The room went absolutely silent, everyone's attention focused on the speakerphone.
"Where is she?" Richard demanded. "Is she safe? Who has her?"
"Dakota Winters left her sister's engagement party last night of her own free will," the voice continued, ignoring Richard's questions with maddening composure. "She contacted friends at her university and indicated she needed time away from family obligations. She's traveling for the foreseeable future and does not wish to be disturbed or located."
"That's not.... she wouldn't...." Maya started, but Richard held up a hand for silence.
"I don't believe that for a second," Richard said into the phone, his voice dangerous. "My daughter wouldn't just leave without telling anyone. She wouldn't disappear after what happened last time. Who are you and how do you really know where Dakota is?"
