*“But we need the physical symptoms to match the diagnosis.”*

*“Increase the dosage of the bromide.”*

*“If he loses his speech entirely, Matteo will break.”*

*“You will be rewarded handsomely once I take control of the table.”*

I held the physical proof of a conspiracy in my hands.

Silvio DeLuca was paying the head housekeeper to poison his own grand-nephew.

I looked at the ledger remaining inside the safe.

I reached in to grab it, intending to take everything.

Before my fingers could touch the leather cover, a shadow fell across the bedroom floor.

The door to Mrs. Higgins’s room hadn’t just clicked shut earlier.

It had been left slightly ajar.

And now, the shadow was moving.

I looked up toward the vanity mirror.

Reflected in the glass, a figure stood in the doorway.

It wasn’t Mrs. Higgins.

It was a tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark grey suit.

The silver DeLuca crest pinned to his lapel caught the dim light of the room.

His eyes met mine in the reflection.

I froze.

My hand hovered inches from the open safe.