“Aren’t you spending too much time with this guy? We don’t know anything about him.”

“We were walking in the same direction,” Jordan told him.

“Where have you been all day?”

“In my room, working.”

That seemed to satisfy him. She wanted to believe that Jared was acting the part of the protective older brother today; she sensed it was more than that.

Anna Maria called to Jared, who stepped forward, dutifully kissing her cheeks, and responding with pleasure to something she said. Cindy stepped back to Jordan, smiling then with wicked delight. “You go, girl! He’s a hunk. If it weren’t for Jared, I’d be tempted. Oh, hell, I adore Jared, and I’m tempted!”

“Cindy, it’s not?”

“His eyes are never off you!”

“How can you tell, behind those glasses?”

Cindy giggled. “I can tell.”

“There’s nothing going on?”

“There should be! Steven has been dead a long time now,” she added softly.

“Tiff has a thing for him. That’s why she planned that little cocktail party tonight.”

“Are you sure we’re invited?” Cindy asked. “I haven’t heard a word from Tiff.”

“We’re all definitely invited, though I admit, I’m surprised she hasn’t called.”

“Girls, are you ready?” Jared asked, turning toward them.

“I didn’t even get my costume,” Cindy said.

“I have it,” Jared told her, glancing at his watch. “If we’re planning on getting to Tiff’s and then the ball

... it’s time to make tracks.”

“Yes, if we’re to change and be ready,” Cindy said.

“We’ll see you at the ball. What are you going as, Anna Maria?”

“The hostess,” Anna Maria said.

“I’ll be someone you’ll never expect,” Lynn volunteered.

“Raphael?” Cindy asked.

He drew his finger to his lips, smiling mischievously.

“He’ll be flamboyant,” Jordan volunteered for him.

“Til later,” Ragnor said, kissing Anna Maria goodbye. He started out the shop first. Jordan started to follow. Jared caught her arm.

“Why are you going with him?”

She pulled her arm back. “Honestly, Jared, we’re going to the same place. And by the way, did you hear that they pulled a head out of the canal? Not a fish head, Jared, a human head.” He sighed with exasperation. “Yes, I heard. That must mean there are bodies by the truckload floating in the water, all from the contessa’s.”

“It means that someone was killed?and that his head was severed.”

“Hey, guys, you’re blocking the door,” Cindy warned.

Jordan moved ahead, catching up with Ragnor, who had both their costumes under his arm.

She slipped her hand around his free elbow. He looked down at her. She saw a brow arch behind his glasses, but an annoying smile was on his face, so she knew that he was aware she was merely irritated with her cousin.

“Be careful of him,” Ragnor whispered.

“He’s my cousin. I adore him. He’s not a stranger.”

“There can be no one stranger than a person you think you really know,” Ragnor said.

“Oh, my God! Quit being so cryptic!” she implored.

He was silent as they walked along, several yards ahead of Cindy and Jared. Then, after a while, he startled her when he spoke.

“She doesn’t look well.”

“What?”

“Cindy. She looks very tired and pale.”

“Naturally, she’s tired. Everyone parties all night.”

Again they walked in silence. Nearing the hotel, they went by the shop with the mannequin in the window that had twice seemed to look at her with Steven’s face.

She hadn’t realized that she had stopped, staring at it again. It was just a mannequin.

“What is it?” Ragnor queried.

“Nothing.” She looked up at him. It was dark now, and he had shed his sunglasses at last. She was surprised by the intensity of his stare. “Nothing,” she repeated. “Nothing at all. I like that outfit.”

“And you say that I lie!” he told her softly.

“We have to hurry if we’re to make Tiff’s. Now, Mr. Wulfsson, there’s a woman who is fond of you.”

“She is a pleasant person.”

Jordan smiled. She liked Tiff very much herself; there was just something about her. But she wasn’t sure that “pleasant” was a word she’d use to describe her.

“I believe she finds you far more intriguing than merely pleasant.” He paused, gazing at her. “Perhaps the right person?under ninety?will come along for her. You knew absolutely nothing about her cocktail party tonight until I told you about it, did you?”

“I wasn’t surprised. I told you, I saw you two together.”

“We weren’t together.”

“She wants you to visit her palazzo.”

