Prelude to the Night

"Is this your assistant?"

She lowered her sunglasses slightly, peering over the rim at Nolan.

Nolan felt a strange chill run down his spine.

"He is."

"Mind if I borrow him for a couple of days?"

"Not at all." Vance didn't hesitate.

"Let's go, Nolan."

Stella swung her long legs forward and walked out of the building.

Nolan shot a desperate, wordless look toward Vance.

His expression seemed to say,