She gave a little shrug. "Thanks for telling me your story."

"No problem. I know you can keep a secret."

She made a little face at him. "Very funny." She cocked her head to one side as she studied him. "Don't you worry at all that you're too personally involved with Evan? That you won't be able to see him as clearly as you should?"

"No, I don't worry about that. I know him better than anyone, and he's mine. I had him in jail a couple of weeks ago, you know. I thought it was over. Unfortunately, I left him at the jail and he managed to trick an incompetent cop out of his uniform and his badge."

"How did he do that?"

"He asked for a cup of coffee. When the cop came close, he grabbed him around the neck, hitting two key pressure points, and the guy went down without a whimper. I won't leave Evan alone again. I won't take my eyes off him until he's locked up for good."

"You're awfully cocky for a man trapped in a room of mirrors," she pointed out. "That ego we were talking about."

"You're the reason we're trapped," he grumbled. "It was my personal involvement with you that clouded my judgment, not my relationship with Evan. I followed you in here to protect you. If you'd trusted me enough to tell me where you were going, neither one of us would be here."

"I know that. I'm sorry," she added guiltily.

"Me, too."

"Just about being trapped, or about last night?"

He leaned forward, pulling her hair away from her ear so he could whisper, "Not for a second." He slid his tongue around the edge of her earlobe. He heard her soft intake of breath, felt her heart quicken along with his own. She put her hand on his shoulder. He wasn't sure if she wanted to pull him closer or push him away. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to make a choice as a voice called out, "Hello? Is someone in there?"

J.T. jumped to his feet. "We're locked in here," he yelled. He grabbed Christina and pulled her to her feet.

"What happened to the knob?" the man asked.

"It came off," J.T. replied.

"Stand back."

A moment later a construction worker pried open the door with a crowbar. "How did you two get in here? This building is supposed to be locked up."

"The door was open," Christina said. "We just thought we'd take a peek inside."

"Didn't you see the sign? We're closed for remodeling."

"How did you know we were here?" J.T. asked, sure he already knew the answer.

"Some dude called my boss and said he thought he saw someone come in here."

"We're really sorry," Christina said. "We didn't mean to get trapped. I opened one door and suddenly I was on a slide."

"Yeah, well, don't do it again," he said gruffly. "Next time I'll call the cops."

J.T. didn't bother to flash his badge or explain. He didn't want to delay getting out of the building. The construction worker escorted them all the way up to the front door and out to the pier. J.T. was happy to be back outside with the wind on his face and a chance to regain control of the game.

Christina checked her watch. "It's almost eleven thirty. I think we can just make it to Barclay's before the diamond goes up for bid."

"I'm sure we'll make it. In fact, I think we're right on schedule."

"What does that mean?"

"Evan called that guy to let us out. He didn't want us to be trapped forever, just long enough to set his plan into motion. Now he wants us at the auction house."

"Why?"

"Only one reason I can think of," he said grimly. "So we can see him steal the diamond."

Evan walked into the showroom at Barclay's. The auction had begun thirty minutes earlier, and every seat in the room was taken. Clusters of bidders stood in the back, paddles in one hand, catalogs in the other. At the front of the room the auctioneer stood at a raised podium with the Barclay's insignia on the front. Behind the auctioneer was an electronic board that continually updated the latest bid, be it on the phone, the Internet, or in the room. The individual lots were brought into the room via a wood-paneled revolving door next to the podium. With each turn of that door, the energy and excitement in the room grew more palpable. They were getting close to the big-ticket items, the ones everyone had come here to see or to buy.

Evan loved these moments right before the kill. His heart was beginning to speed up. Adrenaline surged through his bloodstream. He felt completely and utterly alive. For the first time since he'd begun this game, he had difficulty keeping his face composed, dispassionate, his stance calm and relaxed, but he'd always had complete and utter control over his body, his expressions, and his voice. Today was no different. He would not slip up. He would not make a mistake. He would keep to the plan.

