Stolen with Style by Carina Axelsson Page B

myself—the last thing I wanted was for whoever had sent the email to see me looking scared—I got up and walked with her back to the empty dressing area. As soon as we were safely behind the curtain, she whispered, “Axelle, look. I’ve received another text…and it seems it’s the first riddle.”
    You are always making demands—unreasonable ones—so now it’s my turn. You clearly don’t realize how odious you are, holding people’s lives in your hands and crushing them with a swift step of your stiletto. But soon you will.
    Time to begin your treasure hunt! Riddle number 1: There are two lions outside, but also one inside—and she has a certain allure. Find it and photograph it. I’ll contact you by 6:30 p.m. If you haven’t solved the riddle by then, your next one will be delayed by a day, which means that finding your treasure will be delayed too. You won’t have much time but that, of course, is the point. Have fun!
    While the texts could be read as a prelude to some kind of blackmail demand, revenge also seemed increasingly likely to be a major part of the plan. And, apparently, watching New York’s top fashion editor sweat was a good place to start.
    â€œI never should have touched that diamond,” Cazzie hissed. “Never! With the commitments and schedule I have, how am I supposed to run around town chasing down the answers to the thief’s riddles? But I can’t delay finding the Black Amelia—I can’t! I need to have the diamond in my hands by Friday when Noah comes back into town!”
    â€œCazzie,” I said, trying to make her focus, “listen. Please stop. Right now you should just concentrate on finishing the shoot and keeping your ears and eyes open, okay? Let me answer these riddles. Just forward any texts to me as soon as you get them.”
    She nodded gratefully.
    â€œOkay, I need to do my next two shots now ,” I told her. “I don’t have a second to spare if I’m going to solve this riddle. Can you talk to Peter and the others for me? Maybe explain to them that Miriam’s just called me and asked me to squeeze in a casting before my five-o’clock Jared Moor fitting? So they need to let me do my remaining two shots straight away.”
    Cazzie nodded and left. Meanwhile, I could barely concentrate. After reading her new text and my email, my mind was buzzing. But once Cazzie returned to the dressing room and helped me get ready, I somehow managed to go back out into the studio and do the photos. I was relieved when, three quarters of an hour later, Peter declared, “I have the shots. They look great!”
    I quickly pulled my own clothes back on, then said good-bye to everyone. A claustrophobic creepiness crept over me as I left. The possibility that one of the people I’d just shaken hands with had sent Cazzie and me those threatening texts and email—and stolen the diamond—was disturbing.
    Finally I stepped out of the Juice Studios building and into the fresh air. I let the wind ruffle my hair for a few moments and took a deep breath as I watched Ira sitting in Cazzie’s car. He was reading the newspaper.
    Fleetingly I wondered if he could be behind the diamond’s disappearance. Or maybe an accomplice to it, at least? After all, he was privy to many of Cazzie’s conversations and her daily schedule. And he had plenty of time to send texts and emails.
    At that moment Ira saw me looking at him. He smiled from the car and gave me a thumbs-up. I waved back, then looked at my watch before my paranoia got the better of me. It was nearly half past two now. My next appointment was the casting at Jared Moor at 5 p.m. But first I was going to follow the directions from Cazzie’s lunchtime text and see where they led. I had just over two and a half hours to myself.
    Time, I told myself, to start connecting the dots.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
    After a