"Thank you." She smoothed down the skirt. "I know a guy with great taste."
"That's right." Jean-Luc escorted her to the front row of chairs. "I heard one of your models is a little drunk."
She winced. "Liz. I would have never believed that a drama coach would suffer so much from stage fright. But they're all dressed and ready to go." She was talking fast and her gaze was flitting about. She was nervous, Jean-Luc realized, and with good reason.
"Come." He sat in a chair at the end of the row and motioned for her to sit beside him. He took her hands in his. They were icy cold, and he rubbed them. "I will protect you, Heather. I promise."
She took a deep breath. "I've been waiting for this for two weeks, and now I just want it over with."
"You'll do fine. Your outfits are beautiful."
"Well, that seems really unimportant compared to someone trying to kill me."
"No one will hurt you. I won't let them." He glanced at the front door. Robby was checking everyone and examining purses as they came in.
"Oh no," Heather moaned. "Coach Gunter has arrived."
The short coach didn't wait in line, but burst into the showroom. "Hey Heather!" His booming voice rang out. "I brought some moral support for Liz." He blew his whistle, and two cheerleaders from Guadalupe High skipped into the showroom, waving pom-poms and squealing.
"Oh no." Heather scooted down in her chair.
Jean-Luc chuckled. "I've never seen this before at a fashion show."
"Only in Texas," Heather muttered.
Coach and the cheerleaders sat in the front row across from Jean-Luc and Heather.
More people arrived, and soon all the seats were filled. Robby shut the door, then walked down the hall. A few seconds later, he strolled onto the catwalk. Obviously he'd used vampire speed once he was out of sight.
Gregori stepped onto the platform next to the runway. "Good evening, and welcome to Schnitzelberg's first fashion show."
The small crowd cheered. Pom-poms waved.
Gregori grinned. "This is a charity event. For each person in attendance, Jean-Luc Echarpe is donating one thousand dollars to the Schnitzelberg Independent School District."
More cheers.
Jean-Luc scanned the room. Every visitor was mortal. None of them had approached him to talk or thank him, so it looked like his identity was still a secret.
"We'll start with two designs by Alberto Alberghini," Gregori continued. "May I introduce our world-famous models—Simone and Inga!"
The crowd clapped politely. Jean-Luc suspected they'd never heard of his famous models.
Music started. Alberto was controlling that from backstage. At the front door, Ian dimmed the sconces on the walls, so the runway would look brighter.
Simone stepped onto the runway. There was an appreciative gasp among the crowd.
"Simone is wearing a black silk evening gown that shimmers with thousands of bugle beads," Gregori read from his notes. "The draped back gives it just the right dramatic touch. A stunning design."
Simone marched down the runway and struck a pose. Jean-Luc watched her carefully. She glared at him, but then she always modeled with an angry expression. She was halfway back when Inga began her walk.
"Inga is wearing an ivory cocktail dress of shantung silk," Gregori announced. "Note the slanted neckline which leaves one shoulder bare and how this is echoed in the asymmetrical hem. An elegant creation by Alberto Alberghini."
The crowd clapped politely.
"Did Alberto write this script?" Heather whispered.
Jean-Luc nodded. "I edited it." He knew Simone and Inga would be busily changing into their next outfits. Alberto had set up a screen so the mortal models wouldn't see them using vampire speed to change clothes.
"And now," Gregori continued, "we have three designs by Schnitzelberg's very own designer, a promising new talent in the fashion world, Heather Lynn Westfield."
The crowd cheered. Coach Gunter circled a fist in the air and hooted. The cheerleaders shook their pom-poms.
Heather ducked her head. "I can't believe this."
"The town loves you," Jean-Luc whispered. "I can see why."
She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with emotion. "Thank you for believing in me."
He took her hand. "It doesn't have to end tonight."
"All right!" Gregori grinned. "Our first model is Miss Gray, an English teacher from Guadalupe High."
Miss Gray stepped hesitantly onto the runway, wearing Heather's first gown.
The cheerleaders leaped to their feet, their pom-poms in the air. "Go, Miss Gray!" Shake, shake, shake. "Go, Miss Gray!"
Alberto started the music up again. Miss Gray smiled and apparently realized she was among friends. She walked down the runway, her smile growing.
"Miss Gray is wearing an evening gown of royal-blue silk chiffon," Gregori read from his notes.
"Notice the expert flow of the skirt and the versatility provided by the matching stole."
The second teacher started down the runway.
"Go, Ms. Lawson!" Shake, shake, shake. "Go, Ms. Lawson!"
"Ms. Lawson is wearing a black cocktail dress, topped with a bolero-style vest," Gregori announced. "The red soutache trim on the bolero is repeated on the hem of the skirt. A creation both elegant and bold."
Heather clung to Jean-Luc's hand.
"You're doing great," he whispered.
"If someone wants to attack me, I wish they'd just do it," she whispered back. "The suspense is killing me."
The third teacher stepped onto the runway.
Coach jumped up and hooted. "Way to go, Liz!"
"Go, Miss Schumann!" Shake, shake, shake.
Liz started down the runway, wobbling a bit in her maroon stiletto heels.
"Miss Schumann is wearing a maroon jacket dress," Gregori said. "The fitted dress is topped with an elegant jacket, featuring a pleated portrait collar, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a faux gem button."
She posed at the end of the runway while Coach whipped out a camera.
Jean-Luc ducked, not wanting his picture taken. Zut, Robby must have been too busy checking purses. He'd missed this camera.
A light flashed, apparently blinding Miss Schumann, for the woman stumbled back, then squealed as she teetered on the edge of the runway and fell off.
"I got you, Liz!" Coach rushed toward her and helped her up. "She's okay!" He raised his arms like she'd scored a touchdown.
The crowd cheered. Heather started toward her friend, but Jean-Luc stopped her.
"You need to stay with me." He exchanged a look with Robby. It looked like the three mortal models were safe. But Lui could have still taken over someone's mind in the audience. And Simone still had one walk left.
The crowd gave Liz another round of applause as Coach Gunter escorted her back to the curtained-off area.
Gregori cleared his throat. "And now, we have three more designs by Alberto Alberghini. First up, Schnitzelberg's own world-famous model, Sasha Saladine."
Sasha started down the runway, and the crowd cheered.
"Sasha is wearing a three-piece outfit, all in beige silk," Gregori continued. "The tightly fitted pants and top make a stunning contrast to the loose and flowing full-length coat."
Jean-Luc noticed Sasha had her hands in the coat pockets. That was normal for a model, but…
Sasha pulled out a gun, aimed at Heather, and pulled the trigger.
Jean-Luc leaped in front and felt a sharp sting in his right arm. As thin as Sasha was, the recoil from the pistol sent her flying off the runway. Phineas jumped on her. The deputies and sheriff were running toward her.
"Are you all right?" Jean-Luc looked at Heather. She was shaking, her eyes wide. He pulled her close.
He glanced at the catwalk. Robby was gone. Ian was gone, too. No doubt they'd teleported outside to look for Lui, in case the bastard was lurking about.
The crowd pushed toward the door, screaming.