bought bags she didn't like. She bought shoes that weren't her size. She bought a set of luggage made of crocodile skin.

Her new phone-a burner she'd picked up at a bodega on the way-buzzed.

Chase Fraud Alert: Unusual activity detected. $500,000 at Harry Winston. Press 1 to confirm.

She ignored it.

Ten blocks away, in a dimly lit underground pool hall, Branch Brewer leaned over a table.

His phone vibrated against the felt.

Amex Alert: Transaction Approved. $1,200,000.

Dash, standing by the bar with a mineral water, looked at his own tablet. His face was pale.

"Boss," Dash hissed. "She's at five million. Now six. She's robbing you blind."

Branch lined up his shot. He pulled the cue back smoothly. Crack. The eight ball sank into the corner pocket.

"She's not robbing me," Branch said, straightening up. He checked his phone and grinned. "She's testing the liquidity of my assets. She wants to know if I'm really rich, or just 'trust fund' rich."

"She's burning money!"

"Let her burn it," Branch typed a reply to the bank. Authorize all charges. Do not block. "Smart kitten."

Back on Madison Avenue, Claire stopped in front of Brioni.

She walked in. This time, she didn't buy for herself.

She walked to the suits. She ran her hand along the fabrics until she found it. A deep, blood-red velvet tuxedo jacket. It was loud. It was aggressive. It was the kind of thing only a man with zero fear would wear.

"This one," she told the tailor. "Size 42 Long."

"And the recipient?"

Claire paused. A note was a risk, a piece of physical evidence that could be traced. It was too soon for that. She needed plausible deniability.

"No note," she said, her voice cool. "Just send it to The Pierre. Penthouse B. He'll know who it's from."

Her phone rang.

It wasn't the bank this time. The screen flashed Derrick.

Claire took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, visualizing the mask she had worn for ten years. The sweet, submissive, adoring fiancée.

She slid her thumb across the screen.

"Derrick, darling?" Her voice pitched up an octave. It was sugary sweet.

"Claire!" Derrick's voice was frantic. "Where the hell are you? The stylist has been here for an hour. And why is your phone off?"

Claire looked at her reflection in the shop window. Her eyes were cold, dead sharks swimming in blue water.

"I'm so sorry, baby," she cooed. "I was just... picking up a surprise for you. For the honeymoon."

Derrick let out a breath. The anger in his voice dialed back, replaced by a patronizing tone. "Okay. Okay, sweetie. Just get back here. Tonight is the engagement party. Senator Walsh is coming. You need to look perfect."

"I know," Claire said. "I'm doing this all for you."

"Good girl. Hurry back."

The line went dead.

Claire lowered the phone. The smile dropped off her face instantly. She looked like she had tasted something rotten.

She walked out of the store, carrying only one small shopping bag. The rest had been shipped.

A black Lincoln Town Car pulled up to the curb, cutting off her path. The window rolled down.

It wasn't a taxi.

The driver was a man with a thick neck and dead eyes. Claire recognized him. Tony. Derrick's driver. The man who would, in three years, help Derrick move a dead intern's body out of a hotel room.

Tony got out of the car. He didn't smile.

"Miss Avila," Tony said, opening the back door. "Mr. Osborn sent me to pick you up. He said you shouldn't be wandering around alone."

It wasn't an offer. It was an order.

Claire gripped the handle of her shopping bag. Her knuckles turned white.

"How thoughtful of him," she said.

She stepped into the car. The lock clicked down the moment she was inside.