Page 62 of Dead Girl Running

Leo spelled it out. “No one’s seen him. His phone is going to voice mail. Lloyd Magnuson has disappeared.”

Kellen’s exasperation turned to dread, and as it did, she pivoted and looked at her surroundings. Beyond her stretched the cold darkness that reached into space and in all directions as far as the eye could see. Yet she stood in a lighted path, a clear target for the enemy. For the cruelly deceptive Librarian. Kellen turned back toward the resort and started walking again, more briskly and with a clear destination in mind. “What do we suspect? That he ran off with the body?”

“I’ve known Lloyd Magnuson since he arrived in Cape Charade. He’s not a master criminal. He’s not even a petty thief. He might not be terribly bright, but he’s honest. He wouldn’t steal Priscilla’s body, so…”

“So somehow he was diverted from his destination.”

“Yes. Before I called, I sent a neighbor over to check his house. The door was unlocked—”

“Unlocked?”

“Cape Charade’s a small town. No one locks the door unless they’re having an affair.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Lloyd’s not home. No sign of him, no sign of foul play. Sheriff Kwinault has alerted her officers to watch along his route.”

“Okay.” The situation had suddenly become a lot more tense. “Leo, do you have firearms here at the resort?”

“Yes, of course.” His voice turned taut, worried. “But—”

“I’m former military. I know how to handle firearms and I’m not quick on the draw.” She didn’t mind giving him reassurance; having an armed employee was a serious matter and he had no idea of her shooting temperament. “I’ve got a Glock 21 SF that I can carry for my own safety and the safety of others at the resort. But it’s too big to be easily concealed and I don’t want to alarm guests or employees.”

He snapped to the situation. “Yes. I understand. You need something more compact. Get Annie’s keys. Go to my office…” He gave her directions to his gun safe and a list of the weapons he kept inside. He gave her permission to choose what she wanted.

“I’ll be smart and careful,” she said.

“I know. I trust you.”

His words gave her a comfort nothing else about this day had offered. “You said there were a couple of things you called about. What was the second thing?”

“Annie wants to talk to you.”

He must have thrust the phone at his wife, for Annie was on the phone at once. “Dear, I’mso sorryto have abandoned you in such a crisis.”

“It’s been exciting.” Kellen kept her tone low-key. “But knowing you’re better will make everyone at the resort so much happier.”

“I have such a loyal staff, and I have a security solution for you. I’m sending up our great-nephew…or maybe he’s our great-great-nephew…to take Mr. Gilfilen’s place until he returns from vacation.”

Kellen sighed in relief.

“His name is Maximilian Di Luca.” Annie paused momentously.

“I’m pleased.”

“Pleased?”

Annie seemed to expect something more, so Kellen perked up her voice. “So pleased! He has experience?”

“In security? Well. Hmm. Yes. He worked his way up through the family hierarchy, including time working security, and in a family crunch situation, Maximilian is always the man to call on.” Annie seemed to be fumbling for the right information to impart. “Now he’s the Di Luca family’s East Coast wine distributor. He has a home in Pennsylvania.”

“Philadelphia? That’s a long way to come. Why would he fly in from so far away?” From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that city of cold and dark, blood and cruelty. “That is, can’t you find someone closer?”

“Maximilian’s Pennsylvania home is in the Brandywine Valley. He also has a home in Oregon. He came to Bella Terra for the holiday celebration. When he learned about your situation, he volunteered to help. Max is awonderfulman.”

Kellen knew the fact he was from Pennsylvania was no reason to prematurely dislike him. She knew that, theoretically, most of Pennsylvania was pleasant…

But not Philadelphia. It had taken her a long time to recall anything about Philadelphia, and each of those few memories were jagged shards, broken, never to be assembled again.

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