Page 78 of The Girl Who Knew Too Much

He waited until Willie put the drink on the bar in front of him and moved off to attend to another customer. Then he smiled at the morose-looking man sitting next to him. Another very handsome specimen, Julian thought, but in a more conventional way.

“You’re Nick Tremayne, aren’t you?” he said.

Nick swallowed some of his gin and tonic and set the glass down hard.

“So they tell me,” he said.

“According to the papers, you’ve got a problem.”

Nick shot him a wary look. “Who the hell are you?”

“Relax. I’m here to help.”

“Did Ogden send you?”

Julian looked around, making it appear that he was deeply concerned about the possibility of being overheard. Then he lowered his voice.

“No names,” he said. “If the press gets wind of my purpose for being in Burning Cove, the studio will deny all knowledge of me. Is that clear?”

“Yeah, sure.” Nick lowered his own voice but there was a note of hope in his words. “They sent you to clean up the mess?”

“Someone has to do it. It isn’t just your future that is at stake here. The studio has made a considerable investment in you.”

“Don’t you think I know that?”

“Let’s go someplace where we can talk in private.”

“My private villa,” Nick said. “Casa de Oro.”

“Sounds good. But finish your drink first. Make it look casual. You’re not in a hurry. You’re not worried. You’re enjoying your vacation in Burning Cove.”

“What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t. It’s Julian. Julian Enright.”

He didn’t hesitate to use his real name. No one here on the West Coast knew him or his family, but even if someone did think to make inquiries, the cover would hold up. It always held up. The Enright name and the long history of the family law firm made an ideal cover. No one ever suspected that Enright & Enright engaged in anything except the most reputable business practices.

“Nice to meet you, Julian. You don’t sound like you’re from this side of the country.”

“Back east,” Julian said.

“How long have you been out here?”

Julian smiled. “Not long enough.”

He made casual conversation with Tremayne while they finished their drinks. From time to time he studied Willie the bartender.

It took him a while to figure it out, but he was good with details. By the time his glass was empty, he was almost certain he knew what it was about Willie that had aroused his interest. Willie was a woman passing as a very attractive man.

Pleased with his deduction, he smiled at her.

Willie pretended not to notice.

Got you, babe,he thought.

Having solved the puzzle, Julian lost interest. He had not come to Burning Cove to seduce anyone, male or female. He had a job to do and he had already wasted enough time. His father had telephoned again that morning, demanding an update and urging immediate action. Evidently the competition for the auction of Atherton’s notebook was heating up.

Nick put his glass down. “Let’s get moving.”