A Talent for Murder Read online

  “Nancy’s had some experience with detective work,” Ned explained.

  A sarcastic smile appeared on Lieutenant Antonio’s face. “Is that a fact? Do you have a license?”

  “I’m not a professional,” Nancy said, bristling at the older man’s dismissive attitude.

  The lieutenant frowned. “Let’s get one thing straight,” he said. “I don’t have much use for private investigators, and none at all for amateurs. If I find you’ve meddled in police business, you’ll be very sorry. Understood?”

  “There’s no call for threats,” Ned protested.

  The lieutenant ignored him. “Understood?” he repeated softly.

  “Absolutely,” Nancy replied. She realized it would be foolish to get on this man’s bad side, and she always tried to cooperate with the police.

  Antonio’s stare moved from Nancy to Ned. “Did either of you see the deceased before today?”

  “We live two thousand miles away, and we never saw Ursula Biemann until we found her body,” Ned said.

  “How long have you been in San Francisco?” the lieutenant pressed.

  When Nancy explained that they’d arrived the previous afternoon, Antonio frowned and asked, “Do you have witnesses who will vouch for your whereabouts last night?”

  Nancy had just answered the question when a large car pulled to the curb, and she saw Jane Zachary jump out, along with a short, wiry man with slicked-back hair. They immediately rushed over to join the group.

  “I got here as soon as I could,” Jane said, crossing to Evan’s side. “This is a tragedy.”

  Before the lieutenant could respond to the woman’s arrival, a new voice rang out, “There he is! That’s the one!”

  The outburst came from the man who had arrived with Jane. Nancy had never seen him in her life, but now he had stepped forward, his eyes wide, and his index finger rigidly extended.

  He was pointing straight at Ned!

  Chapter

  Three

  NANCY WAS ASTONISHED. What was this man talking about?

  The lieutenant looked at the stranger with suspicion. “There who is?” he asked.

  “The one we want!” The wiry man circled the mystified Ned, studying his face from various angles. “He’s perfect.” He clapped his hands and spun around to Jane. “Where were you hiding him?”

  Jane sighed. “He’s not an actor, Freddy.” She looked at the lieutenant. “Sorry. I’m Jane Zachary of Jane Zachary Associates. This is Freddy Estevez of Burton-Freeley Advertising, in charge of the King Kola account. We were auditioning actors for a commercial when we heard about Ursula.”

  “We’ve got our man!” Freddy exclaimed. “Tall, athletic, great eyes—”

  “Wait a minute,” Ned protested.

  “Quiet!” the lieutenant roared. “I hate to bother you with trivia like a police investigation, but can I assume you’re not accusing Mr. Nickerson of any criminal acts?”

  “Of course not,” Freddy said, shrinking away from the angry lieutenant.

  Antonio let out a breath and gave Ned and Nancy a hard look. “Then that’s all for now, but don’t leave town without clearing it with me.” He turned to Jane. “I’ll want to talk to you later.”

  “I’ll be at my office,” she answered, handing him a business card.

  After telling one officer to notify Ursula’s family of the death, Antonio told the other officers, “Let’s get statements from the people inside.”

  As Nancy watched the police file into the studio, Jane put an arm around Evan’s shoulders. “Poor Ursula. I can’t believe it! And how terrible for you, having to identify her body.” Her carefully penciled eyebrows knitted in a frown. “Could her death have anything to do with Marty—”

  “Not now, Jane!” Evan exclaimed quickly, looking around. “We’ll talk back at JZA. And I’d like Nancy and Ned to sit in.”

  Walking to Evan’s car, Ned took Nancy’s hand. From the confused look in his eyes, she could see that Ned was trying to sort out the strange events.

  “What a crazy day,” he said. “Do you think Evan wants you to investigate?”

  Nancy wondered the same thing. She was torn between her wish for a vacation with Ned and the strong curiosity that always kicked in when she stumbled on a mystery like Ursula’s death. She wanted to know about the ex-boyfriend Evan had talked about, as well as the man named Marty, whom Jane had mentioned. Was it the Marty Prince whose card had been in Ursula’s purse?

  “I guess we’ll find out if Evan wants me to investigate when we get back to the agency,” Nancy said. The real question in her mind was: How would she respond if she was asked?

