Page 63 of Fatal Witness

“The color is celadon—I wanted the piece to look like jade. What else do you see?”

He studied the piece. “There’s a...” Mark struggled to find the words he wanted. “A smoothness of motion in it.”

Her full lips spread in a broad grin. “That’s what I’m always going for—I want people to think of fluidity in motion.”

“You certainly accomplished that.” He glanced around the room. “All the pieces I see have that look.”

“I love working with porcelain even though it’s the most difficult clay to work with. I like to push the envelope—you know, like a teenager pushing their parents’ limits.” She laughed. “And before you ask, I’ve had more than one disaster. I never know when I open the kiln if it’s going to be Christmas or Halloween.”

With a low growl, Gem suddenly scrambled to her feet, the hair on her back raised. Mark thrust the vase into her hands and pulled his gun as headlights flashed across the window. “Stay here. You too, Gem.”

She hugged her arms to her waist. “There’s a back door.”

He eased to the back of the room and out the door, then around the side of the studio.

“Anybody here?”

Mark relaxed and holstered his gun. He never thought he’d be glad to hear Levi’s voice again. The deputy stood in front of the house. “Over here,” he called.

“Oh, there you are. When nobody answered the doorbell...”

Mark stuck his head inside the studio. “It’s Levi.”

“Aren’t you out late?” Dani asked when she and Gem joined the two men.

“Last run for the day, and if you folks are okay, then I’ll be on my way.”

“Thanks for checking on us,” Dani called after him as he climbed into his cruiser.

Once he was out of sight, she pulled the door shut. “I don’t know about you, but I’m beat, and tomorrow is a long day.”

He agreed, and they walked back to the house. Mark glanced up, and his tension melted away. “I never get tired of seeing the night sky.”

She raised her gaze and sighed. “Me either. Van Gogh got it right withThe Starry Night.”

She stumbled, and he grabbed her hand, steadying her. When she didn’t pull away, neither did he.Not a biggie. She just doesn’t want tostumble again.At least that’s what he told himself.

“My bedroom is upstairs. There are guest rooms on either side of me or you can sleep in the guest room downstairs.”

“I think I’d prefer downstairs.”

“I’ll get sheets and make up the bed, but first I’m going to set the alarm.”

“Will I set it off if I ramble around?”

“Not as long as you don’t open a door.”

She showed him how to make either a pot of coffee or a cup, then went upstairs.

Mark showered, then called Alex.

“Stone.”

She sounded groggy, and he checked his watch. Ten thirty. “Sorry, I forgot it’s two hours later there.”

“Everything all right?”

“Everything’s fine. Met the sheriff. Seems like a decent sort. He said he talked to you.”

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