“Is that possible?”

Gia’s immediate reaction was anger that Jack could even consider such a thing, then realized that to someone who didn’t know Nellie and Grace the way she did, it might seem as good an explanation as any.

“No! Utterly impossible!”

“Okay. I’ll take your word for it. How about the alarm system?”

“The first floor was set. As you know, they had the upper levels disconnected. “

“So it’s the same as with Grace: The Lady Vanishes.”

“I don’t think this is the time for cute movie references, Jack.”

“I know,” he said apologetically. “It’s just my frame of reference. Let’s take a look at her room.”

As Gia led him up to the second floor, she realized that for the first time since she had seen Nellie’s empty bed she was beginning to relax. Jack exuded competence. There was an air about him that made her feel that things were finally under control here, that nothing was going to happen without his say-so.

He wandered through Nellie’s bedroom in a seemingly nonchalant manner, but she noticed that his eyes constantly darted about, and that he never touched anything with his fingertips—with the side or back of a hand, with the flat edge of a fingernail or a knuckle, but never in any way that might conceivably leave a print. All of which served as an uncomfortable reminder of Jack’s state of mind and his relationship with the law.

He nudged the French doors open with a foot. Warm humid air swam into the room.

“Did the cops unlock this?”

Gia shook her head. “No. It wasn’t even latched, just closed over.”

Jack stepped out onto the tiny balcony and looked over the railing.

“Just like Grace’s,” he said. “Did they check below?”

“They were out there with flashlights—said there was no sign that a ladder or the like had been used.”

“Just like Grace.” He came in and elbowed the doors closed. “Doesn’t make sense. And the oddest part is that you wouldn’t have found out she was gone until sometime tomorrow if it hadn’t been for Vicky’s nightmare.” He looked at her. “You’re sure it was a nightmare? Is it possible she heard something that woke her up and scared her and you only thought it was a nightmare?”

“Oh, it was a nightmare, all right. She thought Mr. Grape-grabber was stealing Ms. Jelliroll.” Gia’s insides gave a small lurch as she remembered Vicky’s scream—”She even thought she saw him in the backyard.”

Jack stiffened. “She saw someone?”

“Not someone. Mr. Grape-grabber. Her doll.”

“Go through it all step by step, from the time you awoke until you called the police.”

“I went through it all for those two cops.”

“Do it again for me. Please. It may be important.”

Gia told him of awakening to Vicky’s screams, of looking out the window and seeing nothing, of going down to Nellie’s room…

“One thing I didn’t mention to the police was the smell in the room.”