Rather than traipsing back to her own apartment two doors down from Wyatt's, Phoebe went down to the second floor and knocked on Elise's door.

"Come in, it's unlocked," Elise called. That seemed to be the policy around Mesa Blue. Everybody knew everybody-except Wyatt, of course-and since access to the building was controlled by twenty-four-hour security, the building had become its own small town. That was one of the reasons Phoebe had decided to move here. Her grandmother had left the condo to her in her will. Surprised and grateful-Phoebe had scarcely ever met her father's mother-she welcomed the opportunity to flee Hollywood and settle into Mesa Blue's warm, friendly environs.

She entered Elise's apartment to find her friend lounging on her sofa reading a Bride magazine and sipping coffee. Her light brown hair was up in a ponytail, and she wore gym shorts and a T-shirt, looking as if she'd just finished an exercise routine.

Elise smiled a welcome. "Hey, get some coffee and sit down."

Phoebe did just that. She loved Elise's apartment, with its comfy furniture and its eclectic collection of books, pictures and plants. It was the sort of apartment a college professor should live in, which was only fitting, since that's what Elise was. She taught French at ArizonaStateUniversity.

Phoebe was sad that Elise would be moving out when she got married in a few months, though happy her friend had found such a wonderful man in James Dillon.

"Any progress in checking out Wyatt Madison?" Elise asked.

"That's why I'm here. I've failed miserably. Although I can tell you he has a butt to die for."

Elise's eyebrows flew up. "Oh, really?"

"And a nice voice."

"Maybe I shouldn't ask."

"He had his head stuck under the sink, for gosh sake," Phoebe said. "Even Frannie couldn't lure him out. We've got to come up with a plan."