Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

For a long moment, Hannah broke the silence, "Ever since we met Fidelia, I've been curious about Camilla's business trip. I kept in touch with Fidelia, sending her messages now and then, probing to see if Camilla had returned. She told me Camilla got back yesterday afternoon. So, I asked if Camilla brought any gifts back this time. And Fidelia shot back with this."

Pacing back and forth, I mulled over Camilla's behavior, unable to fathom a reasonable explanation.

"Did you guys have someone look into Camilla the day before yesterday?" I asked Hannah, looking up.

"Exactly." Hannah nodded, "So, I thought I'd try to learn a bit more about her from the sidelines."

I quickly phoned Logan, asking where he was.

He said he was out running some errands and was on his way back.

"All right, I'm at Serene Garden Homes. We'll talk when you're back."

After hanging up, I exchanged a glance with Hannah and then headed downstairs.

In less than ten minutes, Logan arrived back with Ronan.

Ronan, looking at me, inquired, "Something up?"

I quickly brought up the gift from Fidelia, prompting Hannah to show Logan the photo of the boat model. He examined it closely before passing the phone to Ronan. Ronan, too, scrutinized the image after enlarging it.

I said, full of doubts, "Could she have really gone to Silverdale City this time? But she just came back from there. This feels so intriguing. If she had business in Silverdale City, why didn't she take care of it during her last trip?"

Ronan told Logan, "Check the airline passenger lists, confirm if she actually went to Silverdale City."

Logan asked me about the rough dates of Camilla's business trip. Then he immediately made a call to check the lists.

While we waited for news, I briefed Ronan on yesterday's meeting with Geneva.

Ronan handed me a report, saying Geneva's blood sample came back clear, and there was no virus infection.

I patted my chest in relief, murmuring a silent prayer of thanks, "That's a weight off my shoulders."

But Ronan's face was grave, and he said, "We need to resolve Geneva's situation properly, and it's a ticking time bomb. We can't have any slip-ups with Noah's lead, or it might scare off the big shot behind him. If he goes to ground, who knows how long we'll be waiting."

"I've already laid the groundwork for a believable explanation, told her Logan would look into Noah. Geneva will want to know the outcome, so we'll reveal it and then, soften the blow I relayed my strategy to Ronan.

Ronan's eyes showed approval, but he firmly added, "We can't delay this matter for too long, to avoid any unforeseen complications."

His words sent the anxiety spiking back up in me.

Just then, Logan's phone rang, drawing our collective attention.

veliose

He answered swiftly, putting it on speaker, and we heard the voice on the other end say, "Checked thoroughly, and there's no flight record for Camilla."

Hannah and I exclaimed in unison, bewildered, "None?"

Logan uttered a terse Okay and ended the call.

Hannah and I locked eyes, sharing a mutual disappointment at the outcome.

Had we misjudged the situation? I couldn't shake the feeling of discontent.

I dialed Catherine directly, and she picked up immediately, "Darling, missing me?"

I rolled my eyes in feigned disgust, "Cut the sweet talk. Are you on Oldtown Avenue?"

"Yep, I'm here." came Catherine's prompt reply.

"I'm going to send you a picture.

Once you get it, find the object in the

photo on Oldtown Avenue. Ask the vendor where else this handcrafted boat model is sold, and where else can it be found?"

Catherine was quick on the uptake, "Send it over, I'm on it."

I reiterated, "Make sure the model you find is identical to the one in the picture, especially the small logo on it. That logo has to match."

Catherine confirmed with an okay.

As I hung up, Hannah had already sent the picture.

Hannah looked at me, a hint of doubt in her voice, "Could we have been wrong?"

"We'll know once Catherine finds that model shop," I reassured her, "Being patient."

Logan, deep in thought, tapped his long fingers on the table, then suddenly stopped and said, "There's another possibility."