Page 97 of Close Up

Vivian hurled the sturdy Speed Graphic as if it were a medieval weapon.

Fenella’s vision returned in time for her to see the heavy object flying toward her. She screeched and reeled back, instinctively raising a hand to block the blow.

The big camera did no serious damage but it threw her off balance. She yelped and lurched to the side, stumbling a little in her pumps.

Vivian launched herself at Fenella, who was now so panic-stricken she seemed to have forgotten how to work the gun. She bolted for the door and succeeded in getting it open.

Vivian managed to grab a fistful of Fenella’s jacket.

“Let me go,” Fenella screamed.

She stumbled out onto the balcony, dragging Vivian with her. Fenella whipped around and clawed at Vivian’s face.

Vivian let go of the jacket an instant before Fenella’s nails raked her eyes.

Fenella was unprepared for the sudden release. She lost her balance and fell hard against the old railing. The rusty metal fasteners groaned in protest. There was a wrenching, splintering sound. An entire section of the rotten railing gave way.

Fenella was unable to stop herself. Her momentum sent her over the edge.

She did not even have time to scream before she struck some object below and then fell again, this time onto the floor.

An acute silence ensued.

Vivian picked up her camera, moved cautiously farther out onto thebalcony, and looked down. There was enough light seeping in through the cracks in the blinds to reveal Fenella sprawled on the floor next to a massive bronze statue of a nude female goddess. The gun had landed some distance away.

Glass shattered somewhere in the salesroom at the front of the shop.

“Vivian.”Nick’s voice roared through the old house.

Rex barked excitedly.

“In here,” Vivian called. But the words sounded thin and breathless. She took a deep breath and tried again. “Nick. I’m in here.”

She started down the stairs, hugging the wall because in her shaky condition she needed support and she knew now she could not trust the old railing.

Nick and Rex raced through the door that separated the salesroom from the back room. Rex bounded toward the staircase to give Vivian his customary greeting.

Nick hit the light switch and raked the scene in a glance.

“Vivian?” he said.

“I’m all right. Honestly.” She sat down on a step and hugged Rex. “I’m okay.”

Nick grabbed a sheet of paper off a nearby workbench and used it to pick up the pistol. He set it on a table.

“There should be prints,” he said. “She’s not wearing gloves.”

“Yes,” Vivian said.

Nick crouched next to Fenella and felt for a pulse.

Vivian held her breath.

Nick rose, shaking his head. “Looks like she struck her head on the statue on the way down.”

He crossed the room and started up the stairs.

Vivian got to her feet and fell into his arms.

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