Page 91 of Love Finds Home

“Can I ask you something? Will you be honest with me?”

“Always. I’ll always tell you anything you want to know.”

“Did you destroy my studio?”

“No!” he answers adamantly. “It was her!”

“Your sister?”

“Stefanie. It was her! She was so upset that you were back.”

“Did she change her name and try to submit something for the show?”

He cackles. Open mouth, head thrown back. I share a wide-eyed look with Ginny, who shrugs her shoulders.

“I knew that would never fool you!” He points at me. “You’re too good to be fooled. I told her I’d go with her and pretend to be her agent. But you’re too good. And so’s your friend. He knew right away it wasn’t good enough, but he promised to send it to you for final approval.”

“Is that why she did it?”

“I think so.” He nods his head. “But I caught her, and she won’t ever do that again. I made sure of it.”

“What did you do, Stefon?” I timidly ask, already dreading the answer.

He averts his eyes, shaking his head. “I don’t want to tell you. You’ll be mad at me.”

“I promise I won’t be mad. Will you tell me now?”

“She’s hidden.”

“Where is she hidden?”

“At your gallery. She’s hidden and you haven’t found her yet.”

I recoil in fear before I can help it, and he stands up, swaying as the alcohol fully hits. “I told you! I knew you’d be mad!” he cries, fisting his hair and pacing.

“No! No, I’m not mad! I promise. I’m just sad that she’s been there and no one’s found her. We should tell someone where she is so they can help her get out. Please?”

“Once you’re home with me, then we can tell them.”

“Okay, Stefon. Okay. You want to go home?”

“With you.”

“Yes, yes, with me.” I’m repeating words. I’m out of my element here. I don’t know what I’m agreeing to, only that I’ll say and do whatever I have to in order to calm him down.

“You have to do something first. So I know that man who thinks he’s with you will leave us alone and call his bullies off. They’ve been outside my home watching me.”

“Is that why you’re wearing the wig?” I ask.

“I had to!” he defends himself loudly. “They were watching. I just told you that! I couldn’t come see you because they were watching. And my friend. He told me about you and that you don’t like the dark,” he points to Ginny. “But my friend, the one who used to give special things to my sister? Well, he shared with me. And in an amazing moment of clarity, I knew what I had to do. Did you know you can get wigs delivered?”

He’s switching gears on me so fast, I don’t know which way to lean. “What do you need me to do, Stefon?”

“You’re going to call that man and tell him you’re no longer his. Call him now, please. So we can go home and go to bed. I’ve had a very long day and would like to go to sleep.”

“You want me to call…?”

“Yes. Call him now. And tell him exactly what I tell you to.”

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