With the stunning switch in his behavior, the boy became studied and focused. He spoke with the gravity of a lawyer giving his client bad news. “So to the point, Miss Alexa,” he began. “I won’t belabor this any further and I’m sure you’re curious.” Under other circumstances she might have laughed at the unnaturally mature tone, but not this time. This was not a child’s game, and she shivered as her eyes met his imperious stare. “I must say,” he cleared his throat, “I was surprised when I opened the safe and discovered this file.” He opened the leather folder to reveal a sheaf of papers and beneath them a number of black and white photographs. Although only the tips of the pictures were visible underneath the papers, Alexa immediately knew what they were without having to see them. She also
