Rebecca silently cursed herself for being so forthright with her mother as Lenora went on, “I’m sure Angelica will understand.”

Before she could argue, Lenora had claimed another call was coming in and disconnected.

Yeah, right.

So bogus, Mom.

But Lenora had been right about one thing. Rebecca could work from Riggs Crossing. As long as she had her laptop, an Internet connection, and electricity. Well, and inspiration. There was always that. And it was in short supply lately.

Worse yet, Angelica had given her blessing for Rebecca to stay in Riggs Crossing when Rebecca had phoned her.

“It’s where you belong. Until you find your sister. There is nothing more important than family,” Angelica had said breathlessly as she was nearly out the door to catch a flight to L.A., where she was certain the next Vision in White shop would be established. There was no arguing with her when she was in a rush. “Look, you stay there, do what you can do, and keep in touch. E-mail or text or call. This will all work out. I only pray you locate Megan, and soon. If you find out anything, call me!”

“I will.”

“Good. Gotta run if I want to catch my flight! Hopefully by this time next week, we’ll have a Southern California location! Wish me luck. Ciao!”

“Buona fortuna a te!” Rebecca had said, but Angelica was already gone, leaving Rebecca with a phone pressed to her ear as she stared out the hotel room window at the familiar street below. Suddenly, she felt very, very alone in this small, out-of-the-way town, where everyone appeared to know everyone—except her.

Megan was still missing.

Charity Spritz had been murdered.

And James Cahill was involved with Sophia Russo. That didn’t sit well. There was something about the woman that bothered her, even though they hadn’t really met. Her feelings were jaded by her sister’s opinion, but there was something about Sophia that seemed fake or suspicious or—

“Stop!” she said aloud, as she didn’t know the woman. The truth was that James Cahill’s interest in other women, including Megan, still bugged her. Which was ludicrous, all things considered. “Get over it,” she said through clenched teeth. Her time with James was over, and it was for the best. She just had to focus on Megan.

Where the hell was she?

When Rebecca had first driven to Riggs Crossing, she had been certain that this was just another one of Megan’s overly dramatic diva stunts. Now, though, she wasn’t as convinced. Never before had one of her sister’s disappearing acts been so lengthy. Or so worrisome.

This time, the situation felt different.