I smiled pleasantly. "Thank you all for coming at this hour."
Rebecca shot me a sharp glare and dropped to her knees beside Ashton. Then the television in the corner of the room switched on by itself.
The video began playing.
John really was brilliant. I hadn't needed to lift a single finger. I sat back and watched their faces instead, reading every shift and flicker as the footage rolled. There was fear, heartache, shock, and disbelief, all of it spread openly across their faces for me to observe and savour. He had timed the whole thing perfectly, and I had never been more glad to call him my brother.
When it finally ended, Rebecca looked at me, then down at Ashton's bloodied hand. The color had drained completely from her face. I set my glass on the table and crossed the room slowly toward her. I crouched down and smiled. "Ms. Larson, did you enjoy it? Would you like to know what it actually feels like when your child is taken from you that way?"
