The more Ceci thought about it, the more her suspicions hardened into conviction.

Linsy wasn’t just cautious, she was territorial. The regret she had shown earlier, her hesitation in bringing Ceci into Michael Helwart’s orbit, wasn’t the hesitation of a dutiful secretary who had failed her task. No. It was the jealousy of a woman guarding her fragile position.

Ceci saw it now with startling clarity.

Linsy liked Michael. And a woman in love does not tolerate rivals. That was why she had ...