Page 103 of The Girl Who Knew Too Much

“Me? No. I’m just a lowly assistant. But I’ve worked at the studio long enough to know that men like Ogden can do a great deal of damage to people who get in their way. If I were you, Miss Glasson, I’d find another story. Leave Nick Tremayne alone.”

“Sounds like you’re afraid of this Mr. Ogden.”

“No, Miss Glasson, I’m not afraid of Earnest Ogden. I’m absolutely terrified of him.”

“Because he could get you fired?”

“In a heartbeat. Look, I’ll tell you the truth. Hollywood was the biggest mistake of my life. I’m not cut out for that world or this one here in Burning Cove, either. I’m just trying to keep my job long enough to get some money together so that I can go home.”

“What will you do when you go home?”

“What everyone told me I should do the day I graduated from high school.” Claudia got to her feet and collected her book and her handbag. “Get a job in a department store. Meet a nice guy who can support me. Get married.”

“Where is home?” Irene asked.

“A place where you don’t need to wear sunglasses every day of the year.”

Claudia walked swiftly toward the door of the glass-walled tearoom and disappeared out into the gardens.

Chapter 48

Irene sat quietly, thinking about what Claudia had said. After a while she got to her feet and went along the arched walkway to Oliver’s office.

Elena smiled when she opened the door. “Hello, Irene. How are you today?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Elena. And you?”

“Excellent, thanks. Are you here to see Mr. Ward?”

“Yes. Is he in his office?”

“He is. I’ll let him know you’re here.” Elena pressed the intercom button. “Miss Glasson is here, sir.”

“Send her in. I was about to go looking for her.”

Elena started to get to her feet to open the door.

“Don’t bother, please, I’ll get it.” Irene crossed the room. She paused, her hand on the knob, and looked back at Elena. “Do you ever get tired of all the sunshine here in California?”

Elena laughed. “Are you kidding? I was born and raised here. I love the light.”

Irene smiled. “I’m not from around here but I agree with you. I love the light, too. Oddly enough, not everyone does.”

She walked into Oliver’s office and closed the door behind her. He got to his feet.

“There you are,” he said. “I was about to go looking for you. Chester just briefed me on what he discovered about Atherton’s notebook. Those calculations are for a highly advanced version of a military device called a rangekeeper. Saltwood evidently has a secret contract with the Navy.”

“We’re talking about espionage?”

“That’s what it looks like. Chester agrees with the advice that Helen Spencer gave you in her letter, by the way. He says we’ll be asking for a lot of trouble if we contact the FBI.”

Irene shuddered. “We’ll become suspects in an espionage case.”

“Yes.”

“Good heavens. This thing just gets deeper and deeper, doesn’t it?”

“I think we’re finally able to put a few pieces of the puzzle together. Did Teddy help you locate Claudia Picton?”