Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1) Read online

  “I can’t imagine they’ll let anybody near it,” Stella said.

  “Oh, I’m sure the entrance is guarded like the National Archives right now. But still...”

  “Don’t get in their way, and don’t give up hope.” Stella leaned over and gave her a hug. “Revan is tough. He’s never been the victim of a crime, but he’s been in some pretty scary situations and always keeps a cool head.”

  “I hope you’re right. But what if something happens to him?” Naomi’s voice shook, and Stella had no answer for her friend.

  Shortly before seven o’clock, a reporter’s familiar face showed up on the TV screen, and Alexander asked the owner to adjust the monitor and turn up the volume.

  “This is Leo Wu, and with me is Commissaire Charles Rousseau of the Police Judicaire. We received word of a change in the hostage situation. What can you tell us?”

  “Both female hostages, Dr. Marianne Caron and Dr. Claudine Bisset, were released today.” Rousseau was a man in his sixties with close-cropped gray hair. He looked exhausted and not thrilled with being interviewed.

  “Why did the kidnapper let the two women go?” Leo asked.

  “Dr. Caron developed serious health concerns. According to the IGC, she had no preexisting conditions, or she wouldn’t have had clearance to enter the caves. But either the prolonged exposure to the limestone or the combination of the humid climate and low temperatures caused her distress.” Rousseau spoke English with a heavy accent.

  “What’s the issue with limestone?” Leo interrupted.

  “The existence of limestone made those quarries the perfect place to deposit corpses in the eighteenth century, when the city’s cemeteries were overflowing, because it masks the stench of disposing bodies. Limestone is an alkaline product and contact with skin can result in abrasions ranging from mild irritation to bad burns, and if the dust is inhaled or swallowed, it can cause severe respiratory problems.”

  “When did Dr. Caron start having trouble?”

  “Yesterday. Dr. Bisset said the kidnapper at first believed Dr. Caron playacted when she developed breathing issues, but he realized today the situation was worse than he assumed and decided to let them go. He escorted the two women a short distance and then told them to keep walking without looking back.”

  “What about Mr. Forrester? Why didn’t he leave with the women? What’s his condition?”

  “According to Dr. Bisset, Mr. Forrester appeared to be in good health when they left. He was kept bound on his wrists and ankles with duct tape most of the time. When the kidnapper left with the women, he chained Mr. Forrester to stone columns or pipes.”

  “What a scumbag!” Naomi cried out. “To leave him all by himself!”

  Leo continued, “Were the women able to give more information about where they were held?”

  “For Mr. Forrester’s safety, I can’t comment. I assure you we’re doing everything we can.” Rousseau attempted a smile but didn’t quite manage one.

  Or maybe it’s just a twitch because he’s annoyed by Leo’s questions, Stella thought.

  “A source told us the kidnapper sent a note with the women in which he wrote ‘Don’t try to find us. Remember 2008.’ What does that mean?” Leo asked.

  “No comment.”

  “Come on, give me something.”

  “I’ve told you what I’m at liberty to divulge at this point. We still have an active hostage situation and will not risk anything that might threaten the safety of Mr. Forrester.” Rousseau looked around and nodded to someone out of the camera’s view.

  Naomi jumped up and walked around the table until she stood in front of the TV. “You were a little prick when you interviewed Kai, and you’re still the same little prick. Get it, Leo? They only tell you what they wanna tell you.”

  She sat back down with a sigh, and Julia put her arm around her shoulders.

  “Were the two women able to tell you how they survived without food or water for almost three days?” Leo didn’t give up.

  “Dr. Bisset confirmed they had access to bottled water and some food,” Rousseau said.

  “Where are the women now?”

  “Both will be monitored overnight at a hospital.”

  “One more question, Commissaire Rousseau. How far would the police be in their investigation if Mr. Olders and his friends hadn’t discovered this situation on Monday?” Leo challenged the policeman.

