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Ash sawthe moment Kayla connected Sybil to Gradient Enterprises and what that meant.

All the color leached from her face and her breathing became more labored. Then she did something surprising.

Rather than rail at the Almighty or break into tears or isolate herself, she lifted her chin and stared into the night sky. She said nothing for several long seconds and soon her breathing returned to its normal rhythm and color entered her cheeks.

“You’re sure?” she asked into the silence.

“Positive.” He tried to catch her eye, but her gaze remained heavenward. “Can you think of any reason why Sybil would want the governor dead?”

“Dead? No. Removed from office, maybe.”

“Tell me.”

“One of the reasons people loved Vicky and why she made such an effective governor was her ability to mediate difficult issues. She could find that happy medium where both sides of the aisle felt as though they not only won, but also stuck it to the other side.”

“Sounds like an impossible feat.”

“For many in the political arena, it was. But not Vicky.” Her gaze slid from the diamonds sparkling above to focus on him. “It was a gift that oftentimes put her in conflict with Service’s tenets.”

“Which are?”

“Service sees itself as a warrior against corruption—and, historically, men have been the corruptors, the polluters of society.”

“Let me guess. Victoria worked well with men as well as women to get the job done.”

She nodded. “Sybil and Vicky had been butting heads more and more lately. Sybil became vocal about her opposition to Vicky negotiating deals with the Senate leader and Speaker of the House, both of whom are men.”

“Every negotiation strengthened Victoria’s position, but also the State’s male leadership.”

“Exactly. Service has been working behind the scenes to position two women who could assume those leadership roles.”

“But they won’t get the votes if their male colleagues are bringing in the wins and getting the job done.”

“Why upset the apple cart if all the apples are unblemished?”

“HCVS wasn’t willing to wait out the three years remaining on the governor’s term.”

“Not HCVS,” she said with uncharacteristic roughness. “Despite appearances, Service is responsible for some amazing political, social, and moral transformations around the world.” Grief filled her voice. “If Sybil is responsible for Vicki’s murder and my mother’s disappearance, she’s gone rogue. I guarantee you that her actions have not been sanctioned by Service. We don’t do violence, especially against our own, to accomplish our goals.”

If Service was as big and wide-ranging as Kayla led him to believe, it wouldn’t be unheard of for a small faction to lose faith in the organization’s methods and strike out on their own. Was Sybil acting alone? Or were there others in this region who shared her desire for a more expedient resolution to the Vicky problem?

Could Jillian Krowne’s disappearance be of her own doing?

Kayla shot off her lounge chair. “I can’t sit here and do nothing.” She stormed into her suite, and Ash followed.

“What does that mean?”

“I’m going to see Sybil. Confront her with our findings.”

“If she confesses, then what?”

“I’ll demand she turn herself in.”

“You think she’ll go along with your plan? This is the woman whose son can mobilize an army of trained killers.”

“Sybil used to change my diapers. She’s not going to hurt me.”

“She may have ordered her best friend’s death. If so, what do you think she’ll do when she’s desperate and backed into a corner?”

“I guess you’ll have to come with me.” She pulled a Glock from her handbag, checked the chamber and mag like a pro, and tried for a smile. “Two guns are better than one, I hear.”