Claire was awoken by a jolt, and the stench of diesel mixed with the salty, damp smell made her feel nauseous. The pungent odor of ether still lingered on her nostrils.
She had come to the docks following the address Alan had sent her, but after waiting for what seemed like forever without any sign of him, she noticed a group of people herding a few girls onto a boat, and she immediately sensed danger.
Just as she tried to flee, someone grabbed her and pressed a cloth soaked in ether against her nose. She quickly lost consciousness.
Before passing out, she vaguely heard someone confirming her identity. So, she had been lured there!
Claire began replaying Alan's earlier messages in her head, feeling a surge of foolishness. Alan always traveled with bodyguards, and the Anderson family wa
