Darby frowned, remembering waking up two mornings ago, oblivious of the fact her life had already changed irrevocably. “That’s odd. The drapes were closed when I woke up.”

“Are you sure?” Signy turned her head quickly.

Darby nodded. “I’m not sure about anything between the dance and waking up the next day, but I am absolutely positive about everything after that.”

Signy’s eyes lit up. “I’ll have the evidence techs collect the living room drapes for any contact DNA.”

“The drapes might have already been closed, preventing the killer seeing inside, and they might have worn gloves.” Elliot doused Darby’s and the detective’s optimism as he pulled on socks and shoes.

“Hey,” Darby realized what they were doing, “you guys don’t need to come with me. I’m sure I can make it down to the lobby without incident.” She rolled her eyes a little because, what? The killer was hanging out in the corridor randomly hoping she’d pass on by? What were the odds?

“I’m heading back to the police station anyway,” Signy said with a shrug.

“I want to stretch my legs.” Elliot gave her a grin.

Darby was pretty sure under other circumstances, these two would be tearing each other’s clothes off, not babysitting her. She wasn’t unaware of the sexual undercurrents that hummed between them even if they pretended to be.

Darby pushed her arm through the sleeve of her parka, pushing her gloves and hat through as she went. Then she dragged her messenger bag, heavy with Eban’s handgun, over her head and waited for them to catch up to her by the door.

Outside, the corridor was empty and she headed toward the stairs. Signy right at her shoulder while Elliot made sure his room was locked before joining them.

Darby waited for him at the exit, tapping her hat and gloves against her free hand. The stairwell was empty, and they reached the lobby without incident. Darby scanned the crowded reception area before heading nervously toward the main doors. It was busy with people trapped by the storm and those out for a drink or dinner.

She put her head down, feeling eyes upon her as a murmur began to travel through the large room.

Eban had promised to be outside by the time they got down here.

She had no warning, no chance to defend herself. A flash of movement in the corner of her eye before a fist connected with her jaw in the same moment the words hit her ears. “You fucking bitch. You fucking murdering bitch.”

Pain flashed through her brain. Hands roughly grabbed her and she was pushed violently to the ground. Her whole body froze with muscle memory.

Another punch landed. A man she didn’t know knelt on top of her, pinning her to the carpet. She thrashed from side to side, panic assaulting every nerve. Then he pulled a knife and held it to her throat. Darby held perfectly still, staring into disturbingly familiar eyes.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Signy Torgerson had pulled her weapon and aimed it at the guy, but the lobby was bustling with innocent bystanders.