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From Randy Nephew: The Case of California Grey

At The Warners Lot

'Randy Nephew?' said the tall, muscular handshake of the dark, handsome stranger. He was the English actor Roly Leonard. Randy'd learned he was a serious Shakespearean actor, had played Othello; other stuff... but who was the other character here, this rangy woman?

'I'd like you to meet Connie Desplatt. She's French, but we don't hold it against her.'

'You're an actor?' Randy asked her.

'Nothing like that. I'm a producer of sorts. I look after the interests of a number of our European investors who put up the money for films.'

'Did you know California Grey?'

'Yes. And I 'ave to tell you something about her.'

Well quelle courage, thought Randy, could this be a suspect?

'Let's all take a walk, get some coffee,' the powerful baritone of the Brit was saying.

They took a walk.

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'You wanted to speak with me regarding California Grey?' Randy pressed her, once a flunkey had been dispatched to fetch coffee for the striking, sultry Frenchwoman and tea for her companion.

She brushed her brown tousled hair out of her face and pouted. 'You. You're Randy Nephew. You were a friend of the late Bill Stickers?'

'Yes. I was working for him.'

'As was the girl, California. But what I 'ave to say to you concerns 'er as much as your friend.'

'Do go on.'

'Bill Stickers was my friend too. Don't ask me 'ow. But you know that Bill was found dead in 'is office yesterday afternoon.'

'Yes, I'm aware.'

'You will be planning to go there to make investigations, of course? Don't bother. The place is crawling with cops. I stopped by to see Bill on my way here this morning. That was when I 'eard the news. I also overheard the policemen talking - They do not believe that 'is death was an accident. I 'eard your name mentioned.'

'My name? Why?'

'The officer in charge of the investigation is a man named Adrian Marcato. I've run into him before. I don't trust 'im. When Roly told me this morning that you're investigating the California Grey murder I put two and two together. I wanted to warn you.'

'You think that Marcato's planning to put me away because he doesn't want me to dig up the truth in the Grey case. But I already know that.'

She looked stunned.

' 'Ow did you know?'

'I can't tell you right now. But maybe you can still help me. You went to speak with Bill? What for?'

She shrugged. 'I 'appen to know there was a break-in at 'is office only the day before he was murdered. Do you think the two things could be related?'

'Frankly, yes. It would help to know if any unfamiliar faces visited Bill in the days before he was killed.'

'You mean casing the joint? C'est possible. Like someone was trying to find something that was in his possession, and when they couldn't do that they took drastic action.'

'It's too early to say, although that is a possibility. But what would they be looking for?'

'I couldn't say. But it's possible that Bill Stickers' girls had some association with certain clients I represent. Those people would reward you for keeping their names out of the press if that was so, you understand?'

'I think so. So far no one associated with the girl exactly seems to be covering themselves in glory. I can see why they might want to be kept out of it. Of course, if one of your friends had anything to do with her death I couldn't protect them. But I'll do what you ask, if only because there might be a time in the future when I need to ask for a favour from you.'

'Just name it.'

'I'm still in the dark about who killed the girl. It's true she was working for Bill?'

'Yes. But she also worked at a place called the Purple Flamingo. I 'appen to know that one of the patrons there is a certain Maria Seville.'

'Thank you. You've been more than helpful.'

Something was stirring over by the entrance to the massive hanger-like warehouse, into which they had wandered, that served as a sound stage here on the movie lot.

'Oh no,' said Randy, 'Hector.'

The Mexican was shouting at a girl with a clip-board who had gone over to see what was going on. Randy could see his bald head from here. He looked like a dog right before it gets beaten.

Despite the crazed appearance, it seemed likely that the security at the gate would only detain him for so long. Hector was already brandishing his mobile phone, no doubt barking about who his master was.

Randy didn't know how much sway the name of the senator had down here.

'Do you know the man?' Roly Leonard asked him.

'Unfortunately yes. He's the guy who was sent to abduct me.'

'Come on,' said Roly, 'I've got some costumes in my dressing room. You can slip out without anyone spotting you.'

'Thanks. You know, there are a lot of occupational hazards to being a private detective.'

'What fun! How long have you been a private dick?'

'Just about twenty-four hours. I'm hoping to last another twenty-four.'