Page 27 of Close Up

Nick closed the door and threw the bolt for good measure. Eric did not look dangerous but there was a long list of dead people who had made assumptions based on appearances.

He turned and found Vivian directly behind him. Her eyes narrowed.

“Eric is waiting on the front step,” he said, trying to sound helpful. “He thinks I’m your assistant. I suggest we let him go on thinking that.”

“Right.” Vivian smiled a steely smile. She turned on her heel and stalked off down the hall. “Show him into my office, please. I’ll get the prints.”

Nick watched her disappear through the kitchen doorway. With a sigh he opened the door again.

“Miss Brazier will see you in her office. End of the hall on the right.”

“Sure.”

Eric moved through the doorway. Nick and Rex followed him.

A moment or two later Vivian appeared. She had a large envelope in her hand.

“I think the photos turned out very well,” Vivian said. “I hope you’ll be pleased.”

Eric flushed and gave her a big grin. His eyes lit with excitement. “Can’t wait to see them.”

Vivian took three large prints out of the envelope and displayed them on the desk. Nick was standing close enough to see that the photos showed Eric in various dramatic poses. In one image he wore nothing but a pair of bathing trunks. In another he was in a swashbuckling stance, sword in hand, billowing white shirt open halfway down his chest in a scene that looked as if it had been inspired by an Errol Flynn film. The third shot showed him in a stylish jacket and trousers, the quintessential leading man. Cary Grant.

Eric was clearly elated. “You made me look like a real movie star, Miss Brazier.”

“I know you have your heart set on becoming an actor, Eric,” Vivian said gently. “I wish you all the luck in the world.”

He looked up from the photos. “But I shouldn’t give up my job at the garage, right?”

Vivian smiled. “Something along those lines. I do understand what it is to have a dream, believe me.”

“Don’t worry.” Eric picked up the glossy photos and inserted them carefully back into the envelope. “If I don’t make it in Hollywood I’ve got another plan.”

“What’s that?” Vivian asked.

“I’ve been talking to a friend of mine about opening a gym on the beach. You know, a place where guys can lift weights and really concentrate on building up their bodies.”

Vivian was impressed. “That sounds like a very interesting idea. Let me know if you decide to do that. I could take some photos for you to use to market your gym.”

“Yeah?” Eric brightened. “Thanks, Miss Brazier. I really appreciate it.”

Eric headed toward the door, the envelope full of photos tucked safely under one arm. He did not seem to remember that Nick was in the room.

“I’ll show you out,” Nick said.

Eric glanced at him. “Oh, sure. Thanks.”

Nick escorted him out the door and returned to the office. Vivian was sitting behind her desk, one hand resting absently on Rex’s head, which was once again propped on her thigh. The dog appeared to be deeply in love.

“I’ve got more questions,” Vivian said.

Nick went to the window and contemplated the small backyard and the beach beyond. “I’ll answer the ones I can.”

“How did Luther Pell and your uncle come to hear about the threat to my life?”

“A few days ago a journal of handwritten poems came into Pell’s hands. The circumstances made him suspect that the verses might be written in code. He tracked down Uncle Pete, who succeeded in deciphering some of the most recent poems.”

“Go on.”

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