Part 1, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 Summary

Two individuals, known as The Couple, watch their target for the day -codename "Mom"-as she shops in trendy Buckhead. The target's real name is Mrs. Elizabeth Connolly, a thirty-seven year-old mother of three girls whose degree in art history makes her even more desirable to her buyer, who has purchased her for $150,000.

Lizzie Connolly is unaware of danger as she tries to remember everything for her daughter's birthday party. After completing her shopping, she heads to her Mercedes station wagon in the parking garage. A passing woman grabs her around the chest. Lizzie screams her loudest, but the woman and her male cohort lift her into her own car, putting a foul-smelling cloth over her mouth. The man comments on her sex appeal, saying that he understands why the Wolf is interested. The Couple's job is complete.

Alex Cross has...