DEADLY ILLUSIONS by Brenda Joyce

Author:Brenda Joyce
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2005-06-04T07:00:00+00:00

“Come in,” Maggie breathed, her eyes wide, her complexion ashen. She opened the door wider to let Francesca, Hart, Raoul and Joel inside.

“Are you all right?” Francesca asked the moment she had bolted the door behind them.

Maggie looked at her, nodding, her eyes shining with tears.

“Oh dear,” Francesca whispered, and she embraced the other woman who, briefly, clung in return.

Then Maggie stepped back, managing a smile. “I am sorry I am being so foolish. But I decided to call on Kate, as she lives just around the block from me. And now she is dead! The Slasher has struck again,” she cried, keeping her voice down. Clearly, her three younger children were all asleep in the flat’s single bedroom.

Francesca put her arm around her as they walked toward the small sofa that defined the room’s parlor. “It may or may not be the Slasher. We will not know until a clinical examination of the body has occurred.”

Maggie confronted her. “What do you mean, it may not be the Slasher? If he didn’t kill Kate, then who did?”

“We simply don’t know yet,” Francesca said.

Maggie clasped her hands together. “I have forgotten my manners,” she whispered. “Francesca, Mr. Hart, do sit down, please,” she said.

“We are fine,” Hart said firmly. He had walked over to her window to look down on Tenth Avenue. “Kate’s apartment is but a minute’s walk from here,” he remarked.

That was very true. One had to walk only to the corner of Tenth and Avenue A, turn right, and go up Tenth Street a few doors to her building. Guessing his unspoken question, Francesca said, “Francis is on Eleventh Street and Avenue B.”

Hart turned to her very seriously. “Do not tell me that every victim lived on this square block?”

“No! She is on the northwest side of Eleventh and Avenue B. Still,” she said, their gazes locked, “the proximity is amazing.”

“Maybe we had better go to my brother-in-law’s,” Maggie said softly.

Francesca faced her. “I would feel much better if you did move temporarily, just until the killer is caught. Maggie, my mother has no objection if you wish to stay with us.”

Maggie smiled weakly. “I can’t think clearly right now, not with poor Kate dead. But I have to do what is best for the children.”

“Yes, you do, and that means you must move out of this flat until the killer is caught.”

“My brother-in-law only has a one-bedroom flat. He has two children of his own. It would be so cramped.” Maggie shook her head. “I am hysterical, I apologize. How could Kate be dead?”

Francesca had a sudden idea. She grasped Maggie’s shoulder, smiling at her. “I have a perfect solution, one that does not involve your staying with us again.”

Maggie gazed at her hopefully. “You do?”

She glanced at Hart briefly and faced Maggie. “Calder has more room than anyone. Come and stay with us—I mean, him!”

Maggie faltered, darting her eyes at Hart. “I couldn’t!”

“Of course you can. Calder doesn’t mind, do you?” Francesca said eagerly.

“I have dozens of empty bedrooms, even with my family in residence.

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