The Color of Fear

by Marcia Muller

  “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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