X

in the office, staring at the glossy white invitation card on

Family" seemed to shine under the morning sunlight

elf included, to this evening's engagement party for his

ve what my eyes were seeing and all the side goss

it all shockd me to my heart. Why now? Why the secrecy all these years? The Johnsons were

y mother's number. If anyone could offer some insight and

voice warm but carrying an undertone of conce

the invitation. "Kenneth Johnson has invited everyone i

e line, and then her voice came back, sharper

my desk. "His daughter. The same da

almost picture her expression...her wid

veryone knows the Johnson girl has been gone for yea

what the invitation says. And the even

nya had joined the call. "What's going on?" she a

gagement ball for his daughter tonight," M

d. "The daughter who'

pparently, she's alive and getting eng

the frown in her voice. "Do you think it's some kind of publicity

pted. "Max, when did you get this invitat

st came in this morning. I think everyone in the

e certain the invitation is real? What if it's a

it's real. Kenneth wouldn't play games like th

mething off about this whole thing. Why wait so lo

in. "Max, are you

, I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open. Someth

ow with people like Kenneth Johnson. He's a busine

ind him, and my chest tightened when I

k jeans, and a black face cap pulled low over his face. His casual

voice laced with bot

phone again but keeping my eyes fixed

fear crept up my spine. The man was dressed sharply, as always, but th

ice came through the phone, but

d out, her voice

tightened around the phone. The man in my office stepped closer, hi

her's voice demanded again, growing l

e reaction he'd provoked. "What's th

Max?" he added, nodding t

antic now. "Max! Max, an

. "Mom, I have to call you back," I said

ut

cutting the call and setting the ph

asually against the edge of my desk. "You look lik

ked, trying to sound cal