“Interesting idea. Let me think about it.”
“We’ll talk soon. Plenty of time to make up your mind.”
We all fell into quiet contemplation.
I thought of Elwood, still in the hospital but more cantankerous every day. Of Ma, whom Robin had driven home to Pacific Grove. Of Saskia, who had returned to her law practice in Boise. Of Emi, winging her way back to Montana because, as she put it, “You can’t leave a pothead who calls herself Astral Plane in charge of your business very long.” Of Patsy and Ben, whose children had given approval of their marriage plans. Of—
The doorbell rang.
Hy started to get up, but I said, “No. I can’t go on being afraid to answer my own door forever.”
Still, my palms were damp as I reached for the latch of the judas window.
A young man in a WeDeliver cap said, “Happy New Year!”
I opened the door, saying, “Delivering at this hour is way beyond the call of duty for you.”
He handed me the long white box tied with a red ribbon. I dug in my pocket and handed him a generous tip.
“Secret admirer?” Hy said when I brought the box into the living room.
I set the box down and stared at it. “I may be getting paranoid, but what if it explodes?”
“It won’t.”
“You know who it’s from.”
He shrugged, smiling.
I opened the box and cleared the tissue paper away. Inside lay a spray of tulips—yellow, white, red, and purple. I sucked in my breath with pleasure and located the card in its little white envelope.
It said: With all my love, Father.
Acknowledgments
Lindsey Rose, my editor at Grand Central books, for her patience and excellent suggestions.
Molly Friedrich and Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency.
Sarah Andrews, Janet Dawson, Peggy Lucke, Shelley Singer, and Polly Poldowski—my partners in crime.
Bette and JJ Lamb, for making me laugh and forget my troubles.
Laura Neditch, for our Tuesday-morning chats.
Melissa Ward, who tries—against my best efforts—to get me organized.
SHARON MCCONE MYSTERIES
BY MARCIA MULLER
SOMEONE ALWAYS KNOWS
THE NIGHT SEARCHERS
LOOKING FOR YESTERDAY
CITY OF WHISPERS
COMING BACK
LOCKED IN
BURN OUT
THE EVER-RUNNING MAN
VANISHING POINT
THE DANGEROUS HOUR
DEAD MIDNIGHT
LISTEN TO THE SILENCE
A WALK THROUGH THE FIRE
WHILE OTHER PEOPLE SLEEP
BOTH ENDS OF THE NIGHT
THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND
A WILD AND LONELY PLACE
TILL THE BUTCHERS CUT HIM DOWN
WOLF IN THE SHADOWS
PENNIES ON A DEAD WOMAN’S EYES
WHERE ECHOES LIVE
TROPHIES AND DEAD THINGS
THE SHAPE OF DREAD
THERE’S SOMETHING IN A SUNDAY
EYE OF THE STORM
THERE’S NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF
DOUBLE (with Bill Pronzini)
LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR WILLIE
GAMES TO KEEP THE DARK AWAY
THE CHESHIRE CAT’S EYE
ASK THE CARDS A QUESTION
EDWIN OF THE IRON SHOES
STANDALONES
CAPE PERDIDO
CYANIDE WELLS
POINT DECEPTION
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The Color of Fear Page 19
