The penthouse was silent except for the hum of the city below. Marcella stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, wine glass in hand, watching the dawn break over the skyline.

Behind her, the television played on mute,footage of Grayson being escorted from her office in handcuffs, surrounded by federal agents and flashing cameras. The ticker scrolled endlessly: SENATOR ARRESTED. TRAFFICKING SCANDAL. BIPARTISAN OUTRAGE.

Marcella's reflection in the glass smiled.

"Poor Evelyn," she murmured. "Always ...