he pulled away from the crowd.

A good thing Elton had stepped in, she admitted, because she didn't have a clue how she was going to prove her husband innocent.

An answer they would have crucified her with.

THIRTY-FOUR Monday, Ocotober 27, 2003 2:45 p.m. Over the next several hours, the promise she had flung at the reporters became a firm plan. Jane had decided that she would continue the investigation she had begun that night in Ian's office. She would call Gretchen Cole, Sharon Smith and Lisette Gregory, her art subjects who had become Ian's patients. She would question them about their relationship with her husband and how they had come to see him professionally.

Hopefully, they would vouch for Ian's professionalism.

She needed to discover the ident.i.ty of the woman who had stolen the file, though she had no clear idea of

how to do that. She had also decided to pay Ian's ex-wife a visit. Face the beast, if the things he had said about the woman were true. As for the information she had discovered in the PDA, she thought she might call La Plaza, Ian's ex-partners and the office manager at the Dallas Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

None of her plans would prove Ian innocent in the eyes of the law, but they would go a long way toward rea.s.suring her. And, if used by Elton, a long way toward creating doubt in the eyes of the jury. Jane entered the studio and found Ted standing before Anne. "She's beautiful," he said, not taking his gaze from the sculpture.

"She is, isn't she?" Jane crossed to stand beside him. "I spent the entire weekend on her."

"I didn't think you would be able to work. You know, because of Ian."

"Working saved me. I think I would have gone crazy without it."

He turned, met her eyes. "If you need anything, Jane, call me. I'm here for you."

She squeezed his hand in thanks. "I'm looking for three phone numbers. Gretchen Cole, Lisette Gregory

and Sharon Smith."

"Sure." He crossed to the computer and pulled up the address book. He jotted the three numbers on a

Post-it note and handed it to her. "If you're wondering, I made certain all your subjects got invitations to the opening."

"I wasn't wondering. I know you did."

She saw the question in his eyes but ignored it. "I'll be upstairs if you need me."

Jane headed up and, after pouring herself a gla.s.s of orange juice, curled up on the end of the couch with Ranger at her feet. She called Gretchen first.

The woman answered. "Gretchen, it's Jane. How are you?"

"Jane! My G.o.d, how are you? I can't believe what they're saying about Ian."

"It's not true," Jane said evenly. "It's all a mistake."

"Of course it's not true." Gretchen lowered her voice. "Is he still in jail?"

"Yes." Jane cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Did you get your invitation to the opening

party?"

"I did, though I wondered if it was still on."

"Ian made me promise not to cancel."

"He's like that." She paused, as if realizing what she had just said. "I'll see you there, then."

"Gretchen, one more thing." Jane attempted nonchalance. "Ian mentioned that you had become his

patient. I was a bit put out and worried that he may have, I don't know...used our relationship to solicit

business."

"Oh, Jane, I'm so embarra.s.sed. You know how I am about my looks. And actually, I mentioned his name to a friend, and she raved about him. That's what sold me on him."

"So, he didn't approach you?"

"No, absolutely not."

Jane admitted to being almost comically relieved. She hid it with a self-conscious laugh. "He's an excellent

surgeon, no doubt about it. In my slightly biased opinion, gifted."

"Exactly! He tried to point me to a colleague because of you, but I wouldn't hear of it."

First hurdle cleared. Jane drew a deep breath. Now for the tough question. "May I ask you something,

Gretchen? It's really important that you be honest with me."

"Sure, Jane. Of course."

"Did Ian behave...inappropriately with you? In any way?"

"Inappropriately?"

"You know, did he come on to you?"

"G.o.d, no!" Her emphatic and spontaneous response rang true. "Ian was nothing but professional."

Jane couldn't hold back her sound of relief.

"What are they telling you about him, Jane? Because whatever it is, it's not true. Ian loves you, that came

through loud and clear."

They talked a few more moments before saying goodbye and hanging up. Jane tried Lisette next, got her machine and left a message, then called Sharon.

The third woman was home. Their conversation was a nearly verbatim repeat of the one she'd just had

with Gretchen. Jane hung up, buoyed by the things both women had said about Ian, feeling confident.

They had approached him, not the other way around. He had behaved professionally at all times.

Now for the ex-wife. Mona Fields, former Miss Texas, wealthy, well-connected and successful. Jane had met the woman once; she and Ian had run into her at an opening at the Dallas Museum of Art.

She had been pleasant toward Jane, and any discomfort Jane experienced had been the result of her own

insecurities, not any overt ugliness from the other woman.

Mona simply possessed the kind of looks that always made Jane feel inadequate. A natural blue-eyed blonde with a striking figure and features. The face of an angel and the heart of a demon was how Ian had described her. They had been married less than two years.

Jane collected her handbag and jacket, put Ranger in his kennel and headed downstairs. She stopped by the studio on her way out. "Anything happening that I should know about?"

"An RSVP from the art reviewer for the Times."

"New York or L.A.?"

"L.A. Awesome, huh?"

"Awesome," she repeated, acknowledging being pleased-but not feeling pleasure. As if intellectually she could recognize what a huge thing that was, but that on an emotional level...it didn't matter.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes." She hiked her purse strap higher on her shoulder. "I'm going to pay Ian's ex a visit."

"His ex-wife?" Ted frowned. "Why?"

"I need to talk to her. Face-to-face."

"They're getting to you, aren't they? The police, the things they're saying?"

Her cheeks heated. "I refuse to sit back and allow others to decide Ian's fate."

"So you're launching your own mini-investigation? Isn't that your attorney's territory?"

"Elton doesn't care if Ian's innocent. Only about proving him not guilty. I know he's innocent."

"Of the murders? Or of infidelity?"

She hated the question. It hurt. The answer made her squirm. She struck back, angry. "Maybe you

should mind your own business."

His features tightened. "I'm your friend. Friends tell the truth. Let the police and lawyers do their job."

"I can't do that." He wanted to argue, she saw. She didn't give him the chance. "I need Lisette Gregory's