Page 29 of Close Up

“Surely this Broker who contacted Pell knows the identity of whoever is willing to pay any amount to get hold of the volume.”

“Not in this case,” Nick said. “In the underworld there are ways to handle such things anonymously.”

“Why did the Broker contact Pell?”

“He did it as a favor. He reasoned that the death of Calloway might be linked to the theft of the journal because of the timing and because he’s not a great believer in coincidence.”

Vivian stopped pacing and fixed her attention on a large photograph of a smiling, vivacious young woman.

Nick had never met the lady in the picture but there was so much personality radiating from the portrait he felt as if he knew something important about her.

Vivian glanced at him and followed his gaze.

“My sister, Lyra,” she said.

“She looks... interesting. Like you.”

Rex sat down beside Vivian and leaned his big furry body against her leg again. She reached down and patted him. He looked thrilled.

Vivian finally turned around. Her expression was resolute.

“Why you?” she asked. “Why did this Luther Pell choose you to protect me?”

“Probably because my uncle recommended me and Pell trusts my uncle’s judgment. It’s not as if he has a lot of choice.”

“What do you mean? There must be any number of people who work as bodyguards here in the Los Angeles area. I’m sure some of the stars have personal guards.”

“Luther Pell doesn’t trust easily.”

“How does this bodyguard business work?”

“Beats me,” Nick said. “I’ve never done this sort of work before.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you? What exactly do you do?”

“I investigate, Miss Brazier. I’ve never had a case that required me to stick close to the client night and day. Looks like we’ll have to figure it out as we go along.”

Vivian narrowed her eyes. “No offense, Mr. Sundridge, but that is not very reassuring.”

“Try to look on the bright side,” Nick said. “It’s not as if I’m working alone. I’ve got Rex.”

Rex’s ears shot up at the sound of his name.

Vivian glanced at him, her gaze softening. “Rex looks like he can take care of himself.”

“Definitely,” Nick said. “And you, too. He was trained by a friend of my uncle’s, a man who used to school war dogs. Actually, Harry trainedboth Rex and me. He told me on more than one occasion that of the two, I was the more difficult student. Rex is a very fast learner.”

Vivian smiled. “Just like Rin-Tin-Tin. Growing up I saw every movie he ever made. I even wrote him a fan letter.”

Nick kept his mouth shut. Rex was clearly his best asset at the moment.

“We’ll need an explanation for your presence here in my house,” Vivian said. “I suppose we could pretend that you’re a distant relative visiting from back East.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Nick said. “It would be best if we left town.”

Vivian stared at him, clearly flabbergasted. “I can’t possibly do that. I’ve got two weeks’ worth of bookings.”

“We’re talking a few days, a week at the outside. If we’re right about the killer’s obsession with sticking to his personal timeline, he’ll make his move soon.”

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