The Dead of Winter by Jane A. Adams

strange in so massive a house – that had assailed her on the upper floors now seemed to have spread to the lower. Smothering quiet had descended, strange after the noise and bustle of the day, and Rina felt as though a warm fog had settled upon the place, the doors too thick and heavy to permit the reassuring kitchen sounds to escape, deadening even the conversation in the big room where the others had gathered.
    Joy looked up with a smile as she entered. ‘I’ve got a plate for you. Hope you like everything.’
    â€˜I’m sure I will.’
    â€˜And I’ve got a pot of tea. Thought it might be a bit too early for the wine.’
    Rina sat down beside her at one of the little tables. ‘Are you on your own?’
    â€˜Only just. Tim’s gone off with the camera people to check the set-up – again. Terry went to call his agent from his room. The mobiles don’t seem to be working very well. He thinks the bad weather is affecting the signal – not that it was ever great here. I didn’t really feel like joining the conversation over there.’ She nodded to where Rav, Viv and Professor Franklin were debating something with Edwin Holmes. The old man seemed to be holding his own, his voice quiet and insistent; from time to time objections would be raised before he took control again.
    â€˜Gail?’ Rina asked.
    â€˜Oh, gone off to prepare, I think. She took a tray to her room. Ah, there’s Terry. He’s surprisingly nice, isn’t he? I thought he’d be a real diva. You know, I’ve quite enjoyed today.’
    â€˜So have I,’ Rina agreed. She poked at the food on her plate, not sure if she was hungry. ‘It’s been unexpectedly interesting. It’s made me think, though, about life and so on.’
    Joy looked puzzled. ‘Life?’
    â€˜More what I want from it. I think I’ve just realized how much I miss working, being out doing things. Strange, isn’t it, the way ideas suddenly crystallize?’
    â€˜I guess it is. I guess Terry Beal has been more of an influence than I thought.’ She smiled, seeing the subject of their conversation approaching them.
    â€˜Influence? What kind of influence? Bad, I hope.’ He sat down, then got up again. His restless energy was palpable. ‘You know, I think I’ll get more food. Melissa is urging us all to eat, eat, eat, you sort of feel you have to oblige. Can I get you ladies anything?’
    â€˜Chocolate cake, please,’ Joy said. ‘It isn’t as good as the Montmorencys’, but it isn’t bad.’
    â€˜I must meet these paragons of the kitchen.’ He disappeared for a moment and came back with another tray: food for himself and cake for Joy. ‘In fact, I’ve just been chatting to my agent about a certain lady detective, and we both feel that the time might be right for a relaunch.’
    â€˜Really?’ Joy was clearly impressed.
    â€˜Oh, no,’ Rina said. ‘I didn’t mean you to—’
    â€˜Nonsense, this would be a great thing to happen. Now, how would you feel about a guest appearance from, well, a semi-famous action hero type? My agent likes it, says she wants to meet when we finish with this, chase some ideas around and maybe start pitching in the next month or so.’
    It wasn’t often that Rina was stunned, but Terry had managed it.
    â€˜You’re serious about this?’ Joy was astonished and, Rina could hear, very pleased. ‘Rina, you’ve got to admit it would be great.’
    They turned to look at her. ‘Slow it down,’ Rina ordered. ‘Terry. I—’
    â€˜Rina Martin, you are a talented woman as well as being a truly nice one.’ Terry took her hand. ‘We both know we’re a very long way from making this happen, but let me give it a shot? Yes?’
    Rina found she was gaping at him. She shut her mouth with a snap and then nodded. ‘Why not,’ she