There wasn’t a sound from inside. No blare of music, no click of work boots on wood. Surely he hadn’t gone to bed, she told herself. It was barely ten. She knocked again, louder, and wondered if she should call out his name.

A door opened—not his, but the one just down the hall. Keely poked her head out. After one quick glance at Sydney, the friendliness washed out of her face.

“He’s not here,” she said. Her champagne voice had gone flat. Keely didn’t know the details, but she was sure of one thing. This was the woman who had put Mikhail in a miserable mood for the past few days.

“Oh.” Sydney’s hand dropped to her side. “Do you know where he is?”

“Out.” Keely struggled not to notice that there was misery in Sydney’s eyes, as well.

“I see.” Sydney willed her shoulders not to slump. “I’ll just wait.”

“Suit yourself,” Keely said with a shrug. What did she care if the woman was obviously in love? This was the woman who’d hurt her pal. As an actress Keely prided herself on recognizing the mood beneath the actions. Mikhail might have been fiercely angry over the past few days, but beneath the short temper had been raw, seeping hurt. And she’d put it there. What did it matter if she was suffering, too?

Of course it mattered. Keely’s sentimental heart went gooey in her chest.

“Listen, he’ll probably be back soon. Do you want a drink or something?”

“No, really. I’m fine. How’s, ah, your apartment coming?”

“New stove works like a champ.” Unable to be anything but kind, Keely leaned on the jamb. “They’ve still got a little of this and that—especially with the damage those idiots did.” She brightened. “Hey, did you know they arrested a guy?”

“Yes.” Janine had told her about Lloyd’s arrest when she’d called in. “I’m sorry. He was only trying to get back at me.”

“It’s not your fault the guy’s a jerk. Anyway, they sucked up the water, and Mik mixed up some stuff to get the paint off the brick. They had to tear out the ceiling in the apartment below that empty place. And the floors buckled up pretty bad.” She shrugged again. “You know, Mik, he’ll fix it up.”

Yes, she knew Mik. “Do you know if there was much damage to Mrs. Wolburg’s things?”

“The rugs are a loss. A lot of other things were pretty soggy. They’ll dry out.” More comfortable, Keely took a bite of the banana she’d been holding behind her back. “Her grandson was by. She’s doing real good. Using a walker and everything already, and crabbing about coming home. We’re planning on throwing her a welcome-back party next month. Maybe you’d like to come.”