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"Wait," she entreated

"Nikki, you should--"

"Come with you," she said firmly

She slipped into the bathrooh the house A suide them quickly to the door

He didn’t touch it at first He waited, listening There was no sound, and the knob didn’t move After a moment, he silently slid the bolt, then opened the door

Outside, the streetlights of New Orleans burned through the night, casting a glow over the brick wall, creating shadows by the tree, the porch and the swing A breeze stirred, bringing a touch of relief from the day’s heat If anyone had been on the porch before, they were gone now

"Silly, huh?" shethe door He cupped her chin "Nothing is silly Anyti, tell ht now"

"Wow I’er," she told him

"Consider hed softly "I meant for dinner"

"It’s alht diner where they estion "We can get soo to my B & B for soet dressed You should, too"

She headed for the stairs, but he hesitated, listening

There was nothing to hear Whether Nikki had iined the earlier sound or not, he didn’t know, but it troubled him

Andrea Ciello had returned to her apartment at about 2:00 am

Soon after that, she had died

At just about the same time

And Brent was certain, just as Nikki was, that Andrea hadn’t brought on her own death

Son of force Froleaned froh her door So either she had forgotten to lock it, or someone had access to her apartht Had so to enter with a key?

"Brent?" Nikki called curiously from upstairs

"I’m on my way," he called back

He checked the lock on the door once again It was secure

He followed her up the stairs

Patricia aith a start, wondering why Then she realized that she was lying alone in bed She got up, found a robe, slipped into it She could hear the old air conditioner thu as shea glass of juice He was barefoot and shirtless, but wearing jeans

"Hey," she said As she walked around the counter, she nearly tripped over a pair of shoes, edged them out of the way and made her way to him

"Did I wake you? Sorry," he said His dark hair wasup behind hiainst his back "You didn’t actually wake me I just woke up, and you weren’t there, and I missed you That’s a little scary, huh?"

He eased around to face her There was a soft sheen of sweat on his body, as if he’d had a nighted in so lately," he told her

"Is it ether?" she asked seriously, her heart thundering painfully

"No, of course not"

"I’irl You can tell me if it’s true"

He touched her cheek with tender affection "You’re the best thing in the world The best thing ever to happen to ht his hand and started to lead hi to make you sleep," she prole" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>