Page 39 of One Second After Another

“I hear there’s an important event coming up for Senator Tracey—an official engagement dinner to Allegra Hatheway.”

Her throat tightened with flaring anger that rose up from the pits of her empty belly. Even eating lately was an added chore. “It’s nothing.”

“Lies. It’s the first—maybe only—opening you’ll have to kill her. They know it, too. The League, The Elite. They’ll be expecting you there. Is that a risk you’re going to take?”

“What choice do I have?”

Even if it might kill her.

“Good luck,” Cross said.

Penny headed down the stairs, saying to herself, “I don’t need luck—I’m still trying to find hope.”

• • •

THE ROOF OF THE OFFICE building currently undergoing construction in its underground garage was twenty stories high. With lax security and a clear view of the Manhattan restaurant situated diagonally from the office building where Penny worked fast behind the shelter of an air conditioning system.

One piece at a time, her rifle came together under her skilled hands. The sniper would allow her miles of vision, but she only needed the block of distance between her roof and the front of the restaurant where her mother would soon be arriving alongside her senator fiancé.

The rattling of the air conditioning system was loud in her ear. Darkness coated her every movement, only the glow of lights from nearby buildings and a single security light somewhere at her back giving her any visibility to work.

Nothing she couldn’t handle.

Nothing she hadn’t done before.

She wouldn’t usually pick a spot like this to work. Beyond the difficulties the roof provided to her plan, the noise was distracting. No sniper with any choice in the matter would willingly choose to take long-distance shots through crosswinds while an air conditioner roared beside them. It was made for disaster.

A missed shot.

It was also perfect for Penny.

Or rather, perfect for what she needed. The large metal shades on the system kept her hidden from view of anyone who might be on a higher, nearby roof watching for her. The roof of the office building itself, despite the crosswinds, allowed her a perfect view directly inside the front of the restaurant through the windows, a good portion of the road, and the entrance of the business.

It couldn’t get better.

With only the barrel of her rifle sticking out on the side of the roof, Penny laid flat to the cement and came eye-level with the scope on her gun. The case lay open beside her, waiting and ready for her to dismantle and pack up the weapon as quickly as she arrived to unpack it.

The butt rested comfortably against her shoulder as she moved the sights to scan the road and entrance of the restaurant. Cars were already arriving, dropping off the only people who would have access to the business for the evening. Guests of the engagement party between Senator Gilles Tracey and Allegra Hatheway.

Penny checked the windows, too, and the people inside. Some faces she recognized, but that was only from old family ties. She wasn’t late—or too early. History and the expectations of people like her mother’s family told her that some shit never changed. The party might have started ten minutes ago, but the guests of the hour were never late. Everyone else was always early.

Penny didn’t mind waiting.

Soon, a black car with a familiar flag attached to the front and rear of the vehicle pulled up to the entrance of the restaurant. Even if Penny hadn’t noticed the political flags, the security that quickly moved from the entrance of the business to the sidewalk where they could open the rear doors of the car said more than enough. Another black car pulled up right behind, suits stepping out from every angle just to surround the town car with legs spread shoulder-width apart and hands folded at their backs.

She didn’t care about them.

Gilles Tracey stepped out of the car first—then, Allegra. Wearing a royal blue gown that matched the color of her soon-to-be husband’s vest and tie. The wind in the city streets had the skirt of the gown billowing around the two as they shared words, and the security stepped further back with neutral expressions.

At least they were neutral.

Allegra and Gilles were anything but. The man with gray at his temples whispered something Allegra’s way, his narrowed gaze and shake of his head saying more than what Penny could understand through the sights of her scope.

The man wasn’t happy.

Allegra tried to soothe ... like she did.

It didn’t work.