“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” He kissed me, aiming for my lips but I turned my face down and he had to settle for my forehead. “I just heard an hour ago. My poor darling. Come here.” He reached for my arm and led me into the apartment, closing the door behind me with a quiet click, not bothering with the locks. He held my face in his hands, caressing my hair and cooing at me that everything would be all right now. I recoiled and turned my face away. “I know you’re upset, sweetheart. Come sit down.” He put his arm around me and led me to the sofa in the living room. He held me against him and murmured something in my hair. For a heartbeat I let myself relax against his chest. If only it could have been that way between us.

“She died on September twenty-ninth,” I said, pulling away from him. “There was a house fire near the rehab center she went to. My sister’s dental records were switched with another woman’s, so no one realized she was dead.” A tear ran down my cheek and I brushed it away.

“You don’t have to talk about it. I heard enough details on the news. My poor Lily.”

“It sounds like she died of an overdose, but the police told me it would take a long time to confirm that. They have a lot to figure out.”

“I’m sure they do, sweetheart. There’s nothing you can do to help her now. Leave it to them. My only concern right now is you.” He stroked my hair and rubbed my neck. “I’m taking you away for a few days. Your choice: Maui or Barbados. I like Maui but it’s a much longer flight.”

I stood up and walked to the window. Martin’s apartment overlooked Central Park, and even now the view amazed me. Wherever Martin was—his office, his hotel, his home—he was always looking down on the world. Maybe that was why he felt he could play God. “Why did you lie to me about Claudia?” I turned to look at him. “Why did you tell me she called you in December? She was dead long before December.”

Martin’s brow furrowed. “I thought it was Claudia. I would’ve sworn it was her.” He gestured helplessly. “I didn’t really remember what Claudia’s voice sounded like. I thought it was her.”

“What did she actually say to you, Martin?”

“I don’t remember exactly. I was so distracted, and tired. I’d just come back from a trip.” There was wariness behind his gaze. He was waiting for my reaction, gauging every step of his high-wire act by my quiet fury.

“You told me she asked you for money. I believe that part. But the woman who called wasn’t going to rehab. She was blackmailing you.”