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"Good," I say "How’s life on the outside?"

Da a little stir crazy?"

"Not that I don’t love this fairy palace, but--"

He makes a nonco a snatures," she says, handing hilances at me "And this came for you," she adds, then holds out a plain white envelope It’s addressed to me, care of Stark International There’s no return address, but the posteles

"That’s weird," I say, as Damien tosses the clipboard onto a cushion and comes to my side

"Open it," he says

I do There’s a folded piece of paper inside I pull it out, unfold it, and immediately feel sick

Bitch Slut Whore

"Motherfucker," Da the letter and the envelope froazine froes, then hands the erprints on it"

"Of course, Mr Stark Ms Fairchild, I’m so sorry I didn’t know"

"No, of course you didn’t," I say

"It’s okay, Sylvia" Damien’s words are a dismissal

She nods "I’ll just come back for those documents later" She starts to leave, then pauses and turns back to ize if this is out of line, Ms Fairchild, but I just wanted to say that I saw the painting when I was at the Malibu house coordinating with the decorator before the party"

I’ve been staring blankly at the azine in which the vile note is hidden, but now I look up at her face with interest

"It’s a beautiful portrait," she says "Stunning and engaging Frankly, I think Mr Stark got a bargain As far as I’m concerned, it’s worth at least twoback tears as she speaks, and now I burst out with a laugh that is choked with tears "Thank you," I say, then sniff I shoot a wry grin toward Damien "I like her"

"Yes," he says dryly "She’s very capable" His mouth is thin, but I can see the hint of amusement, not to mention the silent nod of thanks when he tells Sylvia, "That will be all"

She nods, then slips out of the apartment

"There are a lot of fucked-up people in the world," Daet to you"

"You’re never going to be able to track who sent that letter"