“I’m afraid you’re right,” Jack said quietly.

“We had so many plans,” she continued. “Glass is what you’re supposed to give as a present for fifteenth wedding anniversaries. Once a month, Leon and I were going to host a party for couples who were marking such a happy occasion.” She shook her head. “I suppose that’s going to have to wait until their sixteenth anniversary, now isn’t it?”

“Not if we can apprehend whoever did this,” Jack answered. “We have a great team of detectives—”

“All we know is that they broke through the backdoor and the alarm system was out because of this blackout!” Leon cried. “They didn’t leave any clues! I’d like to sue the power company!”

Calmly Jack said, “Why don’t you two go home and get some rest? I’ll have one of my men stand guard here until tomorrow when we can get the door replaced and when we hopefully have the power back on.”

“I’m not abandoning ship!” Leon cried.

“But, dear, we’re both wearing wet bathing suits,” Zora said practically.

“It’s boiling hot in here! They’ll keep us cool.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

A few moments later, Jack and Keith left the gallery and got into Jack’s car. They both sighed.

“This has been some night,” Jack said.

“It sure has.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“What?” Keith asked anxiously.

“You know Regan called twice about the crazy woman Kit was with,” he said, reaching into his glove compartment. He pulled out the plastic bag with the small stun gun. “Before we got home tonight, someone broke into our loft. Regan walked in on them but didn’t realize it until she went up on the roof when the blackout struck and they locked her out. They made their escape but accidentally left this behind.” He handed the bag to Keith. “I want to bring it to the office and get it traced.”

“Someone broke into your apartment? Are you kidding me?” Keith said as he stared at the weapon.

“I wish I were. Now Regan is out on the hunt with Kit for a wacky woman who brands the men she picks up in bars. And a Chip Jones is somewhere in this city, not knowing how badly his evening is going to end.” Jack started the car.

“Do you want to send detectives over to your apartment now to investigate the break-in?” Keith asked.

Jack shook his head. “That can wait. There’s too much else going on right now. Sometimes these wackos go over the edge. I’d like to help Regan locate this poor guy before he ends up in a dark alley.”

21

L orraine and Clay were passing through the lobby of the Treetops Hotel when the hotel greeter, a man in his fifties with a smooth face and a blank expression, clad in an outfit that resembled that of a Buckingham Palace guard, stopped them.

“Miss Lily,” he said solicitously. “Are you enjoying your stay here at the Treetops?”