“They’d like to speak with you now. You ready to talk?”

Chapter 23

23

Elvis Cole

When Pike phoned Cole that morning to tell him about Button’s call, Cole heard the strain in his friend’s voice. Pike was a man who showed nothing, projecting a zen-like detachment that Cole sometimes found amusing, but also admired. Cole often wondered what such calm cost his friend, and whether Pike had no other choice but to pay it.

Cole was off the couch and out of the house sixteen minutes after Pike hung up. Who needs deodorant when you’re the World’s Greatest Detective? Who needs to brush your teeth when you’re fighting to absolve your friend’s guilt?

The morning traffic down from the canyon and westbound through Hollywood sucked. Bumper-to-bumper with garbage trucks, buses, and citizens headed for work, all of them funneled through streets torn up by poorly planned construction and maintenance projects.

Cole was still two miles from the freeway when his phone rang. He thought it would be Pike, but didn’t recognize the number.

“Elvis Cole.”

“This is Steve Brown in London, returning your call.”

Brown spoke firmly, as if he was used to being in meetings and getting things done. Cole did a quick calculation. Eight hours ahead made it five P.M. in London.

“Thanks for getting back, Mr. Brown. I’m trying to locate Wilson Smith and Dru Rayne. I was hoping you might know how to reach them.”

“Why would I know that?”

Cole thought that was an odd response, considering the people were living in the man’s house.

“I understand they’re house-sitting for you.”

“Uh-huh. And you understand this how?”

Now Brown sounded suspicious, which maybe went with getting a cold call from a total stranger six thousand miles away.

“Your neighbor. Lily Palmer. She told me about the house-sitting, and suggested I call.”

“Uh-huh. Okay. What’s this about?”

Cole had expected Brown to have questions, and had decided to limit his answers.

“Wilson’s shop was damaged. I’ve been trying to find him so I can tell him what happened, but it looks like they’ve gone away for a few days. I was hoping you would know how to reach them.”

“Uh-huh.”

Brown fell silent.

“Mr. Brown?”

“Let me ask you a question. These people are living in my house, Dru and this guy?”

Brown sounded angry, and Cole didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“Are they there without your knowledge?”

“I told Dru she could use the place. That’s it. I don’t know any Wilson Smith. I never heard of him, and I’m fucking pissed off if she’s shacking with some guy in my house.”

“He’s her uncle.”