Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Clayton groggily woke to the sound of his phone ringing. "What's going on?"

"Betty's gone!"

Clayton's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. He sat up in shock. "Gone? But wasn't she at the cabin in the woods? How could she just vanish?!"

"Late last night, a wildfire broke out. It wasn't until dawn that they managed to put it out, and that's when they realized Betty was missing."

Clayton's breathing grew heavy. "Missing, or...?"

"She's missing. They got her out of there when the fire started. She wasn't hurt."

Clayton let out a sigh of relief.

"That's good she's not hurt. First, let's call the authorities, then organize a search party!"

After hanging up, Clayton carefully slid out of bed, trying not to wake Pamela who was still asleep.

He took his phone to the bathroom to continue making calls.

He called his mother's personal assistant, the local church, and the security guard he had stationed at the cabin.

calls, there was still no word

Carl, but got

change and head out when his phone rang.

friend of Clayton's father. Clayton quickly answered, "Hello,

do you have a moment? I need to

her. Can we talk over the phone, or can it wait until

your mother's situation. She

Clayton paused, "Recently? Today?"

Let's talk when you get

ended,

the woods not long after Irene disappeared, turning her back on worldly matters and devoting herself to prayer and meditation for her

been years since she last left the

suddenly go to the

quickly changed into fresh clothes and rushed

hour later, Clayton arrived at the

Albert was there, but Florian

Though they had no business dealings with the Hawkins Group,

to help him. After Randal passed, Clayton continued to look out for them. Though the Watson and

and Florian were advanced in age, with limited influence

greeted the elderly

nodded, motioning for