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Horton Private Investigations
was still a fledgling business, but as the only PI firm in three counties, I was already getting a steady stream of clients.
It wasn’t too much different than being Moose’s investigative photographer. I hadn’t realized it at the time, but taking pictures was the bulk of the work. Other than dealing with the clients, writing up reports, and depositing the checks, the biggest part of the business was the photographic evidence that I supplied.
I still hadn’t worked out the money part. I needed to go to the bank and set up a business account, but of course, that meant interacting with The Douche, and I tried to avoid doing that unless it was necessary.
“Dammit, Lila,” I whispered, giving myself a mental slap. “You’re not calling him The Douche anymore, remember? We have a truce. It’s Eric…”
Old habits were hard to break.
“Hello, hello,” a voice called from the front of the house, followed by the slamming of the screen door.
Cade always got mad at me for not locking up, but I figured if I was in the house, what did it matter? He always just gave me a look and said nothing.
“Back here,” I replied, looking up from the fax to the door to see Carmen walk through, a big grin on her face.
“The place looks so great,” she began, pushing her sunglasses on top of her head. “I can’t believe how much has changed in such a short time. You should be moving in soon, eh? Anywho, I came by to tell you that I put a button on the side of my blog, advertising your business. I included your phone and fax, but not your address, since your work is your home and vice versa, and we don’t want weirdos popping up whenever they want to catch pimps, drug dealers, and cheaters…”
I was about to say thanks, but realized she was just taking a breath, and wasn’t done. If you didn’t know, Carmen is a talker, and by that, I mean she talks fast, and long. Plus, she’s hyper as hell, with a dose of OCD. She’s a total trip, and I love her. She became almost an instant member of my girl posse.
“Plus, I took out space in the paper, classifieds, and posted the same ad. It’ll run all month, and if you like it, I’ll post it next month as well. The ad on the blog will run indefinitely … Also, because I was talking to the staff about it, I’ve got you a client. It’s this new reporter at the paper, sports section … anyway, he said he’d be contacting you right away, because he thinks his wife’s cheating on him, and he doesn’t know what to do. I told him that cheaters are your specialty, and you’d be perfect for the job.”
She paused again, and I waited, not quite sure if it was my turn to talk or not.
Carmen realized what I was doing and giggled, then waved her hand, indicating it was, in fact, my turn.
“Thanks,” I replied, sincerely. “For all of it. And, if I’m not mistaken, your guy has already contacted me.”
I waved the fax in the air and she snatched it, nodding when she read the name.
“You know you’re always welcome, but why didn’t you just call to tell me this? I’m sure you’re swamped at work.”
Carmen lifted one shoulder in a shrug.
“I needed a break from the office for a minute. That new guy,” she added, pointing at the fax. “He’s been doing nothing but whining and crying about his wife all morning, and I feel for him, really I do, but, Dios mío, grow some balls and do something other than cry about it.”
I snorted at that, then she smiled and added, “Plus, I was hoping maybe you had some cupcakes and I could snag one.”
“On the counter,” I said, pleased that someone else understood the healing power of cupcakes.
We walked into the kitchen, and since the box was open I figured, why not, and grabbed a cupcake myself.
“I’ll give this guy a call and get to work,” I said, and we both took our cupcakes to go.
After getting off the phone with Carmen’s coworker, I headed to the next town over, Gordonswood, which was where his wife worked at some sort of boutique.
I texted Cade to let him know I was going to work, but the key was under the mat, to which he replied:
You need to quit doing that shit.
I parked on the side of the road, a mental picture of Ms. Cheater-pants in my head, and strode into the shop. I was so busy looking for her, that it took me a minute to realize it was a lingerie and sex toyshop.
I immediately got distracted.
“Ohhh,” I exclaimed softly as I pushed through hangers, looking at some cute lace crotchless teddies. I could picture the look on Cade’s face when I walked into a room wearing one of these.
I was so caught up in my fantasy, it wasn’t until I heard a giggle, followed by a low chuckle, that I turned my head to see a woman matching my client’s description heading into the back with a hot, young surfer dude.
