Death at King Arthur's Court by Richard; Forrest Page B

and really needs her rest.’ He softly closed the sliding glass doors. He looked at their skeptical faces. ‘She is forced to sunbathe without clothing because of her stage career. She cannot have panty and bra lines on her body that will show while she dances.’
    â€˜You just happened to run into her at Sarge’s place? Over a drink, she just happened to ask if you knew a good spot for nude sunbathing?’ Rocco asked as he reunited the red panties and bra.
    â€˜So, OK, I knew her from last year and we’ve met a few times since. One night when I was in Boston on business, Morgan called my hotel and asked me over to the Combat Zone for what he said would be a couple of laughs.’ He gestured with his shoulder toward the naked woman on the deck. ‘Bambi was on the runway of the White Pussy Cat doing her thing. Morgan tried to convince me that her act was a humorous and awkward example of our decadent culture, completely devoid of aesthetics. He called it a genuine piece of prurient Americana conceived and dedicated to the birthplace of puritanism, Massachusetts. I saw through his scholarly observations the instant he stuffed the first twenty in her G-string.’
    â€˜Did you do any G-string stuffing?’ Rocco asked.
    â€˜Bambi is a very loving and generous person,’ Clay answered. ‘And that sums it up. All right, fellows, you forced your way in here, so what is it that can’t wait?’
    â€˜It’s about Morgan,’ Lyon said.
    â€˜His murder was on the TV,’ Clay said. ‘I assume those Satan nuts got him.’
    â€˜We see that you are overwhelmed with grief,’ Rocco observed. ‘And sleeping beauty on the sun deck is exhausted from her mourning.’
    â€˜It would be hypocritical for me to pretend,’ Clay said. ‘Lyon and others know how I felt about Morgan. As for Bambi, I have been able to make arrangements for her child, and she is most appreciative.’
    â€˜Like how appreciative for what?’ Rocco asked.
    â€˜As soon as I heard about the murder, I worked out a solution with Bambi over any claims she might have against the estate.’
    â€˜Then the baby was Morgan’s,’ Lyon said.
    â€˜Of course. I’ve made arrangements with Bambi for Barney to get two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from the estate if she signs off without further legal hassles. That seems to be satisfactory with her.’
    Rocco nodded. He stepped through the glass door and walked over to the nude woman. ‘I’m glad she’s happy with that arrangement, Clay.’ He lifted the portion of the folded towel that lay over her upper face. ‘Yep, real glad she’s happy over that settlement, because this woman is dead.’

Eight
    â€˜What in the hell are you talking about?’ Clay took three running steps toward the deck before he stopped at Rocco’s raised-hand command. Rocco lifted the woman’s limp wrist and let it fall. The hand fell back against her body without resistance. ‘This is crazy. Ten minutes ago she was waltzing around the room peeling off her clothes in a sexy little dance.’ He moved closer to the chaise lounge as Rocco stepped aside. ‘Come on, Bambi, quit the … Oh, my God!’ Clay turned away and grabbed the deck rail with both hands.
    â€˜I told you she was dead,’ Rocco said, without taking his eyes from the stricken accountant. Clay nodded agreement.
    Lyon found the grief-stricken man’s body language very convincing. It either signified complete shock, or indicated that Clay was a consummate actor, or perhaps a complete sociopath. He knew that the amoral could don any emotional pose they desired in a manner so convincing that they could pass a lie-detector test given by the most experienced operator.
    â€˜She must have had a massive heart attack,’ Clay said. He ventured another quick look at the corpse. ‘Look, her body isn’t disturbed