CHAPTER 33 —

They walked out of the vault like soldiers after a small victory — not triumphant, more like survivors who'd found a clean shirt in a ruin. The marble steps glinted under a late sun that answered a second behind the mood of the city, and Nicole felt the world tilt toward something that might pass for quiet. For once, the late answers were merciful: a dog barked, two taxis sighed, a florist swept the curb and missed a petal. The baby kicked — three soft taps — like a ...