Page 36 of The One for Forever

Rex doesn’t seem that comfortable with it either, even though he’s the one who brought it up. He changes the subject.

“You said you have three people on your list. Who are the other two?”

“There’s Thompson’s assistant. She had a hand in pretty much all of Thompson’s day-to-day affairs. She wasn’t at his house on the day of the murder, but maybe she discovered some evidence against Amber somewhere else, and is afraid to speak up. My last possibility is Thompson’s chauffeur. He drove Amber to the spa on the day of the murder. Camera footage on Ocean Lane confirms he didn’t go anywhere else except a lunch spot a block away. But given his level of access to Amber and Thompson, the driver had to see plenty, and I doubt he’s told us half of it.”

“Both the driver and assistant might keep their mouths shut because they’re afraid no other big Hollywood types will hire them if they aren’t discreet.”

“That’s what I thought too.”

Rex taps his thumb against the steering wheel. “I see the reasoning behind each of the three possibilities. Nice work. All three were close to the victim. All three should want his murderer punished. But for some significant reason, thiswitness is holding back. You would think the murder of their father or boss would be enough to get them to talk.”

“Exactly why this person is coming forward now. They want to see justice done. At least, we can hope so.” Then I shake my head. “That probably sounds naive of me.”

He smiles fondly. “Nothing wrong with thinking the best of people, so long as you temper it with some healthy suspicion. Don’t forget, we still don’t know this person’s true motives.”

I haven’t forgotten that fact for one moment. Yet I still have to pursue this, given the chance of finding the evidence we need. I appreciate that Rex sees that too.

Finally, we make it into Century City. We follow Avenue of the Stars to a sleek office building of steel and glass. Rex parks in a garage, both of us appalled at the rates they’re charging per hour, but that’s LA.

Up on the top floor, we walk into a lobby with a view of West LA, stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean. “Have you been here before?” Rex asks quietly. Our footsteps echo against the shiny granite floor.

“Nope. Christian came to West Oaks for his initial interviews. Since then, Lana and I have spoken to him over the phone. But I figure surprise is the best tactic for this. If we catch the witness off guard, maybe he or she will give something away.”

A receptionist looks up as we approach. She smiles politely, but her expression is carefully guarded. I might not be the security expert, but even I can spot the numerous cameras and locked barriers between the public and the inner domain of Hayworth Productions.

“I’m here to see Christian Hayworth,” I say.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Nope. But it’s about his father’s murder and the upcoming trial of Amber Printz.”

Her placid expression betrays a few cracks. “Ah. One moment.” The receptionist picks up a phone and speaks into it.

Rex and I step back from the desk. “Why not ask for the assistant first?” he murmurs.

I smirk. “A hunch. I think Christian will be a little more…receptive to seeing me.”

“You mean, he’s got a thing for you?” Rex’s frown is so deep it might be visible from space.

“He may have flirted. A little.”

Rex edges closer to me. “What else?”

“And he asked me to have a drink with him after his interview.”

“Did you say yes?”

“That would hardly have been appropriate.”

“But did youwantto say yes?”

I have no idea why Rex cares so much, unless he thinks this is relevant to my security. From the way he’s angling his body and glancing around, all gruff and menacing, you would think I’m in imminent danger.

But I don’t get the chance to answer him. Because Christian Hayworth appears, emerging from a hidden door at one end of the lobby.

“Miss Ainsley,” Christian says. “Always a pleasure. But you should have let me know you were coming.” His eyes flick to Rex, though he doesn’t ask for an introduction. “I don’t have much time, but you can walk with me to grab a coffee.”

“That works,” I’m quick to say. “This is Rex Easton. From Bennett Security.”

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