Part 24 (1/2)
”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 Publis.h.i.+ng, 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 fas.h.i.+on 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 bra.s.s 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 bra.s.s 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 c.o.c.ktail party?”
”She didn't forget; I know it,” Jordan argued.
”Try the door,” Cindy said.
Jared did so. ”Locked. Bolted tight.”
”I just know that she wouldn't have forgotten,” Jordan said.
”But you said that you hadn't heard from her today,” Cindy reminded her.
”And I arranged for a lot of the tickets for Anna Maria's party,” Jared said. ”I can't show up too late. If she hasn't even let us in yet.. .”
”Look,” Ragnor said, ”why don't you three go on ahead to Anna Maria's? I'll wait around here for a while and see if she does show up.” ”I think I should stay, too,” Jordan said.
Now, even Ragnor seemed impatient with her. ”Go on, Jordan. I'll give Tiff a few minutes, then I'll be right behind you.”
Jordan shrugged. Well, if Tiff did return in the next few minutes, she'd be elated to find Ragnor waiting there for her-alone.
She should happily walk off.
But something didn't feel right.
”I'll be here,” Ragnor said firmly.
”All right,” Jordan said at last.
She turned and started away with Jared and Cindy. Looking back, she saw that he did remain, a tall, caped figure, arms crossed over his chest, as if standing sentinel.
”Jordan, come on,” Jared said.