Page 103 of Close Up

“What about it?” Joan asked.

“I’m sure by now you’ve seen the photo I took of Fenella Penfield.”

“Oh, yes, it’s in all the papers. Excellent shot, by the way. The outflung hand. The massive statue and the police detective gazing down at the body. The context told the whole story. No words needed.”

Vivian was horrified. “I assure you, it wasn’t posed.”

“I never thought it was. I just said it was a very evocative photograph.”

“My point is, not only was my name in the story, I also got the photo credit. That means I no longer have any hope of concealing my crime scene work. Perhaps I should use a pseudonym for my art photography?”

“Not in Burning Cove. Here we live by the First Law of Marketing:Any publicity is good publicity. That’s one of the reasons why I want to get some more of your work into my upcoming exhibition rather than wait for the next one. Strike while the iron is hot and all that.”

“Okay. If you think that’s for the best.”

“Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

Vivian hung up, dazed.

“Well?” Lyra said.

“The Ashwood Gallery in Burning Cove wants more pictures from my Men series.”

Lyra’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “That’s fantastic news.”

Vivian got a little thrill of awareness and turned her head to see Nick walking toward the table where she sat with Lyra. Rex was with him. He stopped in front of them, brows slightly elevated.

“What did I miss?” he asked.

“Have a seat,” Lyra said. “We’re celebrating because Vivian just got some very good news. The Ashwood Gallery in Burning Cove is goingto hang the rest of the pictures from her Men series. Evidently the first two pictures were snapped up by an anonymous collector.”

“My art career rises from yet another near-death experience and lurches forward once more,” Vivian said.

Nick sat down and helped himself to a dainty salmon and cucumber sandwich. “Congratulations. That’s great news. Can’t say I’m surprised, though. I knew it was just a matter of time before someone recognized your talent.”

Vivian went very still, a dark thought crowding out some of her delight.

“You’re not the anonymous collector who bought those pictures from the Burning Cove gallery, are you?” she asked.

Nick put the entire sandwich into his mouth and gave her one of his patented enigmatic looks.

“Why?” he said around the sandwich.

She cleared her throat, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “While it would be a lovely gesture and much appreciated, it wouldn’t be quite the same as a genuine sale to a real collector.”

Nick nodded, swallowed, and reached for another sandwich. “I thought about buying those pictures anonymously but I knew it wouldn’t give you the validation you wanted. So, no, I didn’t buy them and I don’t know who did.”

Vivian relaxed. “Good. Thanks.”

Lyra chuckled. “See? Those sales were the real deal.”

Nick groaned. “I suppose this means I’m going to have to live with a steady stream of half-naked Muscle Beach men wandering in and out of Vivian’s studio.”

Vivian got a warm, giddy feeling. Across the table Lyra met her eyes and winked.

“I intend to finish the Men series,” Vivian said. “But after that I’m moving on to another subject.”

“I’m afraid to ask what that will be,” Nick said.

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