The evidence was enough to destroy Mercer financially.

But not enough to prove what happened to Elise.

Gideon wanted both.

The police were brought in carefully.

Not everyone trusted Gideon.

Gideon trusted even fewer of them.

Detective Maya Brennan met him in the hospital conference room.

“You've interfered with an active investigation.”

“I saved your primary witness's daughter.”

“You also installed private security on a hospital floor.”

“After someone entered Elise's room.”

Brennan stopped.

“What?”

Gideon slid the Christmas card across the table.

Her expression changed.

“You didn't mention this.”

“You didn't ask.”

“Vale.”

“Detective.”

They stared at each other.

Finally Brennan sighed.

“I hate dealing with you.”

“People often say that.”

Dante entered.

“We have a problem.”

Gideon looked up.

“What?”

“Price disappeared.”

Brennan cursed.

“Mercer?”

“Still at his Gold Coast residence.”

Gideon's phone vibrated.

A message.

A photograph.

Norah leaving Gideon's penthouse that morning with security.

Beneath it:

You can't guard her forever.

Gideon's face went blank.

Dante saw the screen.

“So much for subtle.”

Brennan reached for the phone.

“Give me that.”

Gideon handed it over.

“Trace it.”

“We will.”

He turned toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Moving Norah.”

“Absolutely not.”

Gideon stopped.

Brennan continued.

“She stays under police protection.”

“Someone knew her exact movements.”

“We don't know how.”

“I do.”

Everyone looked at him.

Gideon pointed toward the hospital corridor.

“Someone is watching from inside.”

---

The answer arrived thirty minutes later.

A hospital contractor had accessed the security system using stolen credentials.

He had been paid through one of Mercer's shell companies.

Brennan looked furious.

“We have enough for a warrant.”

“Then move.”

“That's my job.”

Gideon leaned against the table.

“I'm learning to delegate.”

She stared at him.

“Try harder.”

But when police arrived at Mercer's residence, it was empty.

Dante received another call.

“He left twenty minutes ago.”

“Destination?”

“Grand Regent.”

Gideon frowned.

“Why return to the hotel?”

Elise answered from the doorway.

“Because there's another copy.”

Everyone turned.

She stood supported by a nurse.

Gideon approached.

“You should be in bed.”

“And you should stop ordering everybody around.”

Norah peeked from behind her.

Gideon pointed.

“You're supposed to be resting too.”

Norah crossed her arms.

“Mama said you're bossy.”

Dante coughed.

Gideon ignored him.

Elise continued.

“The original records are in the hotel's compliance archive.”

“Mercer's destroying them.”

“Yes.”

Brennan grabbed her radio.

“We're going.”

Gideon followed.

She turned.

“No.”

“Detective.”

“No.”

Dante murmured, “This should be entertaining.”

Brennan pointed at Gideon.

“You stay here.”

Gideon glanced toward Norah.

Then toward Elise.

For perhaps the first time in his adult life, he made a decision nobody expected.

“Fine.”

Brennan blinked.

“Fine?”

“My responsibility is here.”

She stared suspiciously.

“That's surprisingly reasonable.”

“Don't get accustomed to it.”

The detective left.

Elise studied him.

“You're really staying?”

Gideon looked down at Norah.

“Yes.”

Norah smiled.

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because it's Christmas.”

She grabbed his hand.

“And nobody should be alone on Christmas.”

Gideon couldn't speak.

Because those were almost exactly the words Juniper had once told him.

---