Anthea rang the doorbell at the Stavros home. Inside the living room, Leander and Thalia were sitting on the sofa. They were watching their favorite television series, which aired two new episodes every Sunday morning. When the doorbell rang, they exchanged glances. Neither of them moved immediately.
"Do you think that could be Vessara?" Thalia asked, her voice low and careful.
They had not made any progress so far in finding her. And they did not want to escalate the issue by taking extra measures.
Leander responded with hope in his voice. "It might be her. Let me go see."
He stood up from the sofa to open the door. Before he could take more than two steps, Thea rushed down the stairs.
She said, "I'll get it. It's the delivery I've been expecting."
Leander sat back down. Thea reached the front door and pulled it open. A prepared smile was on her face. But the smile vanished the instant she saw Anthea standing on the porch.
