The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

A strange sense of unease crept into Joshua's heart.

He immediately tried calling Stella.

No one picked up.

He dialed Abby's number. Same result.

Joshua tried again and again, but still, there was no answer.

That flicker of dread inside him grew stronger. He pulled up Candida Fletcher's number and called her.

Candida sounded surprised. "Aren't Stella and Abby in Sandford for the competition? Maybe you just can't reach them because it's late over there and they've already gone to bed?"

It was already 10 p.m. in Novaris-a perfectly reasonable time to be asleep.

Joshua asked, "Do you know which hotel they're staying at?"

"I'm not sure," Candida replied. "But I remember they mentioned going back to Neo-Vespera last time, and Abby said Foreman was in charge of arranging their Sandford itinerary. Maybe you should check with Mr. Richards?"

that," Joshua said, then hung

rang and rang, but no one answered. Eventually, the call disconnected on

Foreman wasn't answering either?

Joshua's expression darkened.

of them were together. He knew a bit about Foreman's feelings toward Stella, and there was no way Foreman would miss the opportunity to look after

Joshua decided to try

in his ear. Still no

he didn't keep calling them over and over. But with Foreman,

again. And again. He lost track of how

voice came through-tinged with a hint

where Stella and

his composure, he replied, "They should be

is picking up." Foreman sounded nonchalant. "Maybe they're in the shower, or asleep.

one who set up their hotel arrangements?" Joshua pressed. "Which hotel

their room for

a

resting. Are you trying

you think it's strange that I suddenly can't reach either of