Blake ran a hand over his balding head. “We’re trying to get a picture of her last day.”
“The last time I saw her alive was yesterday, in here,” Reva replied. “I’m staging a fashion show, and Traci is—was—one of the models.”
“And she didn’t tell you what her plans were for the rest of the day?”
Hardly. “No, she didn’t.”
“Did she seem upset or worried? Anything like that?”
Only upset because she had to work with me, Reva thought. She shook her head. “And I just don’t have any idea who’d want to kill her!”
Reva glanced over at Liza and remembered again Grant telling her how much Liza hated Traci.
“There could be fireworks,” he had warned.
Should she tell Detective Blake?
No. Not now, anyway.
Grant couldn’t possibly have meant anything like murder when he said that. And besides, Reva needed Liza for the show.
Reva made a point of looking at her watch, hoping the officer would take the hint. Two-fifteen! She’d scream if she didn’t get out of here soon.
“All right, Miss Dalby. Thanks for your time,” Blake told her. “If you think of anything, be sure to get in touch.”
“Of course.” Reva grabbed her jacket and bag and hurried out of the room before the detective could think of anything else to ask her.
As she stepped into the hallway, Grant’s words came back to her again. “Liza and Traci really hate each other. There could be fireworks.”
Forget it for now, Reva told herself. She zipped her jacket and hurried down the hallway. You have a show to put on.
If Liza had anything to do with Traci’s murder, let the police figure it out.
After all, that’s their job.
• • •
“Oh, no!” Reva groaned as she pulled her car to a stop in front of her house.
The battered, rusty VW sat in the drive, looking like a junkyard reject.
Groaning again, Reva stared at the front door. Pam and Willow must be inside. Why did they have to show up now, when she was so tired and upset? The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Pam and her creepy, mean-eyed friend.
Maybe I can sneak past them, she thought, climbing out of the Miata. They’re probably in the living room again. All I have to do is make it up the stairs without them seeing me.
Carefully, Reva slid her key into the front door lock. She turned the handle silently, eased the door open and peered inside.
The foyer was empty.
So far, so good.
Staying on tiptoe, she took one step. Then another.
Something moved behind the door.
Reva started to turn.
Too late.
A hand came out of the shadows. Something glinted in the dim light.
A knife. A gleaming, sharp-bladed knife.
Before Reva could open her mouth to scream, the knife plunged deep into her back.
Chapter 14
“REVA SHOULD DIE NEXT”
“You’re dead, Reva!” a high-pitched voice cried out. “You’re dead meat!”
Reva stumbled and fell to her knees on the hard marble floor.
“I’ve got you now!” the voice cried. “You’re dead, you’re dead, you’re dead!”
“Huh?” Reva spun around.
Her little brother stood over her, a savage grin on his face. His ice blue eyes widened in anticipation as he raised the knife again.
“Michael, no!” Reva scrambled to her feet. “What are you doing?”
“Killing you!” Michael yelled. He raised the knife higher, then plunged it toward Reva’s chest.
Gasping, Reva threw up her arm to block it.
The blade slammed into her forearm.
And collapsed into the handle of the knife.
A retractable knife! Reva realized. A toy!
Furious, she grabbed Michael’s hand and wrenched the knife loose.
“Ow! You twisted my finger!” he wailed.
“Serves you right!” Reva snapped. “What do you think you’re doing? You scared me to death!”
“Good!” He grinned again. “That’s what the Evil Avenger is supposed to do!”
“Listen, Michael, I’m totally upset and exhausted!” Reva said. “I’m definitely not in the mood for your stupid games!”
“It’s not a game!” he protested. “The Evil Avenger never plays games!”
As Reva scowled at him, footsteps sounded behind her. She jumped and spun around.
The droopy-haired maid stood in the living room doorway.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Reva snapped.
“Sorry, Miss,” the maid muttered. “I came to tell you that you have visitors. They’re waiting for you in the living room.”
“No kidding.” Reva rolled her eyes. Daddy absolutely had to get rid of this one! “Next time I’m not here, don’t let anyone come in and wait for me.”