Free Trifecta by Pam Richter

driving.
    Thoughts of Robin were supplanted by those of Aaron Quijada,
whom she was going to meet in a few minutes.  She had to get the job that Brian
had begun, writing Quijada's memoir.  From that vantage point, taking brother's
place in Los Angeles, she might be able to piece together information about what
had really caused his death.  The funeral had been just yesterday and she still
felt she was in a sad daze, but she reminded herself that she had to concentrate
foremost on getting the job. 
    Julia had come on this quest as a means of resolving things
for herself so she could get on with her life.  If she didn't find out, she knew
she would always regret it.  And she was angry enough now that she wanted revenge
against the person who had beaten Brian and ultimately caused his death.
    Julia passed through West Hollywood, with it's gigantic
billboards, the Hollywood Hills to her right, with their twinkling lights in the
beautiful homes in the hills, and through the 'flats' of Beverly Hills.  Sunset
Boulevard became curvy as she headed toward Bel-Air, where Aaron Quijada lived,
during the quiet hours of twilight.  Certain parts of Los Angeles were very beautiful,
Julia mused, a little surprised at the lush vegetation and rustic, country-like
loveliness as she turned right into the Bel-Air Estates, on Bel-Air Road, from Sunset
Boulevard.  She drove slightly uphill for several miles until she reached the correct
address.
    A closed iron gate barred entrance to the Quijada estate. 
She got out of the car and found a speaker phone in the enormous brick posts which
held the gate.  When she picked up the receiver a male voice at the other end asked
who she was and Julia identified herself.  The gates opened up and she got back
into her car and drove down a long driveway as the gates closed behind her with
a loud, ominous clang, audible even in the car. 
    Now she was entering into the place where she believed
there might be clues about what happened to her brother.  She drove slowly.  The
large estate, which she estimated must encompass several acres, was enclosed by
thick stone walls which were at least six feet high.  For privacy, she assumed.
    The home itself was huge, several tall stories, also with
a stone facade and peaked slate roofing.  The large front windows were leaded in
tiny diamonds.  It was a forbidding structure, almost like a medieval castle.  Enormous
oaks surrounded the home, adding to the sinister illusion.  There were flower gardens
which extended around to the back, but they were all in shadows at the end of the
day and did not brighten the exterior of the place.  The drive was a wide circle
and she could see behind the house for a moment, when she made the expansive curve. 
There was a large patio, a swimming pool and tennis courts beyond the house.
    As Julia stopped, the front door opened and a man stood
haloed in the light from inside the house.  He was heavy and dark.  Beside him stood
a massive dog.  She couldn't make out the man's features, but they gradually became
defined when she walked up the steps toward him.  He was probably in his fifties,
with thick black hair that was slicked straight back from his face.  The eyes were
the most extraordinary feature in the rather heavy face.  They were so dark they
reminded her of blue black plums.  His mouth was large and sensual, but Julia had
stopped looking at the man because the dog was moving forward toward her, a low
growl in its throat. 
    Julia had never seen such a large animal.  Normally not
intimidated by dogs, she stood there, perfectly still, until the dog came up to
her with his head lifted and sniffed audibly at her.  Its nose was wet, she could
feel the moisture as the massive head bent down to snuffle at her hand.
    "Bruno," the man said sternly.  The dog did not
turn around but backed up, stiff legged, until he stood by his master again.
    "He's just a sweet, big puppy," the man said. 
"Now he knows you are