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"I wasn’t surprised I told you, I saw you two together"

"We weren’t together"

"She wants you to visit her palazzo"

"I’ve seen her palazzo"

"Okay, so she wants you to see her palazzo with her in it" He didn’t reply as they kept walking Nearing the Danieli, he asked her, "And you have no interest inthe conversation Yes, maybe once she could have been If she had met him under different circumstances If she didn’t dream of Steven, if

"I don’t trust you," she said

"But you have to trust ive me a reason to do so" They’d reached the hotel Jordan went through the revolving door As she asked for her key, Jared was close behind her "We’ll have toat Tiff’s is going to be a pain"

She turned and looked at hio I do She’s becoood"

"Hey, she’s been your client, throwing lots of money your way"

"She’s still not the best social companion"

"She’s blunt and honest and I like her But I won’t be angry if you don’t go"

"Oh, no Cindy and I will go" He glanced over his shoulder where Cindy and Ragnor were talking She thought that his jaw clenched, and she realized that Jared wasn’t as concerned for her as he was hostile to Ragnor

"Okay, the lobby in thirty nor, politely thanked hi it, and hurried up the stairs

Apparently, Cindy, who did like Ragnor, wassure that he also knew they were to meet in the lobby in thirty minutes

Jordan barely had time to jump in and out of the shower and dress But the fantasy costume was easy, and it came with a bejewelled tiara-like headpiece andit, touched her cheeks with glitter makeup, and was ready She started for the door, then hesitated

Thecopy of the detective’s vampire book on the desk, next to her laptop She walked over to it and flipped to the copyright page The book was being published by so, New Orleans There was an E- her little jeweled purse, she pulled out her chair and typed out a quick E- hireatly appreciate a chance to talk to him, or chat over the Internet

Satisfied, she sent the E-nor was in a typical black cape and top hat; he was appearing in Edwardian fashion this evening

Cindy was gorgeous in an elaborate Elizabethan costuain in dottore adornment

"I’m pretty sure I know the way," Jordan told the others "But ain?"

"I knohere her palazzo is," Ragnor said

"Then you should lead the way," Cindy said and yawned "My lord! All these parties! I’ half the day away, and I’ tired, Cindy seemed to be cheerful Jared seenor was quiet, yet watchful, Jordan thought, and unerringly polite and courteous to Cindy

They continued to talk, discussing the Bridge of Sighs and the prisoners who knew they were doomed once they crossed it, and famous residents of the prisons, such as Casanova

Jordan kept on ahead, suddenly anxious to reach Tiff’s But when they arrived, and she tried the big brass knocker, no one answered

Jared pounded on the door as well They all stood aardly in the street

"Well, great, she’s invited us all over, and she isn’t here Are you sure this is the right tiht?" Jared said to Jordan

"Before Anna Maria’s party," Ragnor said "That could be no other tiain They waited

"Well this is ridiculous!" Jared said

"I’m worried about her," Jordan said

"Worried about her!" Jared exclaih half of Venice, and now she isn’t here!"

"But don’t you see, that’s the point! She really wanted us over," Jordan argued She pounded the door again, then stood back in the calle, looking upward "Tiff!"

"Jordan, if she can’t hear those brass knockers pounding, she can’t hear you calling," Jared said He glanced at his watch "We’ll give her five minutes"

They remained aardly at the entry to the palazzo

"I think we should call the police," Jordan said

"The police!" Jared scoffed "Because she forgot she invited us to a cocktail party?"

"She didn’t forget; I know it," Jordan argued