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?"

do that," Joshua said, then hung

and rang, but no one answered. Eventually,

Foreman wasn't answering either?

Joshua's expression darkened.

bit about Foreman's feelings toward Stella, and there was no way Foreman would miss the

over, Joshua decided to

his ear. Still

Stella and Abby's rest, so he didn't keep calling them

again. And again. He lost track of how many times he tried before,

a hint of irritation. "Who is

to ask where Stella and Abby are." "Joshua?" For a

composure, he replied, "They should be

them is picking up." Foreman sounded nonchalant. "Maybe they're in

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

their room for

was a sudden

you trying to disturb them? Can't whatever you have to

eyes. "Don't you think it's strange that I suddenly can't reach either of them? Aren't