Chapter 1 - The Order at the Sink.
The faucet had been running so long that the water no longer sounded gentle.
It sounded like a clock counting down.
Faith Morgan stood at the marble sink in Connor Hale's bright modern kitchen, balancing her sleeping two-year-old son, Noah, against her left shoulder.
His blue shirt was warm beneath her palm.
His beige shorts were wrinkled from the restless afternoon he had spent trying to sleep.
Every few seconds, his breath caught in a tiny shiver.
On the other side of the island, Evelyn Hale watched as if the child's fever were an inconvenience planned for her embarrassment.
Her blonde hair was pinned into a flawless updo, and her green dress looked untouched by the long family luncheon.
"You will finish those dishes before anyone leaves," Evelyn said.
Faith stared at the mountain of plates left by people who had already moved into the sunroom for coffee.
She had come as Connor's guest, not as hired help.
Yet Evelyn had placed an apron in her hands and announced that a woman who wanted to join the Hale family should prove she could be useful.
Faith had laughed nervously at first.
Nobody else had laughed.
"Please," Faith whispered.
"He's running a fever."
Evelyn moved another porcelain platter beside the sink.
"Children become warm when they are tired."
"He needs medicine and quiet."
"Then work faster."
Faith felt the silver letter F at her throat rise and fall with each unsteady breath.
The necklace had belonged to her mother, and touching it usually reminded her that dignity could survive a difficult room.
Today, even that promise felt thin.
She reached for the faucet with a trembling hand.
Noah stirred and pressed his cheek deeper against her collarbone.
"Mama," he murmured.
Faith immediately turned off the water.
"That's enough," she said, surprising herself.
Evelyn's expression sharpened.
"Excuse me?"
Before Faith could answer, the side door opened.
Connor stepped into the kitchen wearing a light blue shirt and beige pants, his car keys still in his hand.
He looked first at Faith's wet sleeves.
Then he saw Noah asleep against her shoulder.
Finally, he noticed his mother standing guard beside the exit.
Confusion crossed his face before anger settled beneath it.
"What is going on here?"
Evelyn's raised finger slowly dropped.
"Connor," she said.
"You're home early."
Faith looked at him, but relief did not come.
On the island beside Connor's keys lay an envelope she had never seen before.
Her full name was written across it in Evelyn's handwriting.
Underneath it were three words that made her blood run cold.
PRIVATE BACKGROUND REPORT.
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THE NECKLACE AT THE SINK