  • • •

  During the ride back, Nancy turned to Evan. “What did you mean about Ursula not being her usual self lately?”

  “She broke up with this guy Sean McKearn a month ago,” Evan explained. “McKearn has a nasty temper and didn’t want to let her go. He’d been pestering her night and day ever since, making her crazy. . . . There was something else.”

  Evan broke off, looking troubled. “Should we be talking about this? The lieutenant said not to get involved.”

  “I’m not involved,” Nancy pointed out. “Just curious. Jane mentioned the name Marty. Did she mean Marty Prince, of Top Flight Artists?”

  Evan nodded. “Exactly. Top Flight is a new agency in town, and Marty Prince is the guy who runs it. How do you know about him?”

  Nancy told him about the card in Ursula’s purse. “Tell me about him,” she urged.

  “Marty wants Top Flight to be competitive with JZA, and he wants it now,” Evan explained. “He figures the quickest way to success is to get our best talent to leave us and sign with him.”

  “Is that legal?” Ned asked.

  “Our usual talent contracts run for a year,” Evan explained. “When the contract runs out, the talent can sign with anyone he or she wants. So an agent could call an actor and say, ‘Go with me and I’ll get you more auditions, more work, negotiate for better money.’ That’s fair. But we heard a rumor that Marty is using tactics that may be illegal.”

  “Such as?” Nancy prompted.

  “No one will talk openly about it,” Evan admitted, “but apparently pressure is being put on talent to switch, even if they’re happy with us.”

  “How?” Nancy asked, growing more interested.

  “Actors and models are in a competitive field,” Evan said. “A rumor that so-and-so is always late, can’t learn dialogue, or is on an ego trip can ruin a career. The threat of it can be scary.”

  As Evan reached his parking spot in the building’s garage, he added, “And there’s an even worse threat—violence. People who rely on their looks are terrified of being scarred for life.”

  “You think Ursula was threatened?” Ned asked.

  As they got into the elevator, the agent replied, “Another actress told my assistant, Ziggy, that Ursula had gotten anonymous notes saying that if she didn’t go to Top Flight, she wouldn’t stay as pretty as she was.”

  “Hmm,” Nancy mused. “An ex-boyfriend with a temper, and a greedy agent who’s up to dirty tricks.” It had the makings of a fascinating case.

  Nancy was mulling over suspects when they entered the JZA reception area and found Freddy Estevez, the advertising man, chatting with the receptionist.

  “I’ve been waiting for you—with an offer you can’t refuse,” Freddy said, clapping Ned on the back. “This King Kola ad will get lots of network play. That means big bucks for the actors. Plus, it’ll be fun.”

  “But I’m not an actor,” Ned insisted.

  “Hey, it’s not Shakespeare,” Freddy replied. “We just show this cute young couple having fun while they drink King Kola. One sequence will be riding in a hot-air balloon in Napa Valley.”

  “Really?” Ned asked, his interest piqued. “A hot-air balloon?”

  “Hey, let’s get you on videotape,” Freddy said. “Who knows, maybe you won’t look as good on screen as you do in the flesh.”
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br />   Ned looked at Nancy, who shrugged. “It can’t hurt to try, I guess,” he said.

  “Great!” Freddy exclaimed, whisking Ned through the door to the offices. Nancy and Evan followed them into a large room that had work stations sectioned off by smoked glass screens. The room buzzed with conversation and ringing phones. A glass wall on Nancy’s right revealed a large conference room. The wall to her left contained doors to window offices.

  “Amanda!” Freddy called. “Where are you?”

  A girl with stylishly short cinnamon-colored hair emerged from one work station. She was just about Nancy’s height, with a dynamite figure. “Here I am,” she said, approaching Ned with a directness that set Nancy off-balance.

  “This is Amanda Syms, the model you’d be working with,” Freddy said to Ned. “Let’s get you two on video, so we can see if there’s chemistry between you.”

  “I can feel chemistry already,” Amanda said, her green eyes sparkling as she looked up at Ned.

  Nancy felt a blush heat her face as she watched her boyfriend grin at the model. Here she was, stung by jealousy, while Ned seemed to be having the time of his life. Be happy for him, Nancy told herself. This could be his big break.

