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“You’d rather I’d lie?”
Stone nodded. He liked that answer.
“Being a private detective is different than being a cop,” he said, more as a statement than a question.
“It’s different, I still need to follow the law. How’d you know I used to be a cop?”
“Knowing things is kind of my business.” Stone smiled. “If I needed someone who didn’t have to follow the law, I know some people.”
“I bet you do.”
“You know my reputation?”
“Knowing things is kind of my business too. What else do you think you know about me?”
“I know they forced you out of the police. I know you were dating a fellow officer, against the rules but forgivable if that fellow officer isn’t dirty. Unfortunately, yours was.”
“Is that so? I don’t remember it that way.”
“That would make you the only one. I also know you used to fight some, mixed martial arts. You never got close to the big time, but you were good enough no one ruined your pretty face.”
Margot let that go and asked, “What can I do for you, Mr. Stone?”
“I’m out of town a lot.?
?
“I figured as much.”
“My wife doesn’t go with me.”
“Okay.”
“I’m more than a little concerned about what she does while I’m gone. When a man makes a lot of money, sometimes he can play out of his league and find himself with a younger, prettier woman. Some men convince themselves it’s not the money. I’m a little too self-aware to believe that. Over time, sometimes that money isn’t enough.”
“You think your young wife is seeing someone else?”
“I do.”
“Did you ask her about it?”
“I did, but unlike you, I don’t think she’s very honest. Then again, she might be. In truth, I’ve never caught her lying before. I’m paranoid. If I were in another business, I might be institutionalized, but in my chosen field it’s served me well.”
“Probably not the basis for a good relationship.”
“No, it’s ruined more than a few of mine, so I figure, why not get some confirmation one way or the other before I do something stupid and ruin something good?”
“Do you have anything specific that makes you think she’s being unfaithful?”
“No, only my instincts, which are rarely wrong. I’ll be gone for the next week, I figure if you keep an eye on her you’ll either catch her or prove my instincts aren’t as on the money as they used to be.”
“Just observe and report?”
“Of course.”
“It won’t be cheap.”
Margot produced the standard contract with the daily rate for this kind of work.
