Prologue
Light flooded into the grand hallway as the pitter-patter of tiny footsteps echoed off the walls, and the laughter of a child who had only known love and kindness rang down the corridor.
She squealed with delight as someone rushed to catch her, only steps behind.
But the child had other plans. Darting across the sunlit foyer, she raced toward the open doors. As she reached them, the scent of must and lingering cigar smoke tickled her nose.
Two heartbeats, neither steady, pulled at her attention.
She looked up.