  But as they followed Freddy down a corridor, Nancy couldn’t shake off the feeling that Ned’s “show biz break” was going to put a crimp in their romance.

  Freddy ushered the star couple into an office. Through the open door Nancy could see Ziggy behind a video camera. Nancy was about to step inside when Freddy blocked her path.

  “Would you mind waiting outside?” he asked. “It’s kind of crowded in here. We won’t be long.”

  Feeling awkward, Nancy went back to the main room and found her way to Evan’s office.

  “Sit down,” he said as Nancy entered the sleek office furnished with chrome tables and black leather chairs. “You can wait here while they film Wonder Boy,” he teased. “Maybe Jane is right about Ned. He could become a hot property.”

  “You never know,” she said, forcing a smile. Unpleasant images paraded through Nancy’s mind: Ned surrounded by gorgeous girls, becoming a celebrity, losing interest in her.

  Evan excused himself to make a call, and Nancy leafed through a magazine, unable to concentrate.

  After what seemed like a long time, she heard Ned’s voice—accompanied by the ring of female laughter. Nancy joined them in the main room.

  “He looks even better on screen!” Freddy crowed. “Real star quality! The only problem is the name.”

  “The name?” Ned echoed.

  “In commercials, it doesn’t matter, but in TV and movies you need a name that’s more now, more hot, like . . . Derek. Derek Nichols!”

  “I like Derek,” Amanda said. “It’s cute.”

  “Slow down.” Ned laughed. “I think I’ll stick with plain old Ned. I’m used to it.” He looked over at Nancy. “Right, Nan?”

  Nancy smiled up at him. “I’ve always loved it myself.”

  “So, what do you say, Ned?” Freddy asked. “If you want the job, it’s yours.”

  “Well . . .” Ned glanced back at Nancy, who gave him what she hoped looked like an encouraging smile. “As long as we’ll still have plenty of time together here, I’ll do it. I’d love to!”

  Nancy turned away to hide her disappointment. She knew that Ned would have passed up the offer if he knew how she really felt, but she wasn’t about to stand in his way.

  “Great!” Freddy exclaimed. “I’ll set up a wardrobe fitting for you tomorrow.” Just then Jane came out of her office, and Freddy called out, “Ned’s going to do it! I’ll arrange the wardrobe appointment. Come along, Amanda, and we’ll work out your schedule for tomorrow.” He bustled off to one of the work stations.

  Amanda gave Ned another dazzling smile that was like a knife through Nancy’s heart. “Don’t be nervous,” Amanda told Ned. “We’re going to hit it off just fine.” Then she followed Freddy.

  “This is good news.” Jane smiled warmly at Ned. “We’ll call you at Evan’s house to let you know when—”

  “Is it true?” cried a shrill voice from the corridor.

  Nancy turned and saw a tall young woman with flaming red hair and a rail-thin figure. Tears sparkled in her bright blue eyes.

  The young woman strode up to Jane, her delicate face pale with tension. “I just heard Freddy—is Ursula really dead?”

  “Yes, Tina, I’m afraid so,” Jane said quietly. “Her body was found this morning. Her family has been notified, and the police are trying to determine how she died.”

  “I already know how she died.” Although Tina’s voice shook, every word she said was crystal clear. “Ursula was murdered. And I know who is responsible!”

  Chapter

  Four

  NANCY STUDIED TINA, who was visibly shaking. Her hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists, and her eyes darted around as though looking for unseen dangers. The room had gone silent at Tina’s shrill announcement.

  Gently, Jane patted her shoulder. “Tina, take it easy.” She pulled out a desk chair from one of the work stations, and Tina sat down. Her breathing was shallow, and Nancy thought she might faint.

  Jane turned to her assistant, who had risen from her desk and was regarding Tina with concern. “Holly,” Jane ordered, “get Tina some water.” The young woman nodded and walked quickly down the corridor.

  Jane bent to speak to Tina quietly. “Tina, dear, why don’t we talk in my office. It’ll be more private, all right?”

  “All right,” Tina muttered weakly.

