Fall of the Texas Kingdom

ivid, a sharp ache

her mind a steel trap, her loyalty to

s a force of nature, navigating the trea

ade enemies, especia

val for Charles Sr.' s ear, an obsta

ng her, a scared, skinny kid

h, her fierce

Maria had said, her voice gentl

the flashy Harrison "deal-making," but the subtle art o

used to say, "are the ones no one sees co

nda' s system

g rumors, undermining her

watched helplessly as Maria

dental" c

A slick road

s recommendation after Maria' s long-time driver suddenly retir

ph had been qui

ne, her infl

renda t

ordinary people, the "little peo

staffers, local of

People who now formed E

there were others, all loyal to Maria' s

Maria' s too-small funeral, a promise

rrison empire from within.

asual cruelty, the arrogance, the

tion was a cold fir