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I might look like something the dog chewed and spit out, but I know my manners. So, I stand tall and paste a big, welcoming smile on my face.
“Hi there, I’m Elizabeth Blakely,” I say. “But everyone calls me Liz.”
“Liz, it’s so nice to meet you! I’m Peyton Douglas.” She meets me halfway and shakes my hand. She glances around Ethan’s messy apartment, but her smile never falters. A true professional. “Congratulations on the baby, by the way.”
“Thank you,” I respond. “Would you like to come sit at the table so that we can talk? I’m afraid it’s the only clean spot at themoment.”
Peyton laughs warmly. “Sure, the table is perfect.”
“We just put the baby down for a nap, so we probably have a good hour before he needs to eat again,” Ethan says.
“That’s perfect,” Peyton says, smiling at him. Then she turns to me. “When I talked with Ethan a few weeks ago, he filled me in on everything. He was missing a few details and things I’d like clarification on. Would it be okay if we went over that? I know it must be difficult to talk about.”
“Can I ask you something?” I ask instead of answering her question.
“Of course.”
“It’s been weeks since we’ve gotten a note or heard anything from this person. Do you think it’s necessary to do an investigation at this point? After all, other than notes, no one has attempted to contact me or do anything.”
Peyton smiles in understanding. “I feel it is prudent to look into these notes, even if it is just for your peace of mind. I don’t want to scare you, but it is possible that this person is biding their time and just waiting for an opportunity to contact you.”
“But they haven’t even done anything other than a few little creepy notes,” I protest.
“And for that reason, the authorities won’t be able to do much. But I can. I would like to investigate and find out who is sending them. That way, we can determine whether they’re a real threat.”
Peyton makes a reasonable argument. I’m just afraid I’ve made a big deal out of nothing and will look like an idiot when it all turns out to be harmless.
Ethan takes my hand. “Peyton agreed to take our case because she felt it was important. She would have turned down the job if she thought the case had no merit.”
I nod in reluctant acceptance. “Okay. I’ll help any way I can so that we can clear up this mess as quickly as possible.”
Peyton pulls out a chair from the table and sits down. She unpacks a notebook and laptop from her bag and lays them on the table in front of her. “Wonderful. As I said, Ethan was able to give me most of the information I needed. I still have some questions about your previous relationships. Can you give me the names of any former boyfriends who may have any grudges?”
Ethan and I sit at the table across from the private investigator. “I only have had two former boyfriends over the last several years. There was Holden Bradley and Justin Smithson.”
“And do you have any reason to believe that either of those relationships ended badly with any hard feelings?” Peyton asks.
“No, both relationships lasted about a year and ended amicably. I don’t believe either would hold a grudge. They were mutual decisions.”
Peyton is busily tapping notes on her laptop and nodding as I talk.
“Perfect. I will follow up on those two gentlemen just to clear them from our suspect list. It doesn’t hurt to check all angles. Now, if we could move on and talk about the third note you recently received. Did you see who delivered the flowers?” She glances up from her laptop as she asks her question.
I shake my head. “No, I wasn’t home when they were delivered.”
“And at what time did you leave your home, and when did you get home?” she asks.
“I left around 6:30 that evening and returned around 8:30.”
“You’re sure the flowers weren’t there when you left?” She continues to fire off questions rapidly.
It’s enough to make my head spin, so I take a minute to think about her question. “I was in such a hurry to leave my apartment that I’m not sure,” I respond. “I think I would have noticed if they were there, though.”
Peyton nods and continues typing. “And do you mind me asking where you were during that time period? Right before you came home.”
“I went out to eat with a friend.”
Peyton pauses her typing. “And may I have the name of that friend?”
