Trudeau shook his head. “Parents, but they’re deceased.”

“Any other contacts?”

“Yes,” Trudeau said, scrolling down the page. “A sister. Address in New York State.”

“Want me to make the call?”

“No. Let’s run it one more time to be sure. Start to finish. If it hits a second time, I’ll give her a call.”

“First one in how long, boss?”

Dr. Trudeau looked over at the young technician. “Years. Now run it again.”

PART I - The Sting

PART I

The Sting

CHAPTER 1 - Los Angeles, CA Friday, May 14, 2021

CHAPTER 1

Los Angeles, CA Friday, May 14, 2021

AVERY MASON WAS NOT LOOKING FOR FAME. WITH A GRAVEYARD OF secrets in her past, fame was the last thing she needed. Still, she had found it. Whether this had been by accident or with intent was a question that only counseling could answer. It would require a deep dive into her tumultuous upbringing, an examination of her complicated relationship with her father, and some honest soul-searching and self-reflection—none of which Avery had time for. Because however it came to be, what Avery knew for certain about fame was that it arrived like a colossal wave rolling toward shore. You either rode it, or let it drown you. She chose to ride it, and in spectacular fashion.

Avery Mason was thirty-two years old and the youngest woman to ever anchor American Events, the most popular prime-time newsmagazine program on television. Her ascension to the top of the ratings was improbable, statistically unheard of, and something Avery never expected. Mack Carter had been the long-running and popular host of American Events. His death the year before while on assignment covering the Westmont Prep slaughters had rattled the television news industry. It also produced a vacancy at the top of American Events. In a panic, the network tapped Avery to fill Mack’s massive shoes until a more permanent anchor could be found. As a frequent contributor to the show, Avery’s segments had consistently earned high ratings. So high, in fact, that she was named as the first co-host in the show’s storied history. Avery had held that position for exactly one month before Mack Carter died. Thrust into the hottest of spotlights and widely expected to fail, Avery Mason had stepped into the lead anchor role the previous fall and killed it. American Events not only stayed at the top of the ratings, but the audience grew by 20 percent.