"Sure. Put it toward the back. And put that flat maroon stone toward the front. Should look good there."
Jim arranged the coral and stone, then stepped back to examine his handiwork. He smiled, nodded, and left.
Malcolm reviewed Brian Miller's dossier, although he knew its contents almost by heart. The two accidents had a disturbing similarity to those experienced by Tanya Caldwell. The third accident didn't end in death due to the care Brian's chauffeur, Mike Harrison, gave his car. Mike found explosives near the engine during a routine checkup, saving both his and Brian's lives. The recent attacks on Tanya caused Malcolm more concern over the safety of his brother, Brian.
He glanced up as his younger brother sauntered into the room. Brian looked the part of the casual playboy. His golden blond hair slicked back from a well tanned forehead. He wore light wool trousers, an off white sweatshirt, and tan loafers on his bare feet. He grinned at Malcolm, then sprawled on the sofa.
"Well, big brother, here I am…at your mercy." His melodic voice did nothing to hide his sarcasm. "Or is it, rather, at the mercy of the powerful chief of police? Oops…ex chief of police." He grinned.
Malcolm stared, his face expressionless. "How was your trip?" he asked.
"Good. Excellent. A bit too long, perhaps. Three months away from home is a long time."
"Do a lot of traveling?"
"Yes, I'd say so. I rested a couple of weeks on La Côte d'Azur." His grin became a smirk. "The weather was splendid, the girls great. Tanned, petite…to my liking."
"Did you accomplish all of your goals?"
Brian waved the question away with languid grace. "Yes. I liquidated all of my assets in Europe. The market systems over there are getting too complicated for me. And you know I like simple things."
Malcolm watched Brian from above his reading glasses. "And are you more rich than before?"
Again, Brian waved the question away. "Something like that," he said. "I sold at the right time."
"Of course."
"Of course," Brian said, repeating Malcolm's remark, complete with sarcastic emphasis. "It's no fun to lose money. And I like fun." His smirk became wider. "Especially now that I'm a single man again." He began to squirm under Malcolm's stare. "Nice new coffee table," he said, running his fingers across the table top. "I like the marble top."