Page 93 of The Safest Place She Knows

“Oh, I am. So,you are going to come and stay with me until this passes?”

“I don’t thinkit’s going to pass if it is what I think it is.”

Lya looked ather. “What do you think it is? How long will this take?”

“Nine months orso.” Zelle was sheepish.

“Oh. Oh, boy.Well, I have experience with this.”

Zelle nodded.“I remember.”

They werewaiting for the landing, and Lya whispered, “Oh, honey. Why?”

Zelle shrugged.“He was really pretty. He was just what I needed.”

“I am glad yougot what you needed. Now, I am going to try and get you throughthis. If it gets too bad, you will have to find him.”

“I know. I havea few ideas on how to do that. Fortunately, my two hunters on theshow are connected to him, which means the show is connected tohim.”

“How do youknow?”

“My sense ofsmell is astonishingly sensitive. They had been near him. His scentis distinctive.”

“And he’spretty.”

Zelle leaned onher cousin’s shoulder. “He’s beautiful.”

Lya smiled, andthey sat together for the last half hour of the flight.

One month ofpain and exhaustion later, Zelle sat in the garage apartment andtold her cousin, “I don’t think I can handle this. I got throughthe show promo stuff, but now, I am done.”

Lya looked ather and nodded. “Who do you want me to call?”

“I’ve got it. Ijust wanted to let you know I was going.”

Lya hugged her.“Good luck, and when you stabilize, we can go out for a fruit salador something.”

Zelle smiledand hugged her back. “I will call you as soon as things settle ifhe is even still in town.”

When Lya left,Zelle called Ford. “Uh, hello, Ford. Sorry to disturb you. Oh. It’sZelle.”

“Zelle! Wow.I was hoping to talk to you after the promo stuff was shot. One ofthe executives was asking about you. Normally, I wouldn’t beinvolved, but he knew you would get in touch.”

“Um, yes. Washe a tall fellow, dark shiny hair, and golden eyes?”

“That’s theone. His name is Kaiyun Feng.”

“Why is thatname familiar?”

“You willfigure it out. Do you want to get in touch with him?”

“Yes, please.The sooner, the better.”

“I can givehim your number?”

“Yup. I willstay by the phone.”

“Okay. Letme know if he doesn’t call within the hour.”

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