TER

MY DA

ow and impatient, his fingers twitched on the armrest of his leat

d a tablet gripped tightly in his hand. "Your daughter's phone last pinged at the Argentum

rnoon sun. Heavy blackout curtains muffled the light, and tension ch

ative from Homeland Security, a cyber surveillance expert, and

and father of Emily Carter-kept his mask on. His sharp Italian suit was impeccab

mbling slightly as she clutched a tissue she hadn't used yet. Her pearls glin

nroe continued. "This wasn't a ransom kidna

ed, his voice a blade, "whoever

was a

han she looked, her gaze flicking to the folder in front of her. "Anyone

y, leaned forward, a

ave the time of day. Some washed up chefs. A model or two who felt t

e'll want access to her phone recor

's something else. We've reviewed the guest list for the Arm

. It was a big night-Zeke Armani was unveiling a new art p

firm she arrived dressed in black, red hee

s anothe

dancing with Zeke Z

be right. Emily hated that man, she di

cked the footage myself. The CCTV didn't show a

s narrow. "So you're say

Our families have been in the same circles. He's reckless, su

' doesn't rule out motive. Especially if your daug

ndetta," Mr. C

?" Monroe asked. "

beat. "If I had reason to suspect Zeke,

ce fell, thic

'll monitor her bank activity, social media pings, check border

ll," Car

uietly left the room. The security consultant

hut with a

ally let out a s

her and stood. "

is chest. "What if she's dead, Dominic?" Her voice cracked

d. "She's alive. I know

r, she really was reluctant to go." Rosa clung tighter, sobbing softly into his chest. "She

hair. "We'll find her. Wh

e humid early evening sky, a young

akers stained from walking miles. He was lean, brown-skinned,

aring his throat. "I'm lo

guard raised a b

e stay with me a couple nights. Said she was... going through something. She called me two days

ed closer, exchanging

idn't

ach dropped.

wo days ago. She's not working here anymore.

iego repea

a shrug. "But she packed her stuff and left

mouth dry. "She didn't

lk about it," the first guard offe

rd and turned away

e looming behind him lik

he pulled out his phone agai

ling is switched off. P

d at the

something was w

disappear without a word,