When Lucy Mears is abducted her mother, a self-made wealthy business woman, expects a ransom demand. Weeks go by and no such demand materialises causing alarms bells to ring for Lucy's family and friends. The investigators soon realise that normal criminal motives have been replaced by worrying and potentially much more sinister intent. Attention changes rapidly from one potential suspect to another. Current and former employees of Mears Empire, the Mears household staff, Lucy's music tutor, and even complete strangers all become the focus of the investigation at various times, but the perpetrator remains undetected. The terrified girl and her strange captors encounter countless difficulties and unimaginable dangers as they journey across the United States to their ultimate destination where their mysterious purpose is finally revealed.