Dangerous Lover by MAGGIE SHAYNE Page B

dialed, about nine-thirty. It was to Tessa Monro.”
    â€œShe’s a friend of Selene’s,” Vidalia said.
    The chief lifted his brows. “You know her, Vi?”
    â€œSure, as well as I know any of Selene’s friends.”
    â€œAnd how well is that?”
    She shrugged. “Nice girl, married to a nice young man name of Chet. Oh, such a sweet young pair. Just married last year. Selene was maid of honor at their wedding, matter of fact.”
    â€œI know her, slightly,” Maya put in. “I agree with Mom, she’s sweet.”
    â€œAny chance she’s a Witch?”
    Both women frowned at him.
    â€œWell, it fits. After their little party busted up and Selene refused to tell us who all was out there with her, the first person she calls is this Tessa. Seems like she might have been involved.”
    â€œAt the very least, she might know where Selene is hiding out,” Jimmy said.
    Nodding, the chief said, “Get an address and then take a run over there, Corona. See if she’ll talk to you. And take Benton with you to get the husband out of earshot. If she is one of these Wicca types, she might be as secretive about it as Selene was.”
    Jimmy nodded, grabbed Colby and headed to the car.
    Vidalia was still rocking, still holding an ice pack to the back of her head. But then she stopped all at once, and lifted her eyes to the chief’s. “Earl, if this break-in is connected to that stabbing, then…that means it was the killer who was in my house tonight, doesn’t it?”
    â€œHe’s not a killer, Vi. That stranger didn’t die and he’s not going to.”
    â€œWell it wasn’t Selene who broke in here, tonight. And it wasn’t the stranger himself—he’s in a hospital bed. So it would stand to reason—”
    â€œLook, Vi, there’s no reason to jump to conclusions here. We’ll get to the bottom of this soon enough.”
    â€œWhy would the killer come here? Why would he be going through Selene’s room? How would he even know which room was hers?”
    â€œThe Samantha Stevens Bewitched poster on her wall might have been a clue,” Maya muttered. But then she frowned at her husband. “But Mom has a point. What would that guy want here? What was he looking for?”
    Caleb and the chief exchanged a quick look, and Vi knew they had notions, but they weren’t about to share them.
    â€œYou don’t have to tell me, boys. I’m not an idiot. If that killer came here, he was looking for witnesses to what he did to that stranger last night. And that means my daughter is in danger.”
    â€œWe can’t be sure of that, Vidalia,” Caleb said softly.
    But Vi wasn’t listening. She got to her feet, and paced the room. “Selene likely brought all of this trouble on herself by tempting the devil the way she’s been doing. Dabbling in Witchcraft of all things!”
    â€œMom—” Maya said.
    â€œBut that doesn’t matter. My girl is in trouble, and you all know full well I’ll stand against anyone—against Lucifer himself—to protect her.”
    â€œThat’s good, Mom. And I don’t doubt it. Now I have just one question,” Maya said.
    â€œWhat’s that, daughter?”
    â€œYou’d stand against the devil himself for Selene. But would you do something a whole lot easier? Like read a skinny little eighty-page book?” She held the book out to Vidalia as she spoke. The one Selene had left on the kitchen table with her note. “It would take you all of a half hour, I’ll bet. Is she worth that much to you?”
    Â 
    Jimmy Corona and Colby Benton pulled into the driveway of the small Cape Cod home of Chet and Tessa Monro. It rested at the edge of town, and the lights were all turned off. Two vehicles rested in the driveway. They pulled their cruiser up alongside the curb and shut it off, then walked in tandem to the front