Chapter 1 - THE CHILD HE TRIED TO TAKE.
Detective Mara Collins pulled free from Grant Holloway’s grip and crossed the ballroom toward seven-year-old Lily Carter, who was crying beside a fallen medical vial.
“Sweetheart, can you tell me what happened?”
Before Lily could answer, Grant stepped forward.
“She is coming with me.”
Mara opened her badge wallet.
“Police. Step away from the child and put your hands up.”
Grant’s arrogance vanished. Guests who had ignored Lily now watched him raise both hands.
The vial carried a label from St. Aurelia Children’s Clinic, a private facility owned by the Holloway family. Lily whispered that Grant had told her the medicine would make her “quiet enough for the car ride.”
Mara sealed the vial and opened the small black case. Inside were guardianship papers naming Grant as Lily’s temporary custodian.
The papers claimed Lily’s mother had abandoned her.
Lily clutched Mara’s sleeve.
“My mom is upstairs. They locked her in Room 804.”
Mara looked toward the hotel elevators.
May you like
Grant smiled again.
“Room 804 does not exist.”
