Kate picked up the glass beside her and took a slow sip, her eyes steady over the rim.
"I want your opinion on something, Aunt," she said, setting the glass down carefully. "If someone out in the public was trying to cross me. Working against me. Trying to spoil something I have been building. What do you think a deserving punishment would look like?"
Merinda looked at her niece for a long moment, trying to read the question behind the question.
"I cannot tell you what the punishment should be," she said slowly, "if I do not know how bad the offence was."
Kate set her glass down.
"I think Diego ratted us out." She paused. "Either that, or the imbecile is already dead."
The colour drained from Merinda's face immediately.
