Shady Figures

Arthur Sutherland drummed his fingers against the car door, his sharp eyes fixed on the modest apartment building Jerica Evans called home. The sleek, black car parked discreetly at the curb was a far cry from the bustling world inside that building—simple, unassuming, and seemingly disconnected from the high-stakes games Arthur often found himself playing. Yet, here he was, drawn into yet another puzzle.

Jerica Evans.

His wife Lydia's recent obsession with the young woman had raised more than a few alarms. Lydia, prone to whims and fixations, usually turned her attention to grandiose charities or socialite feuds. But Jerica was different. There was nothing about the girl's life or demeanor to suggest why she had become such an object of Lydia's interest. That is, until Arthur's investigation uncovered a familiar name tied to Jerica's life—a name that stirred memories he had long buried.

Henry Bassinger.