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“No. But if you did, you could visit more often. Does Mom know you’re coming? I mean usually, she’d be the one blowing up my phone if you were coming by.”
“Haven’t had a chance to reach out to them yet. I was in Halifax on business. Just figured I’d stop in and see you all on my way back down the coast.”And grab a name and number from you.
“Then I’m sure as hell not making that call. You know she doesn’t like surprises. She's going to flip out that she didn’t have the time to prepare all your favorite foods like she normally does.”
“Good. We can go out and eat instead. I can’t stay long. I’ve got something I’m working on. Something I could use your help with,” I stated.
“My help? I don’t build boats,” he reminded me. “Don’t even like to be on them.”
“I know that. What I’m looking for is more in your line of work. I need the name of a PI. Someone you’d trust.” He had to.
“There is a retired detective from the force who has started his own business. But it would really depend on what you’re looking to do. Unlike me, he’s going to ask a lot of questions. He won’t risk his reputation, not even though you are my brother.”
“Totally understandable. I wouldn’t risk my business either.”How much I tell the guy will depend on what he asks.
"I’ll send you his information. Like I said, I can’t promise he’ll take you on as a client. And FYI, he will know if you’re lying. He was one of the best interrogating detectives we had. He’s missed at the station, but we also have brought him on as a consultant, because he’s that good.”
Was Rian trying to scare me off from using the guy? It wasn’t working. Nothing was going to prevent me from finding Venus and MaKayla. I had to know they were okay.God, don’t let anything have happened. I should’ve come earlier. I should’ve watched over them better.
“No problem. I’ll call him when I get the number. And I guess I’ll see you tonight for dinner,” I replied.
“Sounds good. Looking forward to it.”
“Hey, Rian. Let’s not tell Mom and Dad about the PI. I’d rather keep that between us,” I asked.
“I figured as much. And you know mom will be too busy nagging you about moving closer. Just so you know, I had dinner with her last Sunday and all she did was ask when I was getting married.”
“Didn’t know you were involved with anyone that seriously,” I replied.
He laughed. “I’m not. Since when has that ever-stopped Mom? She even said that if she’d had a girl, they would’ve made her a grandmother by now.”
“She can blame Dad for that. But I’m forty-six years old. Not having a family now. It’s all on you, Rian. And if Mom happens to ask, I’ll remind her of that,” I teased.
“Great. Maybe I am too busy for dinner tonight,” he grumbled and ended the call.
I wasn’t expecting to be seeing him tonight, but I was looking forward to it. It’d been too long. There wasn’t anything I could do to find Venus tonight, so I was just going to enjoy my family. For all I knew I’d be back on the boat tomorrow and sailing home.
A few minutes later I received the text with the information I needed. I called the number immediately.
“Jones, here. What do you need?”
“I was referred to you by my brother, Rian O’Leary.”
“Good man. You must be, Declan.”
“I am. I’m in need of a private investigator to find someone.”
“Want to come to my office now and we can talk?” he offered.
“I’m on a sailboat about three hours away. Would you be free in the morning? Unless you are willing to talk on the phone,” I tried, knowing he was going to decline that suggestion just based on what Rian had told me.
“Morning works. I’ll text you my office address. Be there at eight and be ready to answer a lot of questions. I’m sure Rian told you, if I don’t like what I hear, then I'm not for hire,” he stated firmly.
“He made that clear. I’ll see you at eight,” I stated and ended the call.
With that over, I could sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet of being on the ocean while I could. Tonight was going to be anything but quiet.
There wasn’t another boat in sight. Just the way I liked it. This was my happy place, but I had a heavy weight on me, and happiness wasn’t something I felt now. I had used the fifty thousand I had been paid to start my business. My focus had shifted from them to my business. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to them because I’d fucked up.
