“It’s dumb,” Melissa said fiercely. “The statue has nothing to do with any of this.”
“How do you know?” Travis gazed at her with speculation. “Did she confide in you in one of your nightmare trysts?”
“I’m just being logical. Neither of you seems to know the meaning of the—” She strode toward the bathroom. “Excuse me.”
Jessica blinked as the door slammed behind Melissa. “Well, no one can say my sister doesn’t have decided opinions.”
“Have you ever discussed the Wind Dancer with her?”
“Only casually. Naturally, I told her the circumstances of Cassie’s trauma.” She shook her head. “I’m sure she didn’t mean to blow up. She’s been under a good deal of stress lately, and she didn’t want her study time interrupted.”
“She didn’t hurt my feelings.” He leaned back. “Have you ever considered going back to Vasaro and re-creating the scene there?”
“Not if there’s any other way. Too traumatic. The cure could be worse than the illness.”
“But you’ve considered it?”
“I’ve considered every step imaginable. Even if I wanted to take Cassie to Vasaro, her father absolutely refuses to allow it.”
“Oh, that could be a problem.” He thought for a moment. “What about the Wind Dancer? That’s part of the picture.”
“Andreas lent it to the Museum d’Andreas in Paris.”
“I’m checking to see if the statue is going on tour anytime in the near future.”
“You are?” She looked at him in surprise. “Then you do believe there’s a connection.”
“I don’t know. I’m grabbing at straws, but if we could take her to Paris and arrange for her to—”
“The President is not going to permit her to go anywhere until the people who attacked Vasaro are found.” She stared meaningfully at him. “Isn’t that your job?”
“I’m working on it.” He smiled as he recalled that that was the phrase Melissa had used. “Maybe we can ask Melissa to broach the subject of the Wind Dancer during the next episode with Cassie.”
“After that reaction?”
“Persuade her.” He stood up. “The clock’s ticking. If we don’t make a breakthrough soon, we may be forced to take radical action.”
“Radical? Things are going just fine. I don’t intend to rock the boat.”
He gave her a sober glance. “Rock it, Jessica.”
She was going to throw up.
No, she could stop it, Melissa told herself. It wasn’t as if it hadn’t happened before. Just don’t think about it and do the usual things. She bent over the washbasin and splashed cold water in her face.
But it hadn’t happened before. Not like this. Dreams were dreams. This was reality.
Damn him. She should have known Travis would dig and probe until he came up with a lead. It wouldn’t do him any good. She would stop him and it would go no further.
Emerald eyes staring . . .
Sweet Jesus . . .
She rushed to the toilet and threw up.
“You look pale.” Jessica frowned worriedly as she watched Melissa come down the stairs. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Melissa smiled. “I’ve probably been hitting the books too hard. I’ve been cooped up in that room all day. If you’re feeling sorry for me, you could get me a lemonade and come and keep me company on the porch. I need some air before I go back to the grind.”
“I could use a glass myself.” She headed for the kitchen. “Go on out. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Melissa settled on the swing and sent it moving gently. It was a hot, muggy night, and she could hear the frogs croaking in the pond behind the house. Summer sounds. Life sounds. Wonderful . . .
“Daydreaming?” Jessica handed her a glass and sat down beside her. “You look a lot better.”
Melissa laughed. “I’m not sure that’s a compliment. It’s dark out here.”
“There’s moonlight.”
Melissa looked up at the sky. “Yes, there is.”
Silence.
“Mellie, why did you blow up this afternoon?” Jessica asked hesitantly.
“I was waiting for that question. I worried you, didn’t I? You thought I was irrational, and considering the fact that you’re not sure how well balanced I am anyway, it—”
“That’s not true. I know there’s nothing wrong with you. I just wondered why you got so upset.”
“I’m sure you gave Travis all kinds of excuses for my lapse.”
“Of course I did. Maybe a couple of them might even have merit.” She sipped her lemonade. “We never kept secrets from each other. Talk to me, Mellie.”