Over the following days, the oppressive atmosphere did not abate.

Like a black cloud hanging over the house, the pair went through the motions and little else.

Casey felt troubled and by the third day, felt exhausted. She was barely sleeping, trying to parse out what could be done about Ardashir’s blackmail.

She was also aware that she was not alone in laying awake. Lavinia held her every day when they slept and Casey knew that she had been barely ...