floors. Tall ceilings. A staircase curved like something from a film.
“Welcome home,” he said softly.
From the landing above, Marlene watched us with a face so motionless it looked carved from stone.
Later, after the reception inside the house had thinned out, I went to find some water.
She stopped me near the staircase, one manicured hand resting on the banister.
Her smile never reached her eyes.
“You think you’re getting the house?” she whispered. “You’ll get nothing.”
Russell appeared behind her, his bow tie loosened, champagne forgotten in
