Page 149 of The Last Good Man

“He’s been their client for six months. He came highly recommended by another agency. He’s clean, boring, and not into kinks. And he pays handsomely. He also gives them gifts. Not the biggest dick, but he makes things work somehow.”

“She said that?” I ask him incredulously.

He nods, grinning.

“Yes, she did.”

“I bought her an ice cream, and we sat at a table in a coffee shop nearby.”

“You’re nuts.” I slap him jokingly upside the head. “That’s not what your job was all about.”

“You told me to gather information. I didn’t do anything illegal.Shewas nice. I felt sorry for her.”

“Did she give you her number?”

“No.”

“Noah?”

“Yes, she did. But I won’t call her unless it’s job-related.”

“Didn’t she ask you why you wanted to knowall that stuff?”

He slumps back into his seat and finishes his soda.

“She did, and I told her my older sister had been dating that jerk, and I had secretly gathered information for her. She confirmed the man was actively dating. Apparently, there is some downtime with these sex activities, and they got to the pillow talk part.”

“You, brother, seem to have gotten to the pillow talk part with her as well," I say, pointing to him with my finger. “Watch out with these women.”

He goes pensive all of a sudden.

“What else you’ve got?”

“Nothing. Although, I’ve heard your sweetie talk on the phone. She’s going to an art event tomorrow.‘Or so she thinks.’I’m quoting her.”

“She didn’t see you.”

“Of course, she didn’t see me. I’m not stupid.”

“Good. You did well.” I run a hand down the back of my neck. “I’ll take it from here. I’ll let you know when I have more work for you.”

“Anytime, brother,” he says, pushing upright in his seat and eating more lasagna.

I watch him with vacant eyes for a few more seconds before rising from my seat and going to the other room.

I grab my phone and make a call.

“Hey… It’s me,” I say quietly. “I’ll take all the jobs. And yes. You can book me for that circuit.”

The voice at the other end of the line reaches my ear.

“Noted. I’ll let him know.”

With that, we end the call.

27

MELODY

---