As the auctioneer rattled off bids rapid-fire, his mind drifted to Jenny. He could imagine how she would react when he showed her the fruit of his labors. Her beautiful hazel eyes would widen with amazement. She would finally understand that he was doing this one for her, just for her. He'd waited a long time to have her.

Jenny didn't know how difficult it had been to walk away from her all those years ago. She didn't understand the sacrifice he had made to let her have her life. He'd never been noble or generous, except with her. But it had become clear to him in recent months that Jenny had no life without him. She'd never married, never had children. She'd been waiting for him to come back. She just hadn't had the courage to tell him. Now he knew the truth. And he would have her. They would be together. He would dress her in designer clothes, adorn her with exquisite and expensive diamonds. He would take her around the world and show her everything she had never seen. He would no longer be alone in his adventures; he would have Jenny by his side. It was almost time.

He started as the door opened behind him. Alexis Kensington entered the room. She looked tired, as if she'd been up half the night. He suspected that was exactly what had happened. He knew she'd spent most of the morning answering questions about the tragic death of David Padlinsky. Evan smiled to himself. The police had helped him out this morning, keeping everyone at Barclay's busy with the investigation into the hit-and-run accident. It seemed that David and Alexis had had a relationship. Who knew? Certainly not the employees, who'd also spent most of the morning huddling around cubicles and hallways, gossiping about the latest events instead of doing their jobs.

God, he loved distractions. It was remarkably easy to turn someone's head in a different direction. So many people thought that things happened by chance, that fate stepped in and took what it desired. It was never fate or chance. It was usually him-or someone like him-someone who moved in the shadows, who manipulated the game of life without anyone even knowing they were playing-like Christina Alberti.

He figured that J.T. had told her about their history. Christina had been warned to look out for him, to keep her wits about her, which, of course, she hadn't done when she'd followed an anonymous note to a deserted location. He could still hear the panic in her voice when she'd realized that her father wasn't coming, that she'd been trapped in the room of mirrors. He'd always enjoyed irony, and he loved the thought of J.T. seeing his powerless, impotent image in the mirror every time he turned around. J.T. wouldn't be able to escape his own ineptness. Ah, life was sweet sometimes. If only he'd had more time, he would have stuck around to enjoy their quandary.

But he would have the pleasure of their company again-soon. He had made sure of that. It would be amusing to show his real face to Christina, to reveal his true nature. She would be shocked to know that they had stood face-to-face and spoken to each other. She would swear to J.T. that she had had no idea, that she had been completely fooled. That would be the truth. She had been so busy chasing her father, she hadn't seen what was right in front of her.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He ignored it, knowing who was calling. He would let her sweat it out. She should have more faith in him. He never failed, and today would be no exception. In a few hours they would both get what they wanted-not that she would be able to keep the diamond. He had other plans.

Folding his arms across his chest, he leaned against the wall, watching and waiting.

"And now we move on to Lot Sixty-four," the auctioneer said. "A painting by Biagio d'Antonio, entitled Madonna and Child in a Landscape, on the turntable now." He paused as the panel slowly turned to reveal the painting on an easel. "This is a beautiful example of the Florentine Renaissance style and reveals the strong influence of Pesellino and Fra Filippo Lippi," he continued. "Let's open the floor at fifty thousand. Who will start us off?" He pointed to a gentleman at the front. "Fifty thousand on my left. Do I hear fifty-five? Yes, we have fifty-five in the room. Sixty on the phone," he continued, calling out the escalating bids. He looked to the room, then to the bank of employees working the phones and the two women monitoring the Internet bids. Finally the bidding began to slow down. "All done then?" he asked. "Fair warning-I'm selling now to the lady on my left for ninety-two thousand."

A smattering of polite applause followed his words. Then he moved on to the next lot.

