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Diana’s position was as much to trap her in the chair as it was to maintain contact.
    Diana took a deep breath and began. “Since we opened late today, I indulged myself by working this morning’s crossword instead of doing a few chores as I probably should have. I was in the kitchen so I switched on the radio to see if I could pick up that talk station in Hartford.”
    “And?” Tori prompted when Diana hesitated.
    “I’m so sorry.” Diana clasped her hands. “There was a report of a woman’s body which was found this morning in a bar on the outskirts of Springfield. They didn’t give out any details other than she appears to have died because something went wrong with a magic trick.”
    Tori fought Diana’s grip unsuccessfully, struggling to break free. “No-o,” she moaned repeatedly, shaking her head in denial. “Oh God, Diana, no!”
    Tori slumped in defeat and would have fallen from the chair if Diana hadn’t been there to catch her. All the terror she’d reined in earlier broke free. Tori was too stunned to try to temper it.
    The pair ended up on the floor. Diana did her best to comfort Tori as she cried hysterically. It seemed forever before she dried her face and could meet Diana’s concerned gaze.
    “Tell me everything they said. All of it.”
    Diana did as she asked although she had already told Tori all that had been in the report.
    “Mindy,” Tori whispered, barely audible. “Her name is Mindy. Oh God, Diana, what am I going to do?”
    Tori let herself be drawn back into Diana’s comforting arms and tried to believe her when she said, “First, we’re going to stop jumping to conclusions. Just because there are similarities to your nightmare doesn’t necessarily mean they’re one and the same.”
    “Diana.”
    “No, listen to me. I was wrong to overact like that,” Diana sounded determined. “I’m sorry I even said anything. I should have waited until they reported more details. Think about it, baby girl. You’ve been having these dreams for years. One of them was bound to resemble an actual crime eventually.”
    Tori nodded even though neither believed it was a simple coincidence. Russ had said they were getting closer to her. It was more likely that she just hadn’t heard of the others.
    “That’s right,” Diana continued. “So for now, we’re going to fix our faces and get to work. We’re going to forget my melodramatic performance and concentrate on the reality of dealing with the group that’ll be barging in here shortly. Or I should say I’m going to handle our bunch of stir-crazies who always forget that there are many days they don’t go out while you go pretend that your greatest desire is to repair every loose dust jacket we have.”
    Tori opened and closed her mouth several times to protest but gave up, accepting she wasn’t in any shape to chat with the regulars. “Do you mind?”
    “Not a bit.” Diana smiled softly. “I even understand but I do want to remind you that I am not fooled, nor have I ever been and that nothing is quite as bad once you’ve talked it over with someone who cares very deeply.”
    They were both surprised when Tori gave Diana as fierce a hug as she’d received earlier. “I love you too, Diana. Thanks for putting up with me.” There was so much more she wanted to say but knew she couldn’t without falling apart again. Sensing she’d understand, Tori released her friend and practically ran from the office.

Chapter Three
     
    Tori took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders as she pulled open the door. She forced herself to enter the lounge where she was to meet the wrong detective.
    At lunch, when she let Diana convince her to speak with her niece’s husband, the idea didn’t feel so wrong. After all, Barry wasn’t a complete stranger. He and Diana’s niece, Carla, had included her on a variety of occasions so she already knew he was a decent man who would treat her with respect. The fact that he was a detective in