Chapter 1149

Skylar immediately called Joe. He answered quickly. "Did you see my message? You should be asleep at this hour. Why are you awake?"

Airport noise filled the background; he seemed to be on a plane, pre-flight announcements audible. Hearing his voice eased Skylar's anxiety. "Are you on a plane?"

"Yes, we're about to take off. I'll be back as soon as I can. If anything happens, call me." Skylar faintly heard a flight attendant's announcement about phones. "When will you land?" she asked quickly.

"In about eight hours. Get some rest. I'll call you when I land," Joe replied, then hung up.

The dial tone echoed. Skylar stared at her phone, lost in thought, before pressing a hand to her head. It was just a nightmare.

She slept little that night, so she read. Morning arrived before she knew it. After breakfast, Joe called. "I've landed and am heading to the hotel."

Skylar's worries melted away. She'd been overthinking. "I'm having breakfast. Did you eat on the plane?"

"I did. I'll have coffee at the hotel," Joe replied, his voice weary. An eight-hour flight would tire anyone, especially with the time change and immediate work.

"Take a nap in the car if you can. Don't worry about home or Grandma; I'll handle it. I'm finishing breakfast now," Skylar said, preparing to hang up.

But Joe asked, "Did you miss me?"

She pretended not to hear and ended the call. Though they'd reconciled, some words remained difficult.

Joe texted: "You heartless little one. It seems you didn't miss me."

Skylar smiled at "heartless little one" and replied, "Then, did you miss me?"

She didn't expect a response, but he replied, "Yes." That simple word banished her restless thoughts. A faint smile curved her lips as she replied, "I'll wait for you to come home."

After breakfast, she slept three hours. Then Aiken called. "Were you sleeping? Did I wake you?"

"No, I slept poorly last night and just woke from a nap," Skylar said.

"I've been investigating Molly's contact," Aiken explained. "They've almost never met face-to-face, using only internet calls and disposable phones. No prominent Jipsburg families seem involved in antiquities recently. I suspect they'll make no further moves, or have already left. Regarding Madam Viola's brother, I found evidence suggesting he died abroad, though confirmation is difficult due to the time elapsed."

Aiken shared his findings. There were few leads left. Skylar wasn't surprised; Joe and Alexander's investigations had reached the same conclusion – the person had vanished. She hadn't expected news of Viola's brother.

After thanking Aiken, Skylar remembered she hadn't contacted Simona. "How's Simona been lately?"

"A bit down. Actually, I hoped you could help. If you have time, could you join her for a meal?" Aiken asked.

Chapter 1150