Evan checked the catalog in hand-six more items and then the diamond. It was time to make his move. He walked out of the showroom and turned down a long hallway. The door at the end was marked PRIVATE. He didn't hesitate to open it, and not one of the people he passed gave him a second look.

10.

Christina tapped out the number for Barclay's on her cell phone as J.T. drove them across town. They'd left her car at the pier, figuring it would be faster to go together. Unfortunately, the midday traffic was slow and heavy, making her painfully aware of the passing seconds. "Answer," she muttered.

"Put it on speaker," J.T. said. "I want to hear what's going on."

She punched the speaker button just as Kelly Huang answered the phone.

"It's Christina," she said.

"Oh, my God, where are you?" Kelly asked. "Alexis is going crazy. We've been calling you for hours."

"I know. I got stuck somewhere. It's a long story, but I couldn't get to my phone."

"Are you all right? When you didn't show up this morning, we all wondered if something had happened to you. Did you hear about David? He was killed last night-right in front of the auction house. A hit-and-run. The police have been here half the morning. There are so many rumors about what happened I can't keep up with them all."

"Like what?"

"Like maybe David was having an affair with Alexis. Can you believe that? Oh, and I also heard that David was trying to steal the diamond and someone ran him down so he couldn't do it. I don't know what's going on. When are you getting here?"

"Hopefully in the next ten minutes. How is the auction going?"

"Very well. It's standing room only. I have to go."

"Wait. The diamond hasn't come up yet, has it?"

"Not yet. I think there are about six lots to go. I hope you can get here by then."

"Me, too," Christina said, ending the call. She glanced at J.T. "Lots of rumors, huh?"

"Makes me wonder who is starting them," J.T. said. "If Evan is working at Barclay's, he could be stirring the pot, using David's accident to his advantage."

"Or Evan might have been the one who ran David down." Now that she'd heard Evan's evil laugh and had a taste of his madness, it was easier to believe that he was capable of murder.

"I'm not discounting anything," J.T. said tersely. "I just want to get to the damn auction house before Evan takes off with the diamond." He slammed his hand down on the steering wheel as he hit another red light.

J.T. was all business now, grim, determined, and annoyed-with her as well as himself, she suspected. If he hadn't followed her to the fun house, he wouldn't have gotten caught in Evan's trap. She'd been so sure the meeting at the fun house had been another one of her father's dramatic, clandestine meetings that she'd been stupid enough to go into an abandoned building. Now she was in danger of being fired. She had to get to Barclay's before the diamond went up for bid so that she could...Well, what would she do? Did she let the diamond go up for auction? It seemed the easiest course at this point. And the fact that Evan had trapped them in the fun house implied that the diamond at Barclay's was the real thing. She felt marginally better at that thought. She still had big problems. If the diamond was real and Evan intended to steal it, how were they going to stop him? Evan had a huge head start and obviously a detailed plan in mind.

"Who do you think Evan is impersonating?" she asked J.T. "If you had to guess. If it's someone at the auction house, who would it be?"

"Evan told you that he's spoken to you at work. Does that ring any bells?"

"I talk to a lot of people at Barclay's every day-the security guards, the department specialists and their assistants, the auctioneer and his staff, the front-desk staff, the guys in shipping and receiving who unload the trucks, who package items to be shipped...." Her voice trailed off as she became overwhelmed with possibilities. "It could be any one of those people."

J.T. hit the gas as the light turned green. "Something else worries me. Your father."

"What about my father?"

"If you see him at Barclay's, Christina, you have to tell me. You can't keep it to yourself, can't try to get him out of the way, or hustle him out the door without anyone knowing. Promise me. If he's working with Evan, he's not going to be any use to Evan after he has the diamond. Don't think that letting your dad go is a good idea."

Christina hesitated. What he said made sense, but she had to protect her father, didn't she?

"Promise me," J.T. ordered, a ruthless note in his voice.

"Will you promise me you won't arrest him?" she countered.

