Chapter 2

Around noon the next day, the door to my motel room was suddenly kicked open.

Nolan barged in with several burly men behind him, holding up his phone as he livestreamed the whole thing.

"Found her! Guys, I found this heartless monster!"

Nolan shouted excitedly into the camera.

"Look at her! She's hiding out in this filthy dump, taking it easy!"

"Mr. Halston's son is being tormented by his kidnappers right now, and she's hiding here like a coward!"

The live chat went wild. Comments poured in as animated gifts flashed across the screen.

[Beat her up!]

[Drop a huge gift and tell the streamer to slap her twice!]

Valerie stepped out from behind Nolan with a smug smile.

"Mara, look at you. You're hiding from everyone like you're public enemy number one."

"Mr. Halston says the offer still stands. Five hundred million dollars if you cooperate."

"Just tell us where the boy is. We'll handle the rest."

I gave her a mocking smile.

"Valerie, if you want that money so badly, why don't you find him yourself?"

Her smile froze.

"You know we don't have your gift! You're the only one who can sense where he is!"

I stood and brushed the dust from my pants.

"Then let me say this one more time."

"Anyone who takes this job is as good as dead."

"If you don't believe me, go ahead and try."

Nolan spat to the side.

"Quit trying to scare us with that psychic crap!"

"You're just holding out for more money!"

"You really think no one can see through your dirty little scheme?"

Still shouting, he turned his phone around and shoved the screen toward me.

A group video call filled the screen.

Grant sat in the back of a stretch Rolls-Royce. His face was tense, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Ms. Ellison, you've pushed this far enough."

Grant's voice was low and commanding, leaving no room for argument.

"Five hundred million dollars is already an astronomical amount. That kind of money will set your family up for generations."

Nolan waved the phone excitedly.

"You hear that, Mara? Five hundred million!"

"You couldn't make that kind of money in this lifetime, the next, or the one after that!"

Valerie sighed too.

"Mara, listen to me. Just tell us where the boy is."

"Whatever you do, don't turn down that kind of money."

I scoffed and said nothing.

Just then, a woman suddenly appeared beside Grant on the screen.

It was Grant's wife, Cynthia Halston.

She was normally polished and glamorous. Now her hair was disheveled, and she looked completely distraught.

She dropped to her knees in the back of the car. The camera shook violently.

Cynthia clasped her hands together and begged into the camera.

"Ms. Ellison, please! Please save my son!"

"Eli is only eight years old. He can't die!"

"Just tell me where he is. I'll pray for you every day for the rest of my life!"

She was sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

Watching the desperate mother on the screen, I felt a flicker of sympathy.

A mother's love was a powerful thing.

Then I remembered what I'd seen through my psychic gift the night before.

I closed my eyes and steeled myself.

"I can't tell you where the boy is."

"No matter how much money you offer me, I won't tell you."

Cynthia's sobs died in her throat.

All the color drained from her face, and she slumped onto the floor.

Grant's gaze darkened.

"Mara Ellison, do you really want to do this the hard way?"

Nolan was practically beside himself. He shoved the phone right into my face.

"Everyone, look! This is the hero you all praised for bringing missing kids home!"

"Mrs. Halston is on her knees begging her, and Mara doesn't even blink!"

"Someone this heartless doesn't deserve to live!"

The livestream chat exploded.

[Mara Ellison is disgusting. I swear, I want to slap her myself!]

[Five hundred million and she still won't help? Who does she think she is, God?]

[Dox her! Find her family's address and make every last one of them answer for this!]