Genuine Lies

picture.”
    “That’s the usual procedure.” “I’m available. Anytime.”
    “It looks like Darla’s ready for dessert,” Eve said dryly and rang for the last course. “The cook made raspberry trifle. You’ll take some back to Brandon.”
    “Oh, yes, your little boy.” Satisfied the conversation had cooled, Nina poured more wine. “We were hoping to meet him tonight.”
    “He was exhausted.” Julia snuck a peek at her watch. It succeeded only in reminding her that her body insisted it was past midnight. “I imagine he’ll be wide awake by four A.M. and wondering why the sun hasn’t come up.”
    “He’s ten?” Nina asked. “You look much too young to have a ten-year-old.”
    Julia’s polite smile was her only comment. She turned to Eve as the last dessert dish was served. “I wanted to ask you what portions of the estate are off limits.”
    “The boy can have the run of the place. He swims?”
    “Yes. Very well.”
    “Then we won’t worry about the pool. Nina will let you know whenever I plan to entertain.”
    Knowing her duty, Julia forced herself to stay alert until after the meal was finished. Even the single glass of dinner wine had been a mistake, she realized. Desperate for bed, she excused herself, thanking her hostess. It didn’t please her at all that Paul insisted on walking her back.
    “I know the way.”
    “There’s not much of a moon tonight.” He took her elbow and steered her onto the terrace. “It’s easy to get turned around in the dark. Or you might fall asleep on your feet and tumble into the pool.”
    Julia shifted away from him automatically. “I swim very well myself.”
    “That may be, but chlorine’s hell on silk.” He pulled a slim cigar from his pocket, and, cupping his hands around a lighter, touched the flame to the end. He’d noticed several things about her that evening, one of which was that she hadn’twanted her child to become dinner conversation. “You could have told Eve you were as exhausted as your son.”
    “I’m fine.” She tilted her head to study his profile as they walked. “You don’t care for my profession, do you, Mr. Winthrop?”
    “No. But then, this biography is Eve’s business, not mine.”
    “Whether you care for it or not, I’m expecting an interview.”
    “And do you get what you expect, always?”
    “No, but I get what I’m after. Always.” She stopped at the door to the guest house. “Thank you for seeing me back.”
    Very cool, he thought. Very controlled, very slick. He might have accepted her at face value if he hadn’t noticed her right thumbnail was chewed down to the quick. In a deliberate test he moved a little closer. While she didn’t jerk away, she did shoot up an invisible wall. It would be interesting, he decided, to see if she did the same with all men, or just with him. At the moment, he had only one priority.
    “Eve Benedict is the most important person in my life.” His voice was low, dangerous. “Be careful, Ms. Summers. Be very careful. You wouldn’t want to have me as an enemy.”
    Her palms had gone damp, and that infuriated her. She coated her temper with ice. “It appears I already have. And what I will be, Mr. Winthrop, is thorough. Very thorough. Good night.”

By ten o’clock on Monday, Julia was ready. She’d spent the weekend with her son, taking advantage of the mild weather by delivering on her promised trip to Disneyland and throwing in the bonus of the Universal tour. He’d acclimated quickly—more quickly than she—to the time change.
    She knew they’d both suffered from nerves when they’d walked into his new school that morning. They’d had their interview with the principal before Brandon, looking very small and brave, had gone off to his first class. Julia had filled out dozens of forms, shaken the principal’s hand, and had remained composed during the drive home.
    Then she’d indulged herself in a long crying jag. Now, with her face carefully rinsed and made up, her tape recorder and notebook in her briefcase, she rang the bell on the front door of the main house. Moments later, Travers opened the door and sniffed as if in disapproval. “Miss Benedict is up in her office. She’s expecting you.” So saying, she turned and led the way upstairs.
    The office was in the center leg of the “E,” with a wide half-moon window making up the front wall. The other threewere lined with shelves that held the awards of Eve’s long career. The statuettes and