QUEEN Wilberforce’s sleek black car crawled to a stop at the circular driveway of the Escobar mansion. The moment she stepped out, the wind tangled her carefully styled hair, but she barely noticed. She was too busy clutching her handbag to her chest like it was the last thing holding her together.

The heavy doors swung open before she could even knock. It was the butler who greeted her with a stiff bow and ushered her in. The grand foyer was silent, the hush of a house that seemed to swallow up any hint of life.

Queen barely muttered a greeting as she strode inside. She didn’t need to ask,...