  “No comment,” Rousseau said with a bite in his voice and exchanged hand signals with someone.

  “Thank you, Commissaire Rousseau.” The reporter smiled into the camera, “This is Leo Wu, live from Paris, where the two female hostages were freed this afternoon.”

  “He’s unbearable,” Naomi said. She looked at Alexander, then David. “This morning, we watched a replay of his interview with Kai, and this Leo clown doesn’t care one bit about what’s really going on, it’s all about him.”

  “With the women out, we might hear more about Revan soon,” Stella said.

  Naomi shook her head. “They’ll go ’round and ’round about the two women. Which I understand, don’t get me wrong. I’m glad they’re out of there.”

  David asked, “Who’s this Kai? You’ve mentioned him a few times.”

  “The man Leo referred to, Mr. Olders. He stayed at the same hotel as we did last weekend, and we had drinks together. This is all a weird coincidence,” Stella explained.

  “Now I understand Naomi’s reactions earlier, when she got so mad during the interview,” David said.

  Naomi looked at Julia and Stella. “I think I’ll take a taxi back to the hotel. It’s been a long day, with a lot to digest. I need some time to think. What about you two?”

  “I’d like to spend a little more time with Alexander and catch up, but I won’t be too late. Why don’t I see you at the hotel, maybe in two hours or so?” Julia said. “We’ll stay here and take care of the bill.”

  “Okay, thanks. We’ll square up later,” Naomi said.

  Stella had often glanced at David while they were at the bistro, and he in return watched her. But they didn’t have a chance to talk.

  David’s hand inched toward hers but stopped halfway. “Give me an hour or two with you. I’ll walk you back to your hotel.”

  A walk sounded good. It meant spending time together without being completely alone with him. “Okay,” she agreed.

  David stood and looked at everyone at the table. “Please, let me settle the bill on my way out. No arguments!”

  Alexander nodded, “Thank you.”

  Stella met Naomi’s eyes and said, “I’ll meet you at the hotel, okay?”

  Naomi looked from David to Stella and said, “Be careful!”

  CHAPTER 26

  Stella—July 2018

  “T

  hank you for walking with me, Stella,” David said after they left the bistro and strolled back through the same streets as earlier. “You have no idea what it means for me to see you in person.”

  Yeah, I think I do, she thought, but didn’t say anything. She wasn’t ready to bring up their personal issues.

  They passed the American Embassy and continued in the direction of the Tuileries Garden.

  “I’ve spent a lot of time in this park in the past few days.” David said, and shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.

  “It’s a beautiful park,” Stella said. “And so many people are still out for a walk or letting their children run off some energy. I wouldn’t want to live in a city the size of Paris, but if I had no choice, I’d like to be near a park. The way your apartment in Chicago is so close to Grant Park.”

  “I often think back to going there with you and sitting at Buckingham Fountain,” David said. He ran a hand over his head. “Stella, listen, I don’t know where to start, but there’s so much I have to say to you.”

  Did he just say he thought about her? “We need to talk, there’s no doubt, but not now. Not here.”

&n
bsp; She felt David’s hand close to hers and pulled away, reaching for her purse strap, although it didn’t need adjusting. What if she took his hand? Would it be like holding out the proverbial olive branch?

  “How long are you staying in Paris?” she asked.

  “I go back to London on Saturday.”

  “London, wow. Aren’t you needed there now? No performances?”

  “My understudies fill in for me. You know I rarely use them, but this is—you are—more important than the show.”

  “What production are you in?” she asked, his last words still ringing in her ears.

  “You’ll laugh—the Phantom.”

  “Why should I laugh? The musical is still such a huge worldwide success after more than thirty years, it’s amazing,” Stella said. “What were you doing here in Paris?”

  “I auditioned for Don Giovanni. When you saw me at the Opera House, Aaron and I had just been on a tour of the theater. Auditions were on Monday and Tuesday.”

  “Did you get the role?”

