“Understandable. When it happened I was out of the country. When I got back, I found a month-old newspaper in which that accident was reported. Odd that it would be, unless there was something about the Servinos that was newsworthy. Anyway, it was clear that Mr. Servino really liked that Alfa Romeo. It’s just that there were a lot of questions. Like, what would happen to the car in a collision? How would it stand up to, say, going up against an embankment or colliding with anything else? The engine’s in the rear. Would the driver or the passenger be in more danger? What else could go wrong with an Alfa Romeo? Like braking or things coming loose?

“‘Not this Alfa,’ I said. ‘Things coming loose?’ For God’s sake. ‘Not unless you just loosened things yourself,’ I said. ‘Take out your lug wrench and—’” He moved his hand and arm in a turn, as if adjusting something. “‘Loosen up the lugs and I wouldn’t be surprised if a wheel went a little wild when you hit that embankment.’ I just laughed.”

“So did he ask more questions then?”

“Not him. Her. All he was doing was going around kicking tires. Don’t you love the way guys do that? As if it really told him anything about the car.” He made it sound like a playground prank.

“She was the one concerned about an accident?”

“Yeah, which is what I thought later was peculiar. There was an accident, but she was the one that bought it—I mean, got hurt.” He paused. “You know, I almost didn’t sell it to them.”

“The Alfa? Why not?”

“Thing is, I thought if something goes wrong with my car, I’m afraid they wouldn’t bring it back to me for fixing. They’d take it to some cowboy repair guy closer to them. If you see what I mean.”

My car. Jury saw. He rose. “Alex, it’s been a real pleasure talking to a man who knows what he’s doing, who’s in the right line. If you think of anything else, let me know.” Jury handed over one of his cards. “And as I said, I’m sending business your way.”

Alex laughed. “Except for the lazy girl.”

“Maybe even her. Good-bye.”

20

Jury stood outside of the heavy glass door bearing the name RICE INVESTMENTS for a few very long moments wondering if he should go in. The thought of Vernon Rice kneeling by the body of Nell Ryder that day on the stud farm kept Jury’s feet pretty much rooted to the spot.

Was it fair to land Vernon in an emotional quandary in order to get something out of Sydney Cooke, who might not even have something to get? To involve Vernon went against his better judgement.

He went against it and pushed open the door.