  Evan stuck his head out of his office. “Is something wrong? I heard—” He noticed the distraught, pale actress. “Tina?”

  “She has information about Ursula’s death,” Jane said. “We’ll discuss it in my office.”

  “Maybe Nancy and Ned should join us,” Evan said. “Nancy might be willing to help us out.”

  “Would you?” Jane asked, looking tired and tense. “I’ve been worried sick lately. There’s been so much going on, and now this horrible news about Ursula—”

  She paused when Holly returned with a cup of water, which she handed to Tina. The girl took a drink and relaxed a little.

  “Come on,” Jane said, helping Tina to her office. “Holly, no calls or interruptions.”

  Situated at the head of the corridor, Jane’s office was large and sunny. One whole wall was glass, with a panoramic view of the bay. A huge desk was covered with photographs and scripts. Fine antique chairs surrounded a coffee table, which was polished to a gleaming finish. Nancy’s eyes were drawn to a stunning hanging Oriental rug.

  Once everyone was seated, Evan introduced Nancy and Ned to Tina Grayce, another JZA client.

  “Were you and Ursula close?” Nancy asked gently.

  Tina nodded. “We’d gotten close lately. We saw each other at auditions a lot, and sometimes we went out to lunch. Ursula liked talking to me, and lately she’d needed someone to talk to.”

  “What about?” Nancy asked.

  Tina swallowed the rest of the water, then fiddled with the cup. “Her troubles. Ursula’s ex-boyfriend was giving her a hard time.”

  Jane frowned. “Sean McKearn is a disturbed young man. Ursula brought him to our Christmas party last year, and they had a terrible fight. Sean got into a jealous rage when Ursula said hello to a male model. I was afraid Sean was going to attack Nelson, so I had security remove Sean from the party. Ursula was very upset.”

  “Is Sean an actor, too?” Ned asked.

  “Are you kidding?” Tina said scornfully. “He says it’s for wimps.”

  “He’s a sculptor and woodworker,” Jane said. “He’s good-looking enough, but he doesn’t exactly have a winning personality.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” Tina agreed. “He’s going to get into real trouble one day. He already has a police record for assault.”

  “Really?” Nancy leaned forward. “Do you know any details about that?”

  Tina blinked, then said, “No, i
t’s just something Ursula mentioned.”

  “Do you think he might have assaulted Ursula?” Ned asked.

  Nodding vigorously, Tina said, “Absolutely. If he got mad enough, he’d do it.”

  Nancy made a mental note about Sean. “I’d like to talk to this Nelson some time soon.”

  “I’m sure he’d like to talk to you, too,” Evan said grinning. “He likes attractive girls.”

  Tina dropped the paper cup on the table. “Ursula was getting threats, too. Ugly ones. Unsigned notes and phone calls in the middle of the night.”

  “Do you think Sean was behind the threatening notes and calls?” Ned asked.

  Tina folded her arms across her chest. “No. He’d rant and rave—but threatening notes? That’s not Sean’s style.” She hesitated. “Before I go on, you have to promise not to tell anyone, okay? I don’t want to end up like Ursula.”

  “We won’t say a word,” Jane assured her.

  “Well—” Tina hesitated, taking a deep breath. “I think it’s Marty Prince. He wanted Ursula to sign with Top Flight, the new agency, and she wouldn’t do it.”

  “I knew it!” Jane cried, slamming her hand on her desktop. “I knew it was Marty!”

  Recalling the card in Ursula’s purse, Nancy said, “Tina, did Ursula actually say that the threats came from Marty Prince?”

  “Ursula said that the threats started after she told Marty she was staying with JZA. At first he just warned her that she’d regret her decision. Then he tried to meet with her, but she refused. That’s when the really nasty stuff began.”

  “What kind of stuff?” Nancy asked.

  “Someone sent Ursula a photo of herself from a magazine ad. But they’d penciled in cuts and scars and written, ‘This could be you.’ ” Tina shuddered. “Then some guy called, hinting that acid could ruin a girl’s face and end a career.”

  “Why didn’t she tell us?” Jane asked. “She must have been going out of her mind.”

  “She was too scared to talk,” Tina answered. “She only told me in desperation. She said she’d go crazy if she didn’t tell someone.”