“It’s exactly what I think. Where was Gaston? Why wasn’t he with you?” There was the same edge to his voice that she’d heard from Audrey.

“He was shopping for paintings today. And I’m not a child, Ben.”

“You’re not a child, but you might be in possession of a valuable painting. Maybe the woman was after that?”

It hadn’t occurred to her that it might be the painting that had spurred the woman to follow her. Barrow might have told someone about it and how much it was worth. It might be worth kidnapping Lara for. More than likely, though, it was the powerful woman she’d been warned about. There was no point in giving Ben that piece of information. He’d think she was crazy since the warning came from a circus fortune-teller. Either that, or he’d insist she get the next flight home. And she wasn’t going home just yet.

“Promise me you won’t be wandering the streets of Paris alone tomorrow.” He was silent like he was piecing something together.

“I promise no more wandering around Paris unchaperoned.” She twisted the cord of the old phone. “Anything going on back home?”

“The Washington Post is sending a reporter tomorrow to do a story on Todd’s and Peter’s disappearances. Apparently, with all the success of the Ghostly Happenings episode, there is a renewed interest in Todd’s case.”

“Oh,” said Lara, suddenly feeling the tug of Todd again. As scared as she had been running through Paris, she had felt alive again—it was an adrenaline rush. This whole mystery had given her a purpose, something she hadn’t really felt since her wedding. “That’s good, right?”

“It might open up a lead, you never know.” He sounded tired. “When are you coming home?”

“Day after tomorrow. We pushed our return flight back because the painting looks to be real. There is another expert reviewing it now.” Sadly, she wasn’t sure an article would lead to any information on Peter or Todd. If there were leads, it would come from Althacazur, not some hotline set up by the police.

“I miss you.” His comment hung in the air. She knew he was testing her, seeing what she would say.

“I miss you, too.” Hers came out in a whisper, a final breath. Through a little time and some distance, Lara realized that she missed him terribly.

There was a pause on the line. “Be careful, Lara.”

“I will.” She hated to hang up. “It was really good to hear your voice.” The ache for him, the distance was palatable now.