The sight burned worse than the addiction. The betrayal of the law was a jagged pill she couldn't swallow. Nancy watched as Violet took a slow, leisurely sip of her coffee, the woman's face devoid of any fear.
The list in Nancy's head grew longer, and the ink turned to blood.
The fluorescent lights of the hallway flickered, casting strobe-like shadows over Nancy's pale, sweat-slicked face.
Julian's grip on her elbow tightened, firm and unyielding, as he pivoted her away from the viewing glass. He didn't just lead her; he hauled her toward the exit before her shaking hands could reach for the door handle to tear into that room.
"She works with high-rank people, Nancy," Julian whispered, his voice a low, urgent vibration as they slipped back into the cool night air. "I heard she has big-time politicians in her corner. It's a syndicate, a machine. She's the second-in-command. You can't win against her upfront. You'd be dead before you cleared the lobby."
