Dying to Have Her by Heather Graham

still a bit shaken by events. I mink I’m going to spend my evening curled up in bed, probably watching Nick-at-Nite reruns. I’d love a rain check, though.”
    “Sure. You’re always a delight, Serena,” Kyle said, smiling. “How about you, Doug?”
    Serena was certain that Allona kicked Doug under the table, warning him he definitely should go.
    “I’ll be there,” Doug agreed pleasantly, shooting Allona a quick—but totally filthy—look.
    Kyle Amesbury rose then. “It is a great soap. And we’ve always been glad to be a sponsor. Keep yourselves safe, huh?” he said, looking at Serena again.
    She didn’t know why she shivered. Because of that feeling she’d had. That strange sensation of being watched. A silly hunch. Caused by things — like this — that people kept saying to her. Caused by the fact that Kyle Amesbury was slimy.
    By Sunday night, Liam was wishing that he had said no. He’d trailed Serena, but learned precious little for his effort. All he’d really been doing was watching her. Yesterday at the cafe, smiling, laughing, sipping coffee, easy and at home with her coworkers—and all of them studying the guy at the window.
    Today he’d resorted to climbing a tree to make sure she was all right with her sister and brother-in-law in attendance. No other way to keep an eye on her out on the patio. And still no way to hear what was being said. He watched Jeff and Melinda, heads together frequently whenever Serena disappeared into the house. Melinda seemed tense. Though older, she sometimes appeared to be a slightly faded copy of her sister. Serena was taller, her hair was redder. Her every movement was vibrant. They were both slim, striking women. Serena had a few more curves. Obvious now, as she walked around the barbecue in a bathing suit.
    He’d talked to Conar last night, and Conar had told him about the way the entire cast had suddenly grown still when Serena had mentioned that Jane Dunne had been smoking in Jennifer’s dressing room.
    Little fool! he’d thought angrily. You set yourself right up!
    Today had bothered him. He’d seen Melinda, her eyes concerned when she watched her sister, anxious, as if she wanted to say something. And once, when Serena had gone inside, she had turned on her husband.
    “Tell her!” Melinda said to Jeff so emphatically that Liam actually heard the words.
    Then Jeff bent low to her, speaking intensely, and when Serena appeared again, they were both smiling.
    Tell her what!
    Jeff was behaving damned suspiciously. He was among the suspects. And they included anyone who might have been in the building between seven-fifteen and nine.
    That meant most of the cast and crew. Including Joe Penny, Andy Larkin, a slew of secretaries and assistants and makeup people.
    Later, from his cell phone in the car, he put in a call to Bill Hutchens.
    “Liam, you know what time it is?” Bill asked.
    “Sorry. You put me on this one, remember?”
    “Olsen put you on it. Where are you? You’re starting to crack up on me.”
    “In my car,” he said briefly.
    “Have you met with Serena yet?” Bill asked.
    “No,” Liam said briefly. “I need to know exactly who was in the building the morning Jane died. Have you got a list?”
    “Yes, of course, I have a list!” Bill said, his tone somewhat defensive.
    “Sorry. You think you could let me see it?”
    “Yeah, of course. I’ll fax it over to your house. Even if it is near midnight. Hey, you know, I am the lead investigator. If you get anything …”
    “You know I’ll work with you.”
    He heard a deep sigh from the other end of the line. “Sorry. I’m frustrated. I hate to say it, but I think this whole thing was an accident. Somebody got sloppy.”
    “Dayton and Garcia deny that emphatically.”
    Bill snorted. “Of course they do! Their jobs are on the line.”
    “Sure. But fax me the list anyway, huh?”
    “You got it. Right away.”
    “Thanks.”
    “No, I’m not such an egotist that I’m not glad for