Page 92 of Wanted

“We are doing everything possible, right now she could be anywhere, we are monitoring airports, but it’s difficult to do it at train or bus stations. I’m sorry I don’t have any more information right now. You can be sure we’ll find her, it’s just a matter of time.”

Time, damn time. Stella is alone and could be hurt, away from me.

Not knowing what else to do, I decide to go for a walk. I need air before I fall apart.

I’m still wearing the same clothes for the party, my tuxedo pants and a white shirt, now without a bow tie and with the sleeves rolled up. I feel like the fabric has shrunk and squeezes my muscles, as if it became two sizes smaller in the course of the past few hours.

I walk slowly, going nowhere really, it’s past midnight and the town is a place I don’t know. This is a horrible and slow torture. I wish I could build a bridge to where she is and reach her.

I want to build a stronger foundation, contrary to what I did when we were in Los Angeles. So my decision is made, the first thing I have to do is talk to Lorraine, Stella’s mother. I have to start clearing the air, and it would also be good for her to be on my side, Stella will surely get in touch with her at some point.

“We’ve already located most of your wife’s family and friends, Mr. Kral,” Sanders tells me as soon as I enter the house. Mark is nowhere to be seen. “We’re organizing surveillance, in case your wife decides to seek refuge with them.”

I give him a somewhat distracted nod, I’m sure Stella has chosen another destination. My girl is smart, and a perfectionist. If she wants to hide, she won’t make it easy for us to find her.

When the sun comes through the window, I’m downright exhausted. I’ve hardly slept more than a few hours on the sofa, but I’m ready to continue with the plan that I’ve outlined for today.

Somehow Mark has managed to get me a suitcase with some clothes, so I take a long shower, the hot water is a blessing for my aching muscles. Especially the shoulder, which has started to bother me. None of this is important, I’ll go see my doctor when we return to Los Angeles, because I’m positive we will. Together.

My Stella and me.

My Hvezda. I miss you, baby.

Feeling a little more human, I get into the van they have arranged for me to use, accompanied by two security men, heading to my mother-in-law’s house.

Lorraine Lambert opens the door and stares at me with wide eyes, then a slow smile appears on her face.

“Mr. Kral,” she squeals, putting her hands to her chest and giving me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “What a wonderful surprise.”

Mr. Kral? Isn’t that a little too formal?

“Good morning,” I reply, not knowing how to refer to her. At the end of the day this is the first time we’ve seen each other. “And it’s Lionel.”

She smiles and I see relief in her eyes. She’s a mature version of my wife, the same blue eyes and slim build, although Stella is taller.

“Has Stella come with you?” she asks looking for her daughter as if she were hiding behind my body.

“I would like to talk to you about that. May I come in?”

Those words leave her breathless for a couple of minutes until she seems to compose herself and apologizes. She opens the door wider, inviting me to go into a small living room.

The house is old but well cared for, and like Stella’s place is meticulously clean and feels like home, you can feel a loving family lives here. There are pictures everywhere, the house smells of fresh coffee and something else. That makes me smile and the feeling of longing in my chest deepens. That’s what Stella did when she got to the cavern I lived in, turned it into a home.

Yes, I built it, but the one who gave it true meaning was her. Only her.

Lorraine, as she said I should call her, starts crying as soon as she hears the account of what has happened. From what I’ve discovered in the past few weeks.

“My daughter is innocent,” she cries, thick tears rolling down her cheeks. She does it in a heartbreaking way, I can’t help but imagine Stella doing the same. Damn, this isn’t getting any easier. “You can’t take her to jail, she’s done nothing wrong.”

She can be sure I feel the same, what I want is precisely to protect her. “I must find her, Lorraine, if they get to her first then I’m afraid something very bad may happen.”

“We should call Felicia,” she says, wiping her cheeks with the disposable handkerchief in her hands. “If Stella is going to contact someone, it will definitely be her. They are very close, you know?”

I’m proud to say that I know that about her. When we were together, all those days while I was recovering from my injuries we had time to talk, to get to know each other. I treasure each of those moments, they are precious to me. Since then I carry my wife burned into my soul. That’s the place where she belongs, because she has made it her home.

Felicia Lambert-Haralson is Stella’s father’s sister and a force of nature. As soon as she enters the house she glares at me. I’m positive my wife trusted her with the problems she had with me since the wedding. I know I’m not her favorite person in the world.

I start my story again, at one point Felicia gets up from her place on the sofa next to Lorraine to slap me.

---