Silent Night 3(23)
Robert Dalby frowned. “No,” he said thoughtfully. “I don’t see any real reason to.”
Pam exchanged a glance with Willow. Willow tilted her head toward Uncle Robert and mouthed the words, Tell him now.
Pam nodded. “That’s really great, Uncle Robert,” she said. “Now Willow and I can go ahead and work out our business agreement with Reva.”
Her uncle stared at her in surprise. “Why, Pam, are you involved in Reva’s scarf show, too?”
• • •
Reva’s scarf show! Pam gritted her teeth and took a deep breath as she and Willow drove away from the Dalby mansion a few minutes later.
Uncle Robert still didn’t have a clue that she and Willow had designed the scarves. Just as Pam had started to tell him the truth, the maid interrupted. He had an urgent call from New York. Uncle Robert rushed upstairs to take it.
And Reva—still pretending to be freaked out over Traci—told them she had to lie down. “We’ll talk business some other time,” she promised.
Sure, Pam thought.
Some other lifetime.
“Can you believe it?” she asked, glancing at Willow. “Reva didn’t even tell Uncle Robert that we’re making all the scarves. She’s taking credit for everything!”
“I can believe it.” Willow gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. “Reva should die next,” she declared in a harsh, angry voice. “She really should.”
“Willow!” Pam cried, shocked. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t ever talk like that again. I mean it!”
Willow’s lips curved in a grim smile, and her eyes flashed with a cruel anger.
A chill ran up Pam’s spine as she gazed at her friend’s expression.
I haven’t known her that long, Pam thought. She’s tough, I know that much. Very tough.
But she isn’t really capable of murder.
Is she?
Chapter 15
PHONE CALLS
“Rory, no! Please!” Grace sat tensely on the edge of the bed, clutching the phone with both hands. “Please go away. You got what you came for, didn’t you?”
She heard Rory’s laugh—and flinched as if he’d hit her. So much bitterness in his voice! So much hatred!
What had she done to make him hate her so much?
Rory continued talking, but the words didn’t matter. All Grace heard was the savage fury behind them. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands were so slick with sweat she almost dropped the phone.
“Stop it!” she gasped, breaking into the stream of hatred pouring into her ear. “Rory, please, please go away! Get out of Shadyside and leave me alone!” She gently fingered her black eye. “Haven’t you hurt me enough? Aren’t you satisfied yet?”
Rory didn’t bother to answer. He just started in where he’d left off. It’s as if he didn’t even hear me! Grace thought. He doesn’t care how I feel.
All Rory cares about is revenge!
“You’re crazy!” she cried, interrupting him again. “Do you hear me? You’re totally—”
Grace broke off suddenly and looked up.
Reva stood in the doorway, staring at her with a mixture of curiosity and distaste. “Is that Rory?” Reva whispered.
Grace shook her head. If Reva knew it was Rory, she would insist on calling the police. And I can’t! Grace thought. I’m afraid of what might happen!
Grace spoke quickly into the phone. “Sorry, I have to go now. Bye.” She hung up and forced a smile. “Hi, Reva.”
“That wasn’t Rory?” Reva asked.
“No, it was my mother,” Grace lied. “She called while I was on the other line.”
Reva raised an eyebrow skeptically.
Grace stood up and walked to the dresser. “I made the big mistake of telling her about Traci. She got all upset and thought I should come home.” She peered into the mirror and flicked her fingers through her hair. “You know what mothers are like,” she added with a sigh.
“Not really.” Reva lowered her eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Grace cried. “Your mother is dead—I almost forgot. It was stupid of me to say that.” She peered at Reva in the mirror. “Anyway, I’m glad your father didn’t cancel the scarf show.”
Reva gave her a satisfied smile. “Not as glad as I am. I’m sorry Traci is dead, but that show is really important to me. It would have been dumb to cancel it when I can get another model just like that” She snapped her fingers. “Besides, the show must go on—right?”
“Definitely.” Grace picked up a bottle of foundation makeup and shook it. “Listen, want to go out and do something together tonight? I think this stuff will cover the bruise around my eye so I won’t look like a raccoon.”