The Second Mystery Megapack. Mack Reynolds

to search my face for something, but I didn’t know what.

      “In my shoes, you’d have done the same thing,” I said.

      He shrugged. “Only you’d think so, Michael.”

      Before I could respond, a silver Miata screeched into the parking lot, with a woman so beautiful it made my eyes pop. She pulled alongside, rolled down the window.

      “Get in, Honey,” she said to Slick Danny.

      Slick Danny crossed to the passenger side, mouthed “Montebella’s secretary,” and hopped into the car. He waved as they sped away.

      She was ugly? Man, he had high standards.

      I must have stood there for a while staring into space, ’cause when I looked around the lot was empty, except for a dark blue van with white-walled tires pulling in. Evania Peterson slipped out from behind the wheel.

      “What are you doing here?” I asked.

      “You aren’t hard to find. Well that, and your cousin called to let me know they’d arrested the real murderer. Nice girl, your cousin.” She moved to my side, leaned into my arm. “A PI, huh? Should have known.”

      I decided I kind of liked her spicy perfume. Still tickled my nose though.

      “So, handsome, how about that dinner?”

      “S-Sure.” I was in no hurry to see my uncle. “But you better drive.”