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Spanish-looking.
    ‘Thank you,’ I said. He nodded and smiled.
    ‘The service is the tops. That’s why I always stay here. That and a decent bed.’ He was pouring out a glass of wine for me and pushed it towards me. ‘Those hills over there are a world heritage site. Dancing Ledge is fabulous. I ought to write a piece called Dancing Ledge.’
    ‘Thank you.’ I didn’t seem to know any other words. ‘Dancing Ledge would be a great title.’
    Chuck reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a wedge of paper. It was time to talk business. ‘I’ve been getting this stuff for the last six months. I’m at my wits’ end. Maddy is the love of my life. I’ve shown them to the police but, of course, show-business people get a lot of strange mail. It might be a weirdo. Have a look at them, Miss Lacey.’
    ‘Jordan, please.’ At least I could remember my own name. I sipped the wine, which was heavenly, and leafed through the papers. They were not exactly letters. They were blunt threats to harm Maddy in different ways, with a specific countdown. Someone was counting time, marking off days. I could see the threats were perilously nearing zero.
    ‘Zero is this weekend, the Swanage jazz festival,’ said Chuck, the words snagged in his throat. ‘You’ve got to do something, Jordan. Catch the bugger before he hurts my Maddy.’
    ‘I’ll never leave her side, I promise,’ I said. ‘I’ll be like a stick of glue.’
    ‘She’s a bit rebellious, y’know,’ he said. ‘Typical teenager. No mother to take care of her. Been doing what she liked for years.’
    I didn’t ask about Maddy’s mother. This wasn’t a good time. I’d find out later. Meanwhile I was going to have my work cut out, sticking to a rebellious teenager who would rather be with a certain mop-haired drummer.
    ‘Does she come to all your gigs?’
    ‘She never misses. Always has, ever since she was a toddler.’
    I smiled at Chuck Peters, remembering. ‘I saw her come up on stage once in her pyjamas, to say good night to you, while you were playing. She must have been about five or six. You nevereven stopping playing, but ruffled her hair, gave her a pat and she went off into the wings.’
    ‘She doesn’t do that now. Happy days. You’ve a steward’s badge so you can go in and out of all the shows. No problem. We have a suite upstairs with adjoining bedrooms. But I can’t keep a check on her all the time.’
    ‘Nothing will happen to Maddy while she is in my care,’ I said. ‘And I’ve good friends in the police who will come the instant I call.’
    ‘DCI James? He told me you were once in the police force but prefer being a private investigator. So you’ve a good solid background of detective work.’
    I wouldn’t say a good solid background but there have been successes. And occasionally reward money. Most of which I had now spent on a flat I couldn’t reach without vertigo and a classy car that was a fuel alcoholic.
    ‘Your fee,’ he went on. ‘I’ll pay whatever you say. The accommodation is naturally in the package, so don’t worry about that.’
    ‘A few of your CDs would be nice,’ I said modestly.
    ‘Negotiable.’ He grinned. He reached down onto the lawn. ‘This is your fleece, I think? Maddy said it belonged to a red-haired steward. She thought you did good on the jazz cruise. Keeping everyone calm. So she likes you already.’
    ‘It might not last. I can be strict if I think she’s doing something foolish.’ Like going off at midnight with the drummer.
    ‘You can be as strict as necessary. A firm hand wouldn’t hurt her. I’m feeling more confident about this now that I have met you. Like the gear. Wish Maddy would wear more clothes.’
    I had to laugh. I was in my best indigo jeans, a pale blue long-sleeved denim shirt that was fringed, cowboy boots. My almost dry hair was tied back with a ribbon. Too wet to plait.
    Chuck stood up. I didn’t get up as I was taller than him. ‘Gotta go. Got to go through my