“I’ve seen her palazzo.”

“Okay, so she wants you to see her palazzo with her in it.” He didn’t reply as they kept walking. Nearing the Danieli, he asked her, “And you have no interest in me

.. . yourself?”

Jordan laughed, actually enjoying the conversation. Yes, maybe once she could have been. If she had met him under different circumstances. If she didn’t dream of Steven, if...

“I don’t trust you,” she said.

“But you have to trust me.”

“Then somewhere along the line, you’ll have to give me a reason to do so.” They’d reached the hotel. Jordan went through the revolving door. As she asked for her key, Jared was close behind her. “We’ll have to meet in the lobby in about thirty minutes. This thing at Tiff’s is going to be a pain.”

She turned and looked at him. “Jared, you don’t have to go. I do. She’s become a friend.”

“Oh, good.”

“Hey, she’s been your client, throwing lots of money your way.”

“She’s still not the best social companion.”

“She’s blunt and honest and I like her. But I won’t be angry if you don’t go.”

“Oh, no. Cindy and I will go.” He glanced over his shoulder where Cindy and Ragnor were talking. She thought that his jaw clenched, and she realized that Jared wasn’t as concerned for her as he was hostile to Ragnor.

“Okay, the lobby in thirty minutes.”

She took her costume from Ragnor, politely thanked him for carrying it, and hurried up the stairs.

Apparently, Cindy, who did like Ragnor, was making sure that he also knew they were to meet in the lobby in thirty minutes.

Jordan barely had time to jump in and out of the shower and dress. But the fantasy costume was easy, and it came with a bejewelled tiara-like headpiece and mask. She ran a brush through her hair before donning it, touched her cheeks with glitter makeup, and was ready. She started for the door, then hesitated.

The maid had put her reading copy of the detective’s vampire book on the desk, next to her laptop. She walked over to it and flipped to the copyright page. The book was being published by something called DeMac Publishing, New Orleans. There was an E-mail address for inquiries. Dropping her little jeweled purse, she pulled out her chair and typed out a quick E-mail to the author, introducing herself briefly and telling him she’d greatly appreciate a chance to talk to him, or chat over the Internet.

Satisfied, she sent the E-mail, then jumped up to meet the others in the lobby.

Ragnor was in a typical black cape and top hat; he was appearing in Edwardian fashion this evening.

Cindy was gorgeous in an elaborate Elizabethan costume and Jared was once again in dottore adornment.

“I’m pretty sure I know the way,” Jordan told the others. “But maybe I should get the directions again?”

“I know where her palazzo is,” Ragnor said.

“Then you should lead the way,” Cindy said and yawned. “My lord! All these parties! I’m sleeping half the day away, and I’m still exhausted.”

It was good that despite being tired, Cindy seemed to be cheerful. Jared seemed tense; he kept his mask on as they walked. Ragnor was quiet, yet watchful, Jordan thought, and unerringly polite and courteous to Cindy.

They continued to talk, discussing the Bridge of Sighs and the prisoners who knew they were doomed once they crossed it, and famous residents of the prisons, such as Casanova.

Jordan kept on ahead, suddenly anxious to reach Tiff’s. But when they arrived, and she tried the big brass knocker, no one answered.

Jared pounded on the door as well. They all stood awkwardly in the street.

“Well, great, she’s invited us all over, and she isn’t here. Are you sure this is the right time and the right night?” Jared said to Jordan.

“Before Anna Maria’s party,” Ragnor said. “That could be no other time or night.” Jared pounded again. They waited.

“Well this is ridiculous!” Jared said.

“I’m worried about her,” Jordan said.

“Worried about her!” Jared exclaimed. “She made us walk through half of Venice, and now she isn’t here!”

“But don’t you see, that’s the point! She really wanted us over,” Jordan argued. She pounded the door again, then stood back in the calle, looking upward. “Tiff!”

“Jordan, if she can’t hear those brass knockers pounding, she can’t hear you calling,” Jared said. He glanced at his watch. “We’ll give her five minutes.”

They remained awkwardly at the entry to the palazzo.

“I think we should call the police,” Jordan said.

“The police!” Jared scoffed. “Because she forgot she invited us to a cocktail party?”

“She didn’t forget; I know it,” Jordan argued.