Jason glanced down at his sweater.
Ralph stared at Jason for an uncomfortable moment, and then began to laugh. Jason joined in, knowing what his uncle was going to do. He was going to make Dottie think she was hallucinating. He was sorry he had to play it that way, but it was his uncle’s choice.
“Aunt Dottie, I think you’ve been working too hard. Maybe you and Uncle Ralph should take a vacation.”
She stomped her foot. “I haven’t been working too hard. I barely work at all. And I’m not crazy. I know what I saw.”
By that time the other neighbors had heard the ruckus and appeared in the hallway. Jason stepped out of the elevator but left the emergency stop on.
“Sounds like somebody’s got their feathers ruffled,” Gwyneth drawled, as she and Morgaine descended the stairs.
Ralph held up one hand as if to stop them from coming any further. “Everything’s fine. It’s just a family matter.”
Dottie glared at her husband. “Everything’s not fine. There was a bird in this elevator. It’s bad luck when a wild bird enters a building. Haven’t you ever heard that?”
The other residents stared at each other in surprise. Eventually, Konrad asked, “Where’s Nathan?”
“What’s he got to do with anything?” Dottie asked.
“I’m right here,” Nathan said from the bottom of the stairs.
“You didn’t let yourpet birdout of its cage, did you?” Konrad shot him a pointed look.
Nathan cocked his head. “No. He’s been right here in my apartment all evening.”
Jason strolled to the top of the stairs. “Everything’s okay, folks. Thanks for your concern, but you can go back to your apartments now.” That’s when he saw Merry peeking up the stairs, trying to stay hidden.
“Merry,” he called and rushed down the stairs two at a time.Buns hopped into the hallway. She grabbed her pet, retreated into her apartment, and shut the door.
I’m not going to just walk away, Merry. You’re mine, damn it!
He knocked. She didn’t answer.
“I’ll wait here all night if I have to, Merry,” he yelled. “You’re my girl and I deserve a chance to explain, damn it. Weneedto talk!”
A moment later, Matt wandered into the hallway. “Don’t pay any attention to my sister,” he said, speaking a little louder than necessary.
“Why not?”
“She gets psychotic sometimes. Besides, you’re Jason friggin’ Falco! You could have any girl you wanted. Maybe you should teach her a lesson and go out with someone else.”
Merry’s door almost flew off the hinges as she opened it hard enough to bounce off the opposite wall. “Time for you to go home, Matt.”
“Damn! I finally get to see Jason again and now I have to leave? I’mnevergoing to get his autograph,” her brother wailed.
“I have something better than an autograph,” Jason said. “Why don’t you both come up to my place and I’ll get it for you before you leave, Matt, then Merry and I can talk.”
Matt looked like he was about to bust a gut with excitement. “Better than an autograph? And I get to see your penthouse? Heck, yeah! I can’t wait.”
Merry closed and locked her door behind her. The neighbors had cleared out.Thank goodness.She didn’t trust Matt not to tell her father if he saw some of the black clad, wild characters she lived with. Then he’d have yet another reason to try to yank her back home.
Matt followed Jason to the elevator like a puppy. The elevator hummed with electricity: it’s own, Matt’s, and the joltthat raced through Merry when Jason took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
When the doors whooshed open, Matt stepped out as if in a dream and said, “Whoa!”
“Like it?” Jason asked.
“Are you kidding me? This place rocks!”
