with the flat edge of a fingernail or 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.'
'Perfume? After shave?'
'No. A rotten smell.' Recalling the odor made her uneasy. 'Putrid.”
Jack's face tightened. 'Like a dead animal?'
'Yes. Exactly. How did you know?'
'Lucky guess.' He now seemed tense. He went into Nellie's bathroom and checked all the bottles. He didn't seem to find what he was looking for. 'Did you catch that odor anywhere else in the house?'
'No. What's so important about an odor?'
He turned to her. 'I'm not sure. But remember what I told you this morning?'
'You mean about not drinking anything strange like Grace's laxative?'
'Right. Did Nellie buy anything like that? Or did anything like it come to the house?'
Gia thought for a moment. 'No...the only thing we've received lately is a box of chocolates from my ex- husband.'
'For you?'
'Hardly! For Nellie. They're her favorite. Seem to be a pretty popular brand. Nellie mentioned them to your Indian lady's brother last night.' Was that just last night? It seemed so long ago. 'He called today to find out where he could order some.'
Jack's eyebrows rose. 'Kusum?'
'You sound surprised.'
'Just that he doesn't strike me as a chocolate fan. More like a brown-rice-and-water type.'
Gia knew what he meant. Kusum had ascetic written all over him.
As they walked back into the hall, Jack said, 'What's this Mr. Grape-grabber look like?'
'Like a purple Snidely Whiplash. I'll get it for you.'
She led Jack up to the third floor and left him outside in the hall while she tiptoed over to the night table and picked up the doll.
'Mommy?'
Gia started at the unexpected sound. Vicky had a habit of doing that. Late at night, when she should be sound asleep, she would let her mother walk in and bend over to kiss her good night; at the last moment she would open her eyes and say, 'Hi.' It was spooky sometimes.
'Yes, honey?'
'I heard you talking downstairs. Is Jack here?'
Gia hesitated, but could see no way to get out of telling her. .
'Yes. But I want you to lie there and go back to—'
Too late. Vicky was out of bed and running for the hall.
'Jack-Jack-Jack!'
