Montmartre at Dawn
The initial chapter of Trap sets a menacing tone, then hands the story off to its principal character, American Interpol agent Nicki Foster. The end of the second chapter has Nicki driving to the first arson. The book pauses for a moment to describe the beauty of Paris, then reminds us that Nicki is in a lot of danger.
Spiralling
Downward
Creepy is the only word for the mythical Paris Archives used in this book. No one would enjoy descending these rusting iron stairs to enter an abandoned limestone quarry. This mine once created huge stone blocks for luxury townhouses lining Parisian boulevards. Now the cavern houses a mammoth library of important documents. Nicki has no choice but to spiral downward into this subterranean world. She needs help from the ruler of the Archives, Diane St. Remy. But whose side is Diane on? Certainly it isn't Nicki's.
Sidewalk
Poison
Nicki is partnered at Interpol with Pierre Corday, a veteran of many years on the streets of Paris. He ought to support her, and he does, in his own unique way. After a tough meeting with the City Commissioner of Paris, Pierre offers to buy Nicki a drink. “Nicki, we should talk. There are things I need to tell you. I have some important information to give you. Let’s have a drink. I’ll buy, eh?” But what Pierre has to say is what Nicki fears the most.
Finding the Key
To stay alive, Nicki and Fire Captain Paul Denis race to solve a puzzle leading to an immense fortune. The key to this puzzle lies hidden in an underground grotto, a small cave once used as a conference room for the Paris Archives. Nicki and Paul have a lot of incentive to find this key. Should they lose the race to solve the puzzle, a flashover fire will burn them alive, leaving only an x-ray of their bones behind.
The Spectacle of Paris
at Night
Breaking this case means Nicki has to take a big risk. She must accept a rendezvous with Taylor Hansen at one of the most expensive hotels in the world, the Regis. Hansen staying at the Regis is another sign of the immense fortune behind a series of arsons killing firefighters and terrifying Paris. After Taylor Hansen calls her at home, Nicki drives across Paris in the early morning hours, not knowing what to expect. Is it sex Hansen wants – or is he luring Nicki into a trap?