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“What is it?” said Maura.
“He’s here.” Amy backed away from the window. “He found me.”
“What?”
Amy turned, wild-eyed, to Maura. “The man from the cemetery!”
Daniel crossed to the window and peered out at the backyard. “I don’t see anyone out there.”
“He was by the tree, looking at me!”
Daniel headed for the door. “I’m going outside.”
“Wait,” Maura called. “Daniel?”
She was right behind him as he ran out the back door, into a night so thick with humidity it was like walking into a wall of steam. Together they stood on the lawn, scanning the darkness. From inside the house came the sound of jazz and the muffled voices of the Antrims’ guests, but outside there was only the chirp of crickets. Maura turned and saw Amy standing in the study window, anxiously watching them.
“There’s no one here,” said Daniel.
“He had time to run.”
“If anyone was here at all.”
She looked at him and said quietly: “You think she imagined it?”
“Maybe she saw her own reflection. Thought she saw someone out here.”
Maura walked across the damp grass and crouched beneath the tree. “Daniel,” she said quietly. “She didn’t imagine it. Therewassomeone here.”
He dropped down beside her and stared at what was clearly pressed into the soil: shoe prints.
She pulled out her cell phone and called Jane.
—
“A fitting end to acrazy night,” said Jane. “First my mom disarms a man with a gun. And now Amy’s stalker seems to be back.”
“You neglected to mention my triumphant debut on the piano,” said Maura.
“Oh. Yeah.” Jane sighed. “I’m sorry about cutting out of your concert early, Maura. But when I read that text from my mom—”
“I’m just kidding. Mom emergencies always take precedence.”
They crouched side by side in the semidarkness of the Antrims’ backyard. It was now midnight, the other guests had left except for her and Daniel, and the neighborhood had fallen silent. Maura looked down at the hem of her silk skirt, which was now damp and probably stained from the wet grass. Every investigation had its price, but this one was more expensive than most.
Maura rose back to her feet and her thighs ached from crouching so long. “He knows where she lives. He could show up again at any time.”
Jane stood up as well. “Her parents are scared. And pissed as hell.”
“Surely they don’t blame you.”
“Who else are they going to blame? Their daughter’s got a stalker and I can’t seem to catch him.” Jane turned to look at theflashing lights of the police cruiser parked on the street. “You and Daniel didn’t see anyone at all?”
“No. Amy’s the only one who saw him. By the time we got outside, he was gone. With all the guests, there were at least a dozen cars parked on the street, so his car wouldn’t have been noticed. From here, he would have had a clear view into the study.” Maura turned to the window, where the lights were still on inside. “While we were there, looking at the painting, he was right here in the yard. Watching her.”
“Detective Rizzoli?”
They turned to see Julianne emerge from the back door and walk toward them across the lawn. The night was warm but she hugged herself as though chilled as she stood half in darkness, her face eclipsed by the shadow of a lilac bush.
