Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1) Annette Anders (shoe dog free ebook TXT) 📖

“Stella? I want you to meet my friend Alexander,” Julia introduced in a firm but warm voice.

“Nice to meet you, Stella.” Alexander reached out and shook Stella’s hand, forcing her to turn his way. She was afraid to let David out of her sight and scolded herself for being so silly.

Stella guessed Alexander to be around fifty. His salt-and-pepper hair was cut short, and his dark eyes didn’t seem to miss a beat. He cut a striking figure in his well-cut business suit.

“As David said, he introduced himself, and we started talking about the latest development in the case,” Alexander said.

“What…what latest development?” Naomi whispered. She looked from Alexander to David with wide eyes.

“You must be Naomi,” Alexander said, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Naomi took his proffered hand, then asked, “So, what happened?”

“Well…” Alexander began, but David interrupted him. “Excuse me, can I make a suggestion?”

“Depends… I’m not sure I want to hear a word you have to say.” Naomi was obviously not done with him.

Stella wanted to tell her to shut up, but David was faster.

“Naomi, stop it!” he said in a clipped voice, then looked at Julia and said cordially, “Sorry, we haven’t met yet. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“Pfft…” came from Naomi’s direction.

He held out his hand to Julia and said, “David Danvers.”

“Oh, wow,” Julia looked from him to Stella and murmured, “That’s why he looks familiar.” She looked back to David, “I saw one of your shows in Denver a few years ago and loved it.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Great. The monthly fan club meeting has been opened. Now let’s move on to the next item on the agenda,” Naomi muttered.

“Really, Naomi, enough,” David said as a muscle rippled in his jaw. “I know I’m on your shit list, but for now, let’s be adults and find a way to get along. Whether you like it or not, I also consider Revan a friend of mine, and I want to help in any way I can.”

“Well, I don’t think even you can lure the kidnapper out of there by singing. But…” she held up a hand when Stella opened her mouth. “I agree it doesn’t help Rev if I’m acting like a bitch. But be warned, buddy, I’m saving it for later.”

Then she looked at Alexander, “Can you now please tell us what you’ve heard?”

“I suggest we go somewhere else. Since it’s clear none of you checked the news in the past two hours, let’s adjourn to a small, pleasant bistro where we can talk without being disturbed.”

“Why not now?” Naomi challenged him.

“I meant to suggest the same thing before I was interrupted,” David gave Naomi a pointed look.

“Alexander, I like your idea.” Julia took his arm and they began a quiet conversation as they walked ahead.

Stella, Naomi, and David fell in step behind them, with Stella in the middle. Stella’s heart pounded; she was hyperaware of David’s presence next to her. She was tempted to touch him to assure herself he wasn’t just a dream.

“Do you think there’s a story between those two? They look chummy,” Naomi asked her.

“Maybe. Let’s try to worm it out of her later, when we’re back in our room,” she answered, grateful for the distraction.

They followed a labyrinth of residential streets, smiled at children kicking a ball or riding their bikes, leaving the hubbub around the tourist attractions behind them, when Naomi cleared her throat several times.

Stella stopped walking. She was running out of patience. Today wasn’t the best day for Naomi to go on a vendetta.

“Is there something you want to say, Nam? Just spit it out.”

David leaned around her and rested his hand on her hip in a familiar gesture she’d missed.

“David,” Naomi croaked and cleared her throat once more. “I’m sorry I went off the way I did. It isn’t fair, and I know you really want to help us.”

“Don’t worry, Naomi,” David replied easily, giving Stella’s hip the hint of a squeeze. Both knew how hard the admission must’ve been for Naomi. “I’m sure we can manage to be civil to each other. And if you want to yell at me after Revan is safe, you and I will go somewhere alone, and you can let me have it.”

“Count on it! Because I have a lot more to say,” Naomi promised. She stepped around Stella and stood in front of him.

Then she hugged him and said in a low voice, “Man, you messed up big time.”

He said in a grave voice, “You’re not telling me anything new, Naomi.”

Julia and Alexander waited for them in front of the bistro, where guests sat outside under trees and colorful sun sails. The brutal heat was beginning to give way to a pleasant summer evening, and outdoor fans helped to circulate the air. Nevertheless, Alexander asked for a table inside, giving them some privacy.

None of them were very hungry, but they ordered a few appetizers to share and a carafe of their house wine.

“So, I think we’ve waited long enough. What did we miss?” Julia asked as soon as the waitress had left.

“Both women were released this afternoon,” Alexander said.

“And Rev?” Naomi asked. She slid around on her chair and played with the napkin in front of her.

“He’s still in there,” David said. “One of the women developed a health problem.”

“Were the women able to tell the police anything?” Stella asked.

“Nothing else has been released yet. I’m sure they’ll have a statement for the press later,” Alexander said. “There’s a TV on the wall. Let’s ask them to turn up the volume if something comes up.”

“Alexander, how can the Embassy help?” Julia asked.

“I’m sad to say, but there’s not much they can do,” he looked at Stella and Naomi first, then at Julia. “Their hands are tied as long as Revan is being held hostage. The Embassy staff’s job is mostly concerned with diplomatic matters, and right now the local authorities are in charge.”

Naomi said through her teeth, “Looks