“None that I see,” Regan answered.

“Just like last night.”

“What happened?” Lydia cried, rushing across the hall with Maldwin right behind. They were both clad in their pj’s and robes. Lydia’s getup, of course, was worthy of a Las Vegas lounge act.

“Miss Lydia woke me when she heard noises in the hallway,” Maldwin volunteered.

“Hellooooo.” It was now Daphne’s turn to make an entrance. “I just got back from my movie shoot and heard at the front desk that there was some excitement up here.” She looked at the mess all over the living room. “When will it end?”

And she doesn’t even know what happened at Ben’s, Regan thought.

Since Daphne’s question was rhetorical, no one answered. But Maldwin felt the need to say something.

“Perhaps I should prepare some tea for all of us.”

“Not in here,” one of the cops advised. “This is a crime scene.”

“I had no intention of preparing it here, sir,” Maldwin replied stiffly. “My kitchen and special teapots are across the hall.”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Lydia said. “Do you need any help?”

“Not at all,” Maldwin said. “Whenever you’re ready, come over.”

The sight of him, bowing in his robe before he exited, almost made Regan laugh.

“Did you bring the sheep back?” Thomas brusquely asked Daphne.

“You’ll never guess …” Daphne began.

“I guess that means no.”

“My acting career has just received a renewed blast.”

“Is Bah-Bah your new agent?” Thomas inquired.

“I resent that. But the sheep are starring in the movie too. We have more scenes to film tomorrow, so the sheep are spending the night at the director’s apartment.”

“I want them back for the party,” Thomas warned.

“They’ll be back.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Why don’t you all go across the hall?” Regan suggested. “I’ll be there soon. I want to talk to these officers for a few minutes.”

“I could use a cup of tea,” Daphne said.

After the group exited, Officer Angelo turned to Regan. “Whoever did this is pretty determined. I don’t think you should stay in here tonight.”

“I don’t want to.”

“What will you do?”

“I’m sure one of them has a room I can crash in,” Regan said as she pointed across the hall.

Angelo smiled at her. “Lucky you.”

49

We’re never going to be rich,” Georgette sobbed as she lay in Blaise’s arms in their lumpy bed.

“It’s Regan Reilly’s fault,” he said. “Who would have thought she’d have camped out there?”

“She never mentioned it when we were talking.”

“Well … by the way, don’t give out so much information. You were getting a little too chatty.”

“She liked the perfume you gave me.”

“Don’t wear it again.”

Georgette lifted her head and looked Blaise in the eye. “Why not?”

“Why do you think?”

“I don’t know.”