An abandoned Southwark warehouse burns next door to a women-s shelter for victims of spousal abuse. Within it lies the charred corpse of a female body burned beyond all recognition. At the same time workers at Guy-s Hospital anxiously discuss the disappearance of a hospital administrator -- a beautiful emotionally fragile young woman who-s vanished without a trace.

And in an old dark rambling London house nine-year-old
Harriet-s awful fears won-t be silenced -- as she worries about her
feuding parents her schoolwork . . . and the strange woman who
is her only companion in this scary unfamiliar place.

Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid -- lovers and former partners -- have their own pressing concerns. But they must put aside private matters to investigate these disturbing cases. Yet neither Gemma nor Duncan realize how closely the cases are connected -- or how important their resolutions will be for an abducted young child who is frightened alone . . . and in serious peril.