  “Yes. I signed the papers yesterday to sing here in the spring,” he said.

  “How wonderful for you. Congratulations.” Stella smiled and stopped walking. She was happy for him and his successes. “I remember you telling me once how it can be difficult for Americans to get contracts in Europe, and you’ve been here for eighteen months now. You made it!”

  He winced. “Thank you…” She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.

  “Are you looking forward to performing in Paris?” She asked while she followed him to a bench.

  “Yes, I’m looking forward to it, but...”

  Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “David, are you happy?”

  He sighed deeply and patted the bench next to him, inviting her to sit, which she did. “It’s a question I’ve asked myself very often. One I don’t have an answer for, to be honest.”

  Stella regretted asking him. She shouldn’t care whether he was happy or not, and she didn’t want to feel sorry for him.

  “How are your parents doing? How’s Sabrina?” She hoped it was safer territory to ask about his family.

  “They’re doing well, thank you for asking.”

  Stella folded her hands in her lap. Their conversation seemed so…stilted and superficial, and it pained her.

  Is this what’s left of us?

  David leaned back and linked his hands behind his head, then sat up again and rested his forearms on his knees. “Dad’s still with United, but says he wouldn’t mind a golden handshake. Mom has cut down on her teaching at the High School for the Arts. She wants them to travel more while they’re still healthy.”

  “Oh, my. Can you imagine your parents being around each other all the time?” Stella liked them both, but couldn’t picture them in retirement.

  “No. I see Dad signing up for adult history classes at some college in Chicago, and Mom accepting a volunteer job somewhere teaching little kids early dance steps. And Mom’s also dropping hints about grandbabies, in general aimed at Sabrina. She’s telling her not to wait till they’re too old and weak to hold a baby.”

  Stella laughed, “Old and weak is not how I see them anytime soon. Does Sabrina have a serious boyfriend now?”

  “From what I hear, she’s still in her on again-off again relationship with Kyle. She threatened Mom and Dad that she wouldn’t come home anymore if they don’t stop the emotional blackmail. I have a feeling she’s putting on a show, and would like a commitment from Kyle, but I’m staying out of it.”

  David turned to look at her. “What about your parents and Luca? What are they up to?”

  “They’re doing fine. Dad still teaches Math at UPenn, and Mom still works for Innovative Rehab. Luca doesn’t have a lot of time to come home and visit, and Mom and Dad miss seeing him. I think they still hope he’ll come back to Philadelphia and settle down.”

  She kept her eyes on the fountain while she talked, but could feel David watching her. She wanted to slide closer to him, but her head told her to stay where she was. When she looked at him, his eyes mirrored the same longing she felt.

  “Oh, God, Stella,” he said and reached out to brush the backs of his fingers over the side of her face. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here with you.” He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know yet. I assume Naomi will have a battle plan worked out by the time I get to the hotel. You know her. She needs action. Being passive and waiting for others to act is hard for her. Which reminds me, I should get back.”

  “What’s the address? I’ll pull up the directions,” he asked. “Or would you like me to call a taxi?”

  “I’d like to walk, and I have a basic idea where we need to go,” she pointed toward the Louvre looming in the not-too-far distance. “This way, then take a right and across the Seine.”

  They walked side by side, both lost in thoughts, when David asked, “Can I see you tomorrow?”

  “You must have other things to do,” she glanced at him.

  “Stella, the most important thing for me is to be there for you,” he repeated his earlier statement.

  “Thank you. How ’bout if I text you after breakfast? Naomi might complain, but I think, deep down, she’s grateful for your support.”

  They had left the park and stood in front of the glass pyramid. “Julia and I talked about visiting the Louvre. I mean, we have tons of time, but it just feels wrong to go sightseeing while Revan is in danger.”

  Talking about Revan brought back the reality of why they were here. This wasn’t some random picking-up-where-we-left-off, and it wasn’t about her and David. She tried to blink away the tears puddling in her eyes, but a few managed to roll down her face.

