After getting the info she wanted, Sofia told Bailey and Hank goodnight, then slipped out of the study and headed back to her bedroom. She locked the door, barely able to wait another second before dialing Grace''s number.


    "Mom, you''re not going to believe this. Leslie''s case really is tied to Reese!"


    Grace was sitting on the couch, watching the maid carry her suitcase out to the car. She straightened up immediately. "Are you serious? What''s going on?"


    "Dad said it himself. Leslie getting arrested wasn''t some ident. Reese nned the whole thing." Sofia''s words came out in a rush as she repeated everything she''d overheard in the study. "The National Security Bureau only got the evidence because Reese was working behind the scenes. She''s basically being treated like a hero right now."


    For a second, Grace was stunned. Then a sly, satisfied smile crept across her face, and she let out a softugh, feeling all the tension of the night dissolve.


    Back then, she''d gone to Alex because she knew how much he loved his daughter. He''d agreed to her n just to make sure his daughter had a better future. If he found out now that it was Reese who had set his daughter up, everything would change.


    With the way Alex doted on Leslie, there was no way he wouldn''t hate Reese after this. He wouldn''t just refuse to testify for Reese. He might even help Grace take her down instead.


    All she had to do was find Alex and tell him what Reese did to Leslie. Without Alex as a witness, Reese could be as powerful as she wanted, but she''d never be able to dig up the past.


    "Mom?" Sofia''s voice broke through her thoughts.


    "I''m here," Grace replied, her tone lighter now that her n wasing together. "I''ll be at Bridger Lake tomorrow. We''ll talk more when I get there."


    Once she hung up, Grace went over to her vanity and looked at her reflection. Her makeup was wless, but her eyes had a sharp, almost dangerous glint.


    The next day, just before noon, Grace walked out of Bridger Lake International Airport.


    Sofia was already waiting at the VIP exit, driver by her side. As soon as Grace appeared, Sofia hurried over. "Mom, finally! You''re here!"


    Grace smiled, squeezed her daughter''s hand, and got into the car with her. She turned to the driver. had to leave in a rush and forgot a bunch of things Take us shopping first, then drop the luggage off ande back to pick us up."


    "Yes, ma''am."


    The driver took them out to a brand-new shopping center on the city''s edge, then left them there.


    Sofia looked around, a little lost. "Mom, what are we doing here?"


    Grace gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You''ll find out soon. You''re not a kid anymore. There are some things you need to know."


    She led Sofia inside and up to a private club on the top floor. When she opened the door to a private suite, two men were already waiting there the same ones who had been watching Alex.


    "Seth, did you find him?" Grace asked as she sat down on the sofa, pulling Sofia down next to her.


    "We have a lead," Seth said, nodding and handing her a folder with a respectful look.


    "Just like you told us, we focused on the people Reese has been aroundtely. We found out she and herwyer were near a cafest night. We checked the cameras around there and saw herwyer leave with a man who matches Alex''s build."


    "They left the cafe, drove out toward the suburbs, and went into a neighborhood called Serene Gardens."


    "We asked around. Security''s tight there. All visitors and cars have to register."


    Grace flipped through the photos and info in the folder, a cold little smile tugging at her lips. "Reese sure knows how to pick a hiding spot. That neighborhood is way out of the way, and nobody would think to took there. Perfect ce to stash someone."


    "What about now? Is Alex still inside?" she asked.


    Seth nodded. "He is. We''ve got people watching the area. So far, neither Alex nor George has left."