“What do we do now, Regan?” Kit asked.

“Let’s head over to your hotel and talk to the people from Georgina’s company. See what else we can find out about her. I’d also like to speak to the police in Atlanta who are questioning her friend and get a look at Georgina’s room if the hotel security will allow it.”

“I’m coming with you,” Billy said firmly.

“Good,” Regan said. She turned to Kent. “Is there a phone book here we could take with us?”

“Yes, I’ll get it for you right away.”

“Thanks. You and Becky have both been very helpful.”

“I’ll keep thinking about this, Regan,” Becky promised. “Maybe I’ll remember something else.”

“I appreciate it.” Regan started to get up. “Billy and Kit, on the way over to the hotel, you two can start calling all the C. Joneses in the book while I call Jack and give him an update.”

14

C hip and Georgina were walking up a quiet, darkened section of Park Avenue in the Fifties when his cell phone rang.

Georgina squeezed his fingers. “Don’t answer it.”

He laughed. “Why not?”

“It will ruin the magic.”

“Oh, come on.” Chip pulled the phone out of the case attached to his belt and glanced at the caller ID. “It’s my roommate, Phil. He’s a good guy. This will just take a minute. Hello…”

A feeling of frustration and dread came over Georgina as Chip chatted with his friend. This wasn’t going to be easy tonight even though Chip had been sent to her as a gift. Usually she lured the guys to her car and then drove off with them. She patted her handbag. The knockout drops were in there. Drops she herself used to get to sleep. The small branding iron was in the zippered compartment. And she had her usual supply of lighters. I’m always prepared, she thought.

“You’re where?” Chip asked. “Hey, it sounds great, but I’m with someone. We’re just walking around. I’ll catch you later.”

“So you have a roommate,” Georgina remarked casually, as Chip stuck his cell phone back in its holder. “Where do you live?”

“On East Ninetieth Street. There’s a new bar not far from my apartment that’s really popular. All of our friends go there. We can join them if you want…”

“No,” Georgina said with a smile. “I’d much rather be alone with you.”

“My sentiments exactly,” Chip said as his cell phone started to ring again.

“Why don’t you turn that off?” Georgina asked, trying to sound playful.

“I will,” Chip said as he again glanced at the caller ID. “But this is my mother calling. She probably just wants to see if I’m okay in the blackout.” He pressed the answer button. “Hello, Mom. Mom? We have a bad connection. Let me call you back.” Chip disconnected and then dialed the number of his parents’ summer home in Maine. His mother picked up.

“Chip, honey, are you all right down there?”

“Mom, I’m fine. Did you lose power?”