“I’ve heard that hotel is booked solid for months in advance.”
“I’ve got connections.”
Simon smiled. “Imagine that. Thanks. I’ll take you up on the offer.”
“By the way, why don’t you join me for drinks at the Paradise this evening? I’ll introduce you to a friend. Raina Kirk. She owns the only private investigation agency in town.”
“A lady private investigator? Sounds interesting.”
“I’ll ask her to bring along her new apprentice. I think you’ll find Miss Brazier interesting, too. She’s single. Attractive. Smart.”
“I didn’t know there was such a thing as an apprentice private investigator.”
“Lyra learns fast,” Luther said. “Got a hunch she’ll be promoted soon.”
“What makes you say that?”
Luther picked up the phone. “She was attacked by a madman yesterday when she walked in on a murder in progress. She defended herself with a three iron.”
“Huh.” Simon felt a stirring of interest. “What happened to the guy who tried to kill her?”
“Died of severe injuries to the head. A three iron can do a lot of damage if you know how to handle it.”
“And Miss Brazier?”
“Knows how to handle a three iron.” Luther pushed a copy of theBurningCove Heraldacross the desk. “Afterward she spent the night drinking champagne and dancing in my club.”
Simon studied the picture of a stylish woman in a pale gown and high heels getting out of a cab in front of the Paradise Club. He could not take his eyes off her. Even in a newspaper photo she was a compelling fusion of mystery and glamour. Anticipation heated his blood. Alady PI who had taken down an insane killer and then partied all night at a hot nightclub was just the kind of woman he had hoped to find in Burning Cove. A reckless, free-spirited, modern woman. The sort who came with no strings attached.
“Is Miss Brazier divorced by any chance?” he asked.
“No,” Luther said.
“Well, no one is perfect.”
Chapter 8
What do you mean, Raina left town?” Luther said. “That’s impossible. She would have told me if she had a reason to travel.”
Lyra got to her feet, moving with caution. It was noon. The headache she had awakened with had finally disappeared beneath the onslaught of aspirin and coffee, but she was still feeling a bit fragile. The last thing she needed was a major confrontation with one of the most powerful men in Burning Cove.
Thanks for leaving me to face him, Raina. You owe me, Boss.
Lyra reminded herself that, thanks to her family’s social standing and her father’s shipping business, she had met a lot of powerful men, including tycoons and important politicians. She knew how to handle them.
Luther Pell, however, was definitely in a different category. The curriculum at the exclusive women’s college she had attended had not included a course on how to handle men who operated nightclubs and were rumored to have mob connections.
She composed herself. She might not possess a lot of useful job skills, but she was very good when it came to talking her way out of trouble.
“All I can tell you is that Raina stopped in at the office long enough to see if I had come to work this morning,” she said. She crossed to Raina’s desk and picked up the sealed envelope. “She told me she had a case that required her to leave town for a few days. Something about an old acquaintance who needed her help. She left this note for you.”
“A note?” Luther glanced at the letter, disbelief etched on his stern features. “No. She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t just take off and leave a damned note.”
“Please don’t look at me as if I made her disappear, Mr. Pell,” Lyra said. “I assure you I don’t know anything more about this than you do.” She handed Luther the envelope. “I’m just the messenger.”
Luther gave her a considering look. His eyes narrowed.
Lyra winced. “Yes, I’m aware of what happens to the messenger.”
