Chapter 2 - THE OFFICIAL STORY
Victoria grabbed Emma’s hand and turned to the security officer.
“Someone may have taken her mother. Call the police. Ask your manager to preserve every camera recording from the last hour.”
The officer’s expression changed. “Right away.”
Victoria led Emma into a small conference room behind the lobby. She shut the door, then knelt so they were eye to eye.
“Did your mom tell you why she came here?”
“She said you were the only person who could help us.”
Victoria swallowed. “Why now?”
Emma opened her mouth, but a knock interrupted them.
A hotel manager stood outside with a tablet. “Ms. Hale? We have the footage.”
They watched Caroline enter the lobby at 8:14 a.m. She wore a blue coat and kept one hand on Emma’s shoulder. At 8:17, she spoke to a man Victoria recognized immediately.
Her attorney, Daniel Cross.
Daniel had handled Victoria’s business affairs for eleven years. He had arranged her father’s funeral. He knew where she lived, where she traveled, and exactly which hotel she was staying in.
On the recording, Caroline backed away from him. Daniel caught her arm. She pulled free and hurried toward the exit. He followed.
Outside, a black sedan stopped at the curb.
The recording cut to a different camera. For six seconds, the street was hidden behind a delivery truck. When the truck moved, Caroline and Daniel were gone.
“Can you read the license plate?” Victoria asked.
The manager shook his head. “The angle’s wrong.”
Emma stared at the screen. “That’s him.”
“You know Daniel?”
“He came to our apartment last week. Mom told me to lock myself in the bathroom.”
Victoria called Daniel. He answered on the second ring.
“Victoria,” he said warmly. “How was your flight?”
She looked at the frozen image of his hand around Caroline’s arm.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“At my office.”
Victoria held the phone away from Emma. “I’m coming over.”
May you like
A brief silence followed.
“Good,” Daniel said. “We need to talk about the little girl you found.”
