The Scent of Murder by Barbara Block Page B

couple of steps to the left and banged into a trash can. Richmond didn’t turn around. I don’t think he even heard. All his attention was focused on what was going on inside the room.
    From where I was standing, I was able to catch a glimpse of two men. One was Charlie Richmond. The second man looked familiar, but I couldn’t put a name to him. They were both standing close to each other. They were breathing hard. Their hair was mussed. Their ties were askew. Their bodies were rigid. They were staring at each other with the all-consuming attention you either give to your lover or to your mortal enemy. In another couple of seconds the punches were going to start flying.
    â€œListen, you cocksucker,” Charlie Richmond was screaming. “I’m going to ...”
    â€œWhat?” Brad Richmond bellowed. “You’re going to do what?”
    The two men sprang apart.
    Charlie Richmond turned to face his uncle. His ears were red. His lips were quivering. “Good. I’m glad you’re here. It saves me the trouble of calling you.” He went over to the conference table, picked up a piece of paper, and waved it in the air. “This is it. The end. I want your son out of this building now.”
    â€œYou’re the one that’s going,” Brad Richmond’s son sneered.
    â€œI don’t think so,” Charlie Richmond said.
    â€œThis time daddy isn’t here to protect you.”
    Charlie Richmond balled up the piece of paper he was holding and crushed it in his palm. “His death was real convenient for you, wasn’t it?”
    â€œExactly what are you implying?”
    â€œEven a moron like you can figure it out.”
    â€œFuck you.” Brad Richmond’s son clenched his fists and began bouncing up and down on his toes. “Fuck you where you breathe.”
    â€œStop it,” Brad Richmond yelled. “Both of you shut up.” He took another step inside and kicked the door shut behind him. It closed with a thud. The door must have been a fire door because, while I could still hear voices rising and falling, I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Not that that kept me from trying. I was as close to the door as I could get without actually putting my ear against it when I became aware of someone at my elbow.
    It was Brad Richmond’s secretary. “Would you like to wait in Mr. Richmond’s office?” she chirped. “I’m sure this won’t take very long.” Her voice sounded as if she’d dipped it in syrup. Just listening to her made my teeth ache.
    I straightened up. A person of finer sensibilities would have been embarrassed at being discovered this way, but since my sensibilities are pretty base, I didn’t have that problem. I just moved down the hall a little. I wanted to be able to see if anyone opened the door.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” I asked.
    Elizabeth Walker shrugged and gave her nails a quick perusal. They were colored a deep pink. “It’s just Charlie and Frank.”
    â€œThey do this a lot?” Judging by her attitude—total indifference—I was willing to bet they did.
    She shrugged again. “Usually they’re not here at the same time.”
    â€œThat’s lucky.”
    â€œI guess.” Elizabeth Walker was obviously not someone who cared deeply about the place she worked for. My guess was that she didn’t care about much outside of herself.
    â€œDo you know what they’re fighting about?”
    â€œNo. I think it’s a personal matter.” She pushed a strand of hair that had fallen over her eye back into place and studied my appearance for a second. It was as if I’d finally penetrated her consciousness. “So how come you’re here? You don’t look like the kind of person Mr. Richmond normally sees.”
    â€œCharlie Richmond hired me to find Amy. I was hoping your boss could help me.”
    â€œShe hasn’t