Chapter 3 - The Search Begins
The heavy oak doors of the ballroom slammed open as Graham rushed out into the lobby, his tuxedo jacket flying open.
His face had lost all its color, the relaxed confidence of a groom instantly replaced by sheer, unadulterated panic.
“Natalie! Are you sure she isn't in the bathroom or down by the terrace?” Graham asked, grabbing her shoulders.
“I checked every single room on this floor, Graham! She’s not here!” Natalie cried, pushing past him to check the side exits.
Wedding guests were beginning to mill about the hallway, whispering among themselves as the dramatic scene unfolded before them.
“Has anyone seen a little girl in a white dress?” Graham shouted to the catering staff scurrying past with trays of champagne.
Several waiters shook their heads, mumbling apologies as they hurried toward the reception hall.
Natalie pulled out her phone again, opening the tracking app she had installed on Maisie’s digital watch last month.
The little blue dot blinked on the map, signaling a location deep on the southern edge of the country club grounds.
“Her watch is pinging near the old maintenance sheds by the lake,” Natalie said, pointing the screen directly at Graham’s face.
Graham stared at the tiny blinking light, his eyes widening as a cold realization hit him.
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“Why would Maisie go all the way down to the maintenance sheds by herself?” Graham whispered in disbelief.
“She wouldn't,” Natalie hissed venomously. “Somebody took her.”
