A Perfect Facade

Dawn broke in thin bands of gray over the east pavilion. Sitting before the dressing vanity, Leona pulled the loose sleeve of a black cashmere sweater over her right forearm. Beneath the soft fabric, clean surgical gauze bound the fresh wound from the dockside skirmish. The dull throbbing had settled into a steady ache, but it was not the physical injury that kept her awake.

*The identity of the