CHAPTER 17
THE ASSISTANT
I felt him before I saw him. A presence behind me as I climbed out of my car and speed-walked to my shared apartment. You know that odd prickle you get when you’re being watched? Logic told me to turn around, to check for danger, but what you can’t see won’t hurt you, right? My walk became a run—screw decorum—and I sprinted for the door of my building. I didn’t live in a great area. Being mugged was a very real possibility, especially now that I was wearing jewellery worth thousands.
I’d considered leaving Mr. Vale’s necklace and earrings in my apartment, but although I had a lock on my bedroom door, I didn’t entirely trust my housemates. And even if they were honest, our apartment was on the ground floor and my window didn’t close properly. Keeping the gifts in