  He reached out and rubbed them away with his thumb, every nerve in her body responding to the feel of his skin on hers. She stepped a little closer and could smell his aftershave. He must have showered and shaved before meeting them, because she couldn’t see the usual stubble on his chin.

  David continued his gentle caresses of her face and said, “You need to distract yourselves. We can check the news online throughout the day. If there’s any new development, we’ll hear about it. Or Alexander can let us know.”

  Stella noticed how he said, we’ll hear about it. Not, you’ll hear about it. It was reassuring, yet there was no we anymore. Best to ignore his slip.

  She stepped away from him, out of the reach of his touch. “I’ll ask Julia if she can arrange it.”

  Crossing Pont Royal, they passed an accordionist sitting on a three-legged stool, playing a soulful melody. Stella stopped walking and looked up and down the river.

  “Naomi and I went on a boat tour last Sunday and came by here. You know, I never thought I’d like Paris as much as I do.”

  David reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. He pulled her closer and sang a few lines, in perfect harmony with the musician. The old man smiled at them and nodded.

  She wanted to scream, “What are you doing to me?” But she remained silent. She’d figure it out later.

  And she’d never listen to “La Vie en Rose” again without remembering this moment.

  David pulled change out of his pocket and dropped a few euros into the man’s tin bowl. Still holding hands, they continued walking in silence until Stella pointed with her free hand and said, “There’s our hotel. Thank you for walking me home—well, not home, but here.”

  “Stella, please call me first thing in the morning,” he said in a pleading voice, then pulled her into his arms and brushed his lips to the top of her head.

  She closed her eyes and didn’t want to let go of him. The comfortable familiarity between them wasn’t lost on her, and she wanted to bask in it for the short time they had.

  Stella nodded, “Bye, David. See you tomorrow.”

  Without looking back, she walked into the lobby, and spotted Naomi sitting at the
bar, deep in an animated conversation with—Kai.

  What is he doing here? And didn’t she say she was tired and needed time to think? Stella shook off her confusion and joined them.

  “Well, this is a surprise. What brings you here, Kai?”

  “Hi, Stella.” Kai stood and hugged her.

  “You won’t believe it, but listen to this!” Naomi said in a cheerful voice. “On my way back to the hotel, I walked past the entrance to the catacombs...”

  Stella interrupted her and laughed. “Nice try, but to get to the catacombs from the bistro, you had to walk past our hotel, and probably keep walking for another ten minutes. Mmm-hm…Don’t give me that look. You did not just happen to walk by, you went there on purpose. You probably took a taxi from the bistro and got dropped off right there!”

  “Yeah, well…anyhow,” Naomi waved her hand, “it doesn’t matter how I ended up there. But who do you think I ran into? Ta-da…” Naomi pointed to Kai. “The man who was face-to-face with the kidnapper!” Naomi copied Leo’s voice.

  Kai grinned at Stella and said, “Your friend is fierce when she wants something.”

  Stella rolled her eyes. “Tell me something new. But isn’t the area packed with police and news crews? How did you find each other?”

  “I went there because I had nothing better to do, when I heard a commotion and saw a tall woman arguing with one of the cops.” Kai gave Naomi a stern look, then continued, “As soon as I recognized Naomi, I tried to pull her away before she was arrested. I don’t know what she told the poor guy, but he looked like he was running out of patience.”

  “It doesn’t matter, I was ready for step two,” Naomi said.

  “What’s step two?” Kai asked.

  “It involves a lot of crying,” Stella explained.

  Kai laughed and said, “Is there a step three?”

  “Don’t ask,” Stella grinned. “So, what else is going on?”

  “I just told Naomi about the interview with this Leo guy. Oh man, I didn’t want to be there, but he kept pushing his microphone in my face.”

  “Oh, right! I guess you got more than you signed up for. Weren’t you scared?”