Chapter 1
“She gets a new wish next year. You just get a grave.”
Cordelia’s smile disappeared.
Percival stopped trying to straighten.
Good.
I had no intention of giving either of them the satisfaction of seeing me shout.
Men who have known me longest fear quiet more.
Behind me, Beatrix remained in my bodyguard’s arms with the stuffed rabbit crushed against her chest.
Three years old.
Birthday cake ruined.
Paper crown destroyed.
Still somehow more concerned about me than herself.
“I was going to use that wish for Dad.”
Her voice kept repeating in my head.
I looked at Cordelia.
“What exactly did a three-year-old do to offend you?”
She wiped frosting from one finger.
“She’s spoiled.”
Wrong.
“Try again.”
Percival spoke first.
“It was a joke.”
I looked at the guests.
Nobody laughed now.
Interesting.
Several had laughed before I entered.
I remembered every face.
Then Beatrix’s rabbit slipped slightly from her arm.
Something metallic flashed beneath one torn seam.
I stepped toward her.
“Sweetheart.”
She held tighter.
“No take Bunny.”
“I won’t.”
I crouched.
The seam along the rabbit’s stomach had been pulled open when Cordelia snatched it.
Inside the stuffing was a small brass key tied to a strip of dark blue ribbon.
Cordelia went completely still.
There.
Not the crown.
Not the cake.
Not even the public cruelty.
The rabbit.
That was what she wanted.
I removed nothing.
I simply looked at her.
“You knew that was inside.”
She shook her head.
Too quickly.
Percival looked toward the crushed gift box beneath Cordelia’s heel.
I followed his eyes.
Its false bottom had cracked open.
Empty.
Someone had expected the key to be there instead.
I stood slowly.
“Now we’re having a different birthday party.”
Cordelia whispered:
“Leander…”
“No.”
I looked around the room.
“Anyone who laughed when she cried stays.”
Several guests lowered their glasses.
Good.
May you like
Because I suddenly had a feeling my daughter’s humiliation had never been spontaneous.
It had been a test.
