Page 81 of The Girl Who Knew Too Much

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Irene Glasson seems to have come across a lot of bodies,” Julian said.

Nick stared at him. “What are you thinking?”

“You may be right. Glasson may be setting you up.”

“You think she killed Gloria and the others?”

“I have no idea, but it occurs to me that she may be trying to manufacture a story that would make her career. If she can pin a murder rap on you, she would become the top Hollywood gossip columnist in the country, at least for a while.”

“Yes, that’s it,” Nick said. Excitement snapped through him. “That’s it exactly. She’s out to destroy me so that she can grab a headline or two.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Julian got to his feet. “I’m here to make your problem disappear, remember?”

“Yeah,” Nick said. “I remember.”

“I’ll let myself out,” Julian said. He paused briefly. “One more thing. Absolutely no one is to know my real reason for being here. Understand?”

“What about my personal assistant?”

Julian shook his head. “No one. As far as everyone around you knows, you and I are just a couple of guys on vacation who struck up a friendship. Got it?”

“Got it.”

Julian disappeared into the shadows of the living room. Nick watched, more than a little awed. The man moved as silently as a snake.

I’m here to make your problem disappear.

A moment later the front door of the villa opened and then closed very quietly.

For the first time since the nightmare began, Nick allowed himself a measure of optimism. Maybe, just maybe, he would survive the rolling disaster that had overtaken him.

The doorbell chimed. He pulled himself out of his trance.

“Come in,” he called.

The door opened. Tentative footsteps echoed on the tiles.

He stifled a sigh. “I’m out here on the patio.”

Claudia appeared in the doorway, clutching her notebook.

“Who was that man I saw leaving here?” she asked.

“Just someone I met in the bar. We’re going to play golf together tomorrow.”

“I see,” Claudia said. “I came to tell you that Mr. Ogden called again. He told me to tell you that everything is under control.”

Nick’s spirits soared. “I think Ogden might be right this time.”

“This time?”

“Go on, get out of here. I want to work on my lines forLostWeekend.”

Claudia fled.

Chapter 36