Chapter 1 — The Woman Who Took Her
Emily couldn't sleep after the DNA results.
Every answer she had searched for since childhood had finally arrived.
But one question still refused to leave her mind.
Who had taken her?
Richard sat across from her in his study, surrounded by shelves filled with family photographs that should have included her.
Instead...
There was an empty space on one shelf.
"My wife refused to let anyone move that frame," Richard said quietly.
"She believed you'd come home one day."
Emily swallowed hard.
Richard slid an old investigation file across the desk.
"For years, the police believed a nanny named Margaret Doyle kidnapped you."
Emily opened the faded folder.
Inside were newspaper clippings.
Police reports.
Court records.
One sentence caught her attention.
Suspect disappeared before arrest.
"She was never found?" Emily asked.
Richard slowly shook his head.
"Until yesterday."
Emily looked up.
Richard placed another photograph on the desk.
A recent surveillance image.
An elderly woman leaving a small church outside Boston.
Emily's heartbeat quickened.
"She's alive."
May you like
Richard nodded.
"And she asked to see you."
