Hearts of Steel and Stone

red a view of the city that stretched to the horizon. The desk was made from a single piece of maho

t like

the doorway holding a tablet. "The Hender

n negotiated over weeks, every detail scrutinized by his legal team. He re

time i

-thi

llowed for eight years. Gym at four-thirty. Shower and breakfast at home.

'clock," Jennifer said. "The mee

Elena had repaired three days ago. His fingers found the s

e storm. The memory of her hands working at the sewing machi

ecoming

e meeting,

nearly slipped fro

o'clock.

stors flew in

dy walking toward the door. "I

ed him down the hall. "

I'll see th

spot, black and gleaming under the fluorescent lights. The insurance company had de

here men in suits hurried along sidewalks, their faces set in t

e streets narrowed. The people walking here moved differently

oing bac

men. He didn't think about them during contract negotiations or cancel important meeti

't even asked

weathered, but they seemed solid rather than run-down. People moved with purpose along the sid

utes, watching the shop through the windshield. The same hand-painted

s he do

d risks. Every decision was made with careful anal

t of the

ed up from her sewing machine, and for a moment, surpri

id, her voice po

in th

turned to her work.

repair was

ing unreadable in her express

e small shop, feeling foolish. Elena continued sewing,

?" he asked, needing

Her granddaughter is ge

for something neutral to s

gs worth d

dle through the fabric. She didn't look at him, didn't invite conversation. Marcus r

r next week," he said. "

d of alte

ve length, maybe

time since he'd entered. Her examination was thorough and profess

ts well," she

ld fit

head slightly. "What spec

He hadn't actually thought that far

eves, which were perfectly ta

they'

neutral. "Would you like some coff

es

methodical approach she brought to everything else. Marcus watched her h

you been in bus

e ye

g to start y

wo mismatched cups. "My mother got sick. I

sor

lena's voice was steady, matter-of

fingers touch. Marcus noted the deliberate dist

" Elena asked. "

in st

constr

mostly. Industri

, and a dozen smaller businesses. His net worth was measured in billions, not millions. But looki

ds stable,

t

uring tape from her supplies. "I'

was impersonal, professional. She measured his shoulders, his chest, the l

e said, stepping back. "I'm not sure

sle

eves are

lena's expression was polite but distant. Marcus fe

t could be take

lready tailored

Marcus sto

y w

thi

ements. "I could make minor adjustments if you i

money t

cooler now. "But it's my reput

temperature drop to

l want the a

N

ink we're

movements sharp and controlled. "

thi

ins

you don't ow

adversaries without meaning to. Marcus felt the familiar cold settling over h

for your ti

re we

ith his hand on the handle. "For what

nk y

was fighting. Behind him, the shop door closed with a gentle jingle. He walked to his car

to her work, her head bent over the red silk dres

: "Rescheduled meeting for tomorrow. H

ped back:

ward his tower of glass and steel, Marcus knew that nothin

about a woman who trea

ure out why that bo