Immediately after hanging up, he tried Jane mobile phone. Still no answer. He quickly did a Google search for accidents around town, but nothing usefu... showed up.He was definitely starting to panic, so he walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. On the way, he noticed a small piece of paper that had been slipped under the front door. He quickly picked it up and read it:"I have your woman. She is unharmed. Will trade her for the crest at 8 pm at the following address. – Flame Mage"Kevin. ..exciting! It meant, for one thing, that maybe my mom really wasn't quite as 'racist' as I'd grown up to see her as? Then there was the nagging thought that my step-dad might be in on this whole interracial sexual thing, as well. It made so much sense that he had been the one taking those photographs---but what about the very real possibility that my mom had fucked that black guy? If my step-dad had taken the photos of my mom snuggling and cuddling with that black guy, it seemed inescapable. As Kathy pointed out, there’s an uncanny physical resemblance between Gene and me. From everything I’ve seen, he’s a great guy. His only hang up is Jennifer’s choice of a partner, but I think Bethany will get him to chill out about that.”“Jennifer is dating?”“Yes. Her name is Jocelyn.”“Oh! Uhm, I can see why Gene would have a problem with that.”“Yes, I was sure that you would. Can we please just agree not to judge Jennifer? I know what your church teaches on the subject, but she’s my friend and. I guess we'll have to wait until after the party to catch upwith Brandy and Candi," he said, suggesting for the first time that hewas willing to continue after the dinner.Stephanie smiled, but didn't say anything directly. "I wonder how ourauthor would handle a scene like our dinner party?" she asked."It would probably turn into an orgy," he said as he finished sortingingredients.Stephanie laughed. "Probably. As you said, he lacks subtlety." Anevil grin appeared on her lips, but she stifled.