"As long as he doesn't have the diamond in his possession, I have nothing against him."

He'd thrown her a bone, and she'd take it. "Okay, then I'll tell you if I see him. But I don't think he'll be there."

"I hope you're right." J.T. pulled the car into a parking spot a block away from Barclay's. "It will be faster to walk from here. Everything looks packed up ahead."

They got out of the car and ran, not walked, down the street. When they entered the building, they found the lobby area as well as the adjacent exhibit room packed with people. She grabbed J.T.'s hand and pulled him into the showroom, desperate to see what lot they were on. The electronic board told them there were three more lots to go before the diamond. "We're in time," she said thankfully.

J.T. glanced around the room, his sharp eye searching for anyone or anything out of the ordinary. She followed his gaze, almost afraid to look at the male faces, terrified she would see her father in the crowd. Unfortunately, it was difficult to identify anyone. There were too many people in the room. One thing was clear, however: No one appeared worried or stressed, at least not here on the main floor. There was an air of excitement and anticipation, but nothing else. She needed to get behind the scenes.

"Let's go around the back," she said.

As they left the showroom, Christina led J.T. down a long, narrow hallway and through a door marked PRIVATE. She had taken no more than three steps into the room when she came face-to-face with Alexis. The older woman's face was pinched and pale and downright furious when her gaze locked on Christina.

"Where have you been?" Alexis demanded. "I've left you a half dozen messages. I had to reassign all your duties. This is completely unacceptable, Christina."

"I know and I'm sorry. It's a long story, but I couldn't get to my phone. Is everything all right?"

"No, it's not all right. And why is your father calling me? You assured me when I hired you that your father was out of the country and would never in any way be connected to your work here."

"My father called you?" Christina asked in astonishment. "What did he say?"

"He left me a message on my voice mail, something cryptic about putting things back where they belong. So help me, Christina, if your father tries to mess with this auction, I will have both your heads."

Before Christina could reply, Sylvia Davis interrupted them. "Alexis, I need you. Christina, you finally showed up, huh? We really had to scramble without you."

Christina would have offered another apology but the two women were already moving away. She had intended to tell Alexis about Evan, but the news of a phone call from her father had completely thrown her offtrack. Why would her father call Alexis? And what had he meant? That he was planning to steal the diamond? Why would he warn her in advance?

"Christina." J.T.'s sharp voice brought her back to the present. "Focus."

"Why would my dad call Alexis?"

"Maybe he didn't. Maybe it was Evan, giving Alexis one more distraction."

"That makes more sense than my father trying to warn someone," she muttered, hoping J.T. was right. It still bothered her that Evan had been able to get her father's voice on tape and leave voice mails on her boss's phone. He really was clever. Was there any way they could stop him?

"Where's the diamond right now?" J.T. asked, his impatient gaze roaming the room.

She looked around and saw a huddle of important men in one corner. "I'm guessing it's right there."

As they approached, Russell Kenner stepped forward, giving them a tense nod.

"Everything still all right?" J.T. asked.

"So far," Russell replied.

Christina muttered hello to the three other men guarding the diamond, Luigi Murano, Stefano Benedetti, and Jeremy Kensington. Apparently no one was leaving anything to chance. She stepped forward to look at the diamond, which was protected in a glass case on the table. The yellow stone glittered in the light. For an odd moment she almost felt as if it were winking at her.

She straightened and looked around the rest of the room, wondering if Evan was one of the employees standing just a few feet away, dealing with the items that had already been sold, finishing up paperwork, and preparing for packaging and delivery. She thought she knew everyone, but certainly not that well.

She stepped back from the group, studying the television monitor that was mounted from the ceiling in front of them on which she could see the action in the main showroom. They were getting closer to the diamond-just a few minutes to go. She glanced back at J.T. He'd made a pass through the room, pausing to talk to one of the workers nearby. She made her way over to him as he finished his conversation. "Do you see Evan?" she whispered.