Page 70 of The Director's Daughter

“I’m sure. They put his picture up, and I’m staring at the scene on television. There’s a black Corvette with red racing stripes along the side. It’s definitely his. There are six, maybe seven other cars involved. It’s a real mess.”

“Crap,” Jerry repeated. “Thanks, Zach. I’ll call a friend of mine over at the Malibu Sheriff’s office and find out what he knows. Kurt does spend a lot of time out there, but we all do. I’ll call you if I learn anything, and please do the same.”

“Yes, of course.”

The call ended, and returning to the couch, Zach unfroze the picture and continued to watch. As the cameraman moved across the chaos, the news feed switched back to the reporter on the ground.

“I have just been informed there is one confirmed fatality. The identity of the victim is being withheld until the family can be notified. Stay tuned for more breaking news, and the latest weather coming shortly at six.”

Glancing at his watch, Zach saw it was just a few minutes before the hour. Emma would be arriving any minute. Not only did he need to tell her about her new job, he’d have to break the news about the accident.

The doorbell rang.

She’d arrived. Taking a sip of wine, he placed his glass on the coffee table, turned off the television and headed to the door.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

IN SPITE OF THE ALARMINGnews report, when Zach opened the door he broke into a broad smile. Emma was dressed in a pale pink, lace sheath dress that clung to her curves, and the thin white slip underneath provided a provocative tease. Her tanned legs were seductively bare, adding to her seductive appearance, and he wanted to devour her on the spot. Not wanting to put a damper on the evening ahead, he decided to keep the news of the pile up in Malibu until later.

“You look fabulous,” he declared. “Did you hire someone to spray paint that on you?”

“Thank you. I’m glad you approve.”

“Approve? Emma, if you wore that dress to the Oscars every woman would be green with envy, and every head would turn. But you’d probably cause tremendous embarrassment to the men walking down the red carpet.”

“Why?” she asked as he ushered her inside.

“Think about it.”

“You’ve lost me.”

“To quote one of the sexiest vamps ever to grace the silver screen, is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?”

“Zach!” she exclaimed, punching him and laughing out loud. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I try. Come on, I’ll give you the tour.”

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