Holden's mind ventured elsewhere, prompting him to ask, "Aside from the two of you, has Adele had any recent interactions with anyone else?"

Sadie had just managed to soothe her frayed nerves when a fresh wave of panic surged within her. The annoying face of Ariana floated into her thoughts.

The mere thought of Ariana sharing even a fleeting moment with Adele ignited a wildfire of anxiety within her. A deluge of conjectures filled her thoughts.

Could it be that Holden had unearthed and remembered a revelation from his past?

Or had that wily woman purposefully Left a trace on the child to get Holden's attention?