egular print version previously published by Kensington Publishing Corp.

ncludes authors note with background information.

"When D.C. crime scene analyst Dr. Ellie Carr is called to investigate the heartrending case of a missing baby, shes shocked to discover that the childs mother is her own cousin. Close during their impoverished childhoods, Ellie and Rebecca eventually drifted apart. Rebecca is now half of a Washington power couple, and she and her wealthy lobbyist husband, Hunter, have been living a charmed life in an opulent mansion -- until their infant son is taken. Every contact leaves a trace. Thats the basic principle of forensic science followed by pathologist Dr. Rachael Davies. A reluctant Ellie is teamed with Rachael, employed by Hunter to help with the investigation. But in this case, discovering where those traces lead quickly becomes a dangerous journey through a web of greed and deadly ambition. At first antagonists, then allies, Ellie and Rachael race to find the baby alive and bring the kidnappers to justice. What seemed like a simple ransom grab reveals links to a lobbying effort to loosen regulations on a billion-dollar gaming empire. Unless they can piece together the evidence before the Senate hearing, Rebeccas son -- and others like him -- will face an unthinkable fate . . ."-- Provided by publisher.