The sleek black Bentley had just purred to a halt at the curb outside Violet’s apartment building when her phone trilled, shattering the heavy silence that had enveloped them since the press conference.

"Yes? Hello?" Violet's voice was a little too bright, a deliberate performance for the man sitting beside her. "Oh, a delivery? Now? Yes, I see you. I'll be right down."

She ended the call and turned to Michael, her large eyes wide and imploring. "Michael, I'm so sorry to trouble you, but ...