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There was the sound of a key being inserted in the lock on the front door, and I looked at Ranger.
“Our lucky day,” Ranger said. “We don’t have to go searching for Ducker.”
Ducker opened the door, spotted Ranger and me, and went for the gun tucked into his jeans.
“Don’t even think about it,” Ranger said.
“You’re the security guy, right?” Ducker said. “What’s going on? And what’s with the minimum wager with you?”
“Stephanie works with me,” Ranger said. “Where were you at one o’clock last night?”
“I wasn’t anywhere,” Ducker said. “I was here. Like always.”
“Someone broke into Bogart’s office last night and left threatening messages. He was wearing the Jolly Bogart clown suit.”
“Big deal,” Ducker said. “Anyone can get that suit. They sell them at the party store at the mall. You can get the wig and everything. It’s real cheap too.”
“Do you have any idea who broke in last night?” I asked him.
“No, but I’d kiss him on the lips if I found out,” Ducker said. “Bogart is a real asshole.”
“So what do you think?” I asked Ranger when we were back in the Cayenne.
“This is why I’m in the security business and not investigation. I’m good at protecting people. I don’t enjoy this. Unfortunately I’ve failed to protect a new client and I feel compelled to find him.”
“And I’m along why?”
“I need some fun in my life.”
“Jeez.”
He grinned at me. “It’s more than that. I was the point person in my unit when I was in the military. I can sense danger the way a dog can sniff out a rabbit, but I’m not a detail man. You notice things that don’t show up on my radar.”
“Do you think Ducker is a killer?”
“If he is a killer it’s not because he’s gone postal from the Jolly jingle. I think there’s something more going on here.”
“For instance?”
“I don’t know. The crimes are all over the place. They start with industrial sabotage and progress to a bizarre murder, then a murder that’s premeditated but not especially creative, an explosion, and vandalism. It’s almost like they were all done by different people.”
“Don’t forget my door. Someone doesn’t like me snooping around.”
“Another threat like that and you might have to come live with me so I can protect you until the danger has passed.”
“I expect there’s an ulterior motive involved.”
“Yeah,” Ranger said. “There’s that.”
I pulled Dottie Loosey’s file out of my bag.
“I have a favor to ask. I could use some help bringing this woman in.”
Ranger flipped through the file. “Has Connie placed her at this address?”
“Yes.”
• • •
