Page 137 of The Girl Who Knew Too Much

CRAZEDFEMALEKILLER

ARRESTEDATBURNINGCOVEHOTEL.

ACTORNICKTREMAYNEAHERO, SAYTHOSEATTHESCENE.

The byline readIrene Glasson.

One of the front desk clerks leaned toward her. “The hotel operator says there’s a telephone call for you, Miss Glasson. You can take it on the house phone.”

“Thanks.” Irene hurried to the ornate telephone that sat on a nearby console. She picked up the receiver. “This is Irene Glasson.”

“First edition is sold out,” Edwin Paisley announced. His voice vibrated with excitement. “We’re going back to press. I want a follow-up piece for the morning edition. Get me some more quotes from Tremayne. I want stuff that won’t be in the L.A. papers. I want exclusive material.”

“Does this mean I’ve got a job?”

“Yeah, yeah, you got the job. You’re my new reporter on the crime beat. Now go write me another hot story.”

“I’ll get right on it, Boss.”

Edwin hung up. Irene admired her headline again, and then she hurried down the hall to Oliver’s office. Elena was in the process of putting the cover on the typewriter.

“Hi, Irene. I was just about to leave for the day. Congratulations on the front-page story.”

“You’ve seen it?”

Elena chuckled. “Are you kidding? Mr. Ward gave orders for a copy to be delivered by special courier as soon as it came off the press. To tell you the truth, I think he was a little nervous. He has this thing about reporters and photographers, you see.”

“I’ve heard that,” Irene said.

“Well, that’s it for me,” Elena said. “I must say it’s been a busy day.” She headed toward the door. “See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Elena.”

Irene waited until the outer door closed behind Elena, and then she crossed the room to the door of Oliver’s office and opened it.

“Good news,” she said. “I’ve got a job.”

Oliver was lounging back in his chair, his good leg propped on the corner of his desk. He had a copy of the special edition of theHeraldin his hands.

“Figured you would after this story of a crazed female killer prowling the grounds of the Burning Cove Hotel.” He took his foot off thedesk and rose. “You made my security look bad but you did a great job of transforming Nick Tremayne into a real hero.”

“It’s the crazed female killer and the movie-star hero that people will love. That’s all they’ll remember. They won’t care about your security.” She went behind the desk and wound her arms around Oliver’s neck. “Thanks for the quotes, by the way. I may need another one.”

“Figures. Tell me about the job.”

“Meet the new crime reporter for theHerald.”

“According to the local authorities, we don’t have much crime in Burning Cove.”

“With luck, that will change now that there is an actual reporter on the beat.”

“For some reason I do not find that a comforting thought,” Oliver said.

“Nonsense. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m a professional.”

“Don’t remind me.” The amusement vanished from Oliver’s eyes. “So, this means you’ll be staying in town?”

And just like that, the frothy, sparkling sense of delight and excitement that had made her almost giddy went flat. She went very still.