No escape

There was a wetness in his throat. “Yes. Yes, Lila. I understand.” His voice was small. “Please…”

She let him beg a breath then said, “Good. Do it quickly.” She ended the call with the softest of clicks and looked into the mirror as the music warmed the room. Her reflection smiled back.

By the time her first guest arrived, Lila’s mood had shifted into its familiar theatricality. She had the kind of self possession that made people want to be photographed beside ...