Damon put the box with the bracelets in the glovepartment on the passenger side.


    Just as he was about to close it, he spotted some documents inside and frowned. He tried to remember when he had put them there. No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn''t recall. He was about to pull them out for a look when his phone rang, It was Giselle calling.


    "My parents just left, Damon. A few friends found out I was out of the hospital and wanted to throw me a little get-


    together. Are you done yet? Want toe?" she asked.


    This time, Damon didn''t even think twice. He turned her down right away.


    Giselle''s tone immediately grew somber. Just as she was about to try sweet-


    talking him, he cut in, saying he had a meeting to get to, then hung up. After that, he shut the glovepartment and headed home.


    The vi, which was usually full of life, was eerily quiet today. Damon looked around and noticed a lot of things missing from the living room-


    like the tie he''d left on the coffee table months ago, the mug on the dining table, and the throw pillows on the couch.


    They were all little things ra had brought home, things he normally wouldn''t have paid much attention to. But for some reason, he could tell right away that something was off


    Calling for the elderly butler, Dous Oakes, he asked, "Why are so many things missing from the house?"


    "Mrs. Croft throw them all out," Dous answered respectfully, then nced at Darnon. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Mr. Croft, are you really going to div


    "Duron! I knew you''d be home on a snowy day like this!" A group of his friends barged in with their arms slung around each other. "How long has it been since we hung out? Come on, let''s go grab a drink!"


    Dous didn''t even get the chance to finish saying "divorce before their chatter drowned out his voice.


    Even though they were out for drinks, Damon''s friends were mindful of his health and handed him only in water.


    Damon watched them y games,


    took a few sips, and pulled out his phone to text ra. "Did you go out today? Where to? When are youing back? Send me the address. I''lle pick you up. The roads are slick from the snow, so watch your step."


    Before he could hit send, his friend Fabian ne grabbed his arm.


    Fabian''s expression changed the second he ended a phone call. His voice was urgent as he called out to the group at the table, "Let''s go! We''re heading somewhere else. Something big just came up!"