Page 27 of Choosing Stella

She went back to the counter and checked the screen.

Her face tightened.

“What?”

“The call came through the number I use for tarot appointments.”

“Do you recognize it?”

“No.”

She let it ring once more.

“If you answer, don’t give them anything they don’t already know.”

Stella gave me a look.

“I do know how phones work.”

“I’m learning that.”

She answered.

“Stella Moon.”

A man’s voice came through faintly.

“Ms. Moon. Mikhail Volkov.”

Her eyes met mine.

I moved closer, not enough to take the phone.

Stella tapped the speaker icon herself.

“I know who you are,” she said. “The detectives mentioned you.”

“I’m sorry they involved you in this situation.”

His voice was smooth, controlled, and professional.

Stella leaned one hip against the counter.

“They involved me because Antonio was murdered after I left his penthouse.”

He paused.

“Yes. It’s an ugly situation.”

“You confirmed my appointment.”

“I answered the police honestly.”

“Then what do you want?”

Stella didn’t soften the question.

I kept quiet and listened.