I walked into my dad’s hotel gala and heard my stepmother snap, “Security, remove her.” I left without saying a word, then quietly

walls smelled faintly of citrus cleaner and coffee.

Janice Bell was waiting there in her housekeeping uniform.

“Mara?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She studied my face for a long second, then pulled me into a brief, fierce hug.

“You look like Laura,” she said.

I almost lost control.

“Thank you.”

We spent the next four hours inside the hotel.

Dana reviewed staffing schedules.continue reading …