Page 55 of Sven

“Hello.”

“Sven, I just wanted to give you an update on what I found.”

“Okay.”

“Unfortunately, we are having a hard time tracking her down. We found your car, but there is no sign of Stacie.”

“Okay, I’m meeting with my lawyer today. I’ll see what he thinks.”

“Okay, I’ll find her. I’m also watching some online marketing to see if she plans on selling any of the memorabilia. I’m confident we will find her.”

“Okay, well keep me posted,” he said as he ran his hand through his hair.

“Will do.”

Sven put his phone back down on the table. His lawyer would be there in about an hour. He was ready for this mess to be over.

20

Natalie

Natalie was at The Spot waiting for Sydney. It was nice that Alice had introduced her this coffee shop and even nicer that it was only three blocks from the hospital. She had been trying to connect with Sydney, but they kept missing each other. Residency was keeping her busy.

Natalie sat at a table with a chocolate croissant and vanilla latte and waited.

Her phone buzzed on the table. When she picked it up, she saw a video of Winnie crawling around with a hockey stick. It reminded her of those puppy videos where they were carrying around sticks that were entirely too big for them.

Sven: She’s a natural

She grinned down at her phone.

“What’s got you smiling like that?”

She glanced up from her phone to see Sydney shaking the rain out of her hair.

“Sven just sent me a cute video of Winnie.”

“So, how are things going with him?”

“What do you mean? I just work for him. That’s it.”

Sydney cocked her head. “Yeah, I was asking about the job ... until now. Is there something going on between you two?”

Natalie lowered her head into her hand and groaned. “No... I don’t know... Things are weird.”

“Weird how?” Sydney asked before blowing on her coffee and taking a careful sip.

“I don’t know. I’m sure I’m making something out of nothing. He’s just so hot, and I keep making a fool out of myself. Like, I literally walked into a beam in his basement and gave myself a bloody nose because he had his shirt off... but enough about me. How’s the hospital?”

“Whoa,” Sydney said, holding up her hands. “I’m going to need you to rewind a minute and fill me in.”

And so she filled her in on everything.

“So, you like him, then?”

“Yes... no... I don’t know. I mean I do, but I’m just not sure if it’s a good idea.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

---