At 7:30 Christmas morning, Gideon entered St. Matthew's Hospital.

Dante walked beside him.

Two Vale security men followed at a distance.

Gideon's tailored black overcoat concealed most of his tattoos, but the ink along his hand and neck remained visible.

People noticed him anyway.

They always did.

Dr. Elena Shaw met him outside intensive care.

“Mr. Vale.”

“Norah's mother.”

“She's stable.”

Gideon's shoulders loosened slightly.

“Can she speak?”

“Not yet.”

“What happened?”

“We can't determine everything until she's conscious. She was found outside a closed pharmacy several blocks from the park.”

“Who brought her here?”

“Anonymous emergency call.”

Gideon stopped.

“Anonymous?”

“Yes.”

“Time?”

“9:42 p.m.”

Norah had been alone in the park nearly another hour afterward.

Gideon's jaw tightened.

“Her identity?”

“We found an employee badge inside her coat.”

Dr. Shaw handed him a clear evidence pouch.

**ELISE HARPER

GRAND REGENT HOTEL**

Gideon stared through the glass door.

Elise lay unconscious.

Young.

Probably early thirties.

There was something beside her hospital bed.

A Christmas card.

Gideon frowned.

“Who brought that?”

Dr. Shaw looked confused.

“I assumed family.”

Gideon entered the room.

The card showed a snowy village.

Inside were five words.

Stop looking. Forget what happened.

Gideon's expression hardened.

“Doctor.”

“Yes?”

“Who has entered this room?”

“Nurses. Physicians—”

“Anyone else?”

“I'll check.”

Gideon called Dante.

“Lock this floor down with hospital approval. Nobody gets near her without being identified.”

Dante examined the card.

“Mercer?”

“Maybe.”

A weak voice interrupted them.

“Norah.”

Gideon turned.

Elise's eyes were open.

Barely.

He approached the bed.

“Elise?”

“Where's my daughter?”

“Safe.”

Panic filled her face.

“Where?”

“With me.”

That wasn't reassuring.

“Who are you?”

“Gideon Vale.”

Elise stared.

Recognition came instantly.

“Oh God.”

Dante almost smiled.

Gideon sighed.

“That reaction is becoming insulting.”

“Why do you have my daughter?”

“I found her in the park.”

Elise's eyes filled.

“She's okay?”

“Yes.”

“Please.”

Her hand moved weakly toward him.

“Bring her.”

“I will.”

Elise closed her eyes.

Then whispered:

“Mercer.”

“We know.”

Her eyes opened again.

“You don't understand.”

“Then explain.”

Elise struggled to speak.

“I handle financial compliance for the Regent.”

Gideon waited.

“I found transfers.”

“What kind?”

“Money moving through fake renovation vendors.”

Dante and Gideon exchanged a glance.

“How much?” Gideon asked.

“Almost thirty million.”

“And Mercer knew you found it?”

“Yes.”

“I copied everything.”

“Where?”

Elise stared at him.

“I can't tell you.”

Gideon raised an eyebrow.

“You can.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't know you.”

Dante actually laughed.

Gideon looked at him.

“Helpful.”

Elise stared at Gideon.

“I know what people say about you.”

“Some of it's probably true.”

“Then why should I trust you?”

Gideon stepped closer.

“Because last night your daughter was freezing beneath six inches of snow.”

Elise's face crumpled.

“And I picked her up.”

He lowered his voice.

“Whatever you think I am, Elise, Norah slept somewhere warm last night.”

Silence.

Finally, Elise whispered:

“The rabbit.”

Gideon frowned.

“What?”

“Mr. Buttons.”

Dante looked confused.

“The stuffed rabbit?”

Elise nodded.

“The evidence is inside him.”

---