Brian rose and started for the door, his shoulders slumped.
"Good night," Malcolm said, still grinning.
"Yeah. Right. Good night. With Indians on my doorstep, you tell me good night," Brian said and left.
The morning brought a sour faced Brian stumbling through the door. "Is that coffee I smell?" he asked. "I need to drink a pot of it." He collapsed on the sofa with a groan. "I didn't sleep a wink last night, Malcolm, and it's all your fault."
Malcolm laughed aloud. "Would you like to meet her?"
"Meet her? Is she here?" Brian sat straight and stiff on the edge of the sofa.
"Oh, yes. Yes, she's here." Malcolm lifted the phone, spoke for a moment, then turned and grinned at Brian. "She's on her way." Brian blanched white.
A soft tap on the door announced the female agent. She walked like a dancer, gliding more than stepping. Brian stood and stared. She smiled and crossed the room to him. Her black coat hung open to show a yellow blouse, open at the neckline, and a black leather skirt. Her knee high flat heeled boots gleamed with polish. Standing at least three inches taller than Brian, she offered him her hand with grace. "Hello. I'm Judith Abramson," she said with a sweet smile.
"Uh…Brian. Brian Miller, Malcolm's brother." His mouth stayed open as he stared at Judith's face.
"Actually, we're not even related," Malcolm said. "I was thirteen when Brian's father took me into his home. My own father had just died and I had no family."
"That explains the lack of brotherly resemblance," Judith said. "I wondered. You two look so very different."
"We are different," Brian said. "Malcolm has all the talent. I have none." He looked downcast, miserable.
"Yes, poor Brian. All he ever had was money," Malcolm said, grinning. "His uncle left him a fortune."
"I know about your company, Brian, the 'Versifund.' An investment corporation?" Judith asked.
"Yes, that's right," Brian replied.
"Among others," Malcolm said.
"Others?" Judith asked, a slight frown between her eyes. She glanced at Brian, who had not been able to take his gaze from her.
"He has several companies, but the one with the most investment money is the Versifund, the one you mentioned earlier." Malcolm sat back and contemplated his befuddled brother. He couldn't stop smiling.