Page 29 of Wicked and Claimed

RedHotSavvySleuth: Nothing. Now that I think of it, that’s weird. The city’s rag usually reports any sort of criminal behavior, even a stolen bike or garden tools out of someone’s garage. I can’t imagine why they haven’t reported on something this big.

JasperThePrivateDick: Maybe someone is trying to keep it hush-hush? Possible corruption at play? Seems to be plenty of that everywhere these days. This case is something I’d love to sink my teeth into, but I live too far away to do the legwork. Since we started talking, I’ve read some of your posts. You’re insightful, and you have a can-do attitude. Your local knowledge would be invaluable. I think we’d make one hell of a team. I have experience working disappearances, and I’m tenacious. You game?

RedHotSavvySleuth: You make a compelling pitch, but I’m starting a new job tomorrow. I don’t know how much time I’ll have.

Fuck. Had he come on too strong? Or maybe she’d been hit on by a fellow crime solver before.

JasperThePrivateDick: I get it. My schedule is erratic, and my job is demanding, too. I swear I’m not a perv hoping to send dick pics or ask you for nudes. I really want to get to the bottom of these disappearances, and I’m not close enough to do it myself. Don’t these women deserve our help?

RedHotSavvySleuth: They do. Clearly, someone taught you how to pack extra-heavy bags for that guilt trip.

JasperThePrivateDick: Don’t we all have grandmas? And I did mention that I’m tenacious. It’s one of my charms…

RedHotSavvySleuth: Charms? Is that how the people in your life would phrase that quality?

JasperThePrivateDick: No comment. LOL! But I’m relentless when I’m in pursuit. Once I sink my teeth into something juicy, I won’t let go until I’m fully satisfied. You’ll find I can be insatiably thorough.

RedHotSavvySleuth: My, my, Jasper. Is that silver tongue of yours making promises it can’t keep? I hope you can back up that bravado with actual skill.

Haisley might be fuzzy on just how skilled his tongue was, but he’d be more than happy to remind her.

JasperThePrivateDick: Hang around and find out.

RedHotSavvySleuth: You are smooth and every bit as tenacious as you claimed. I’ll give you that.

JasperThePrivateDick: Yep. The question is, can you keep up?

RedHotSavvySleuth: And you’re cocky, too. Obviously, you don’t know me. But trust me, I can keep pace without breaking a sweat. I love solving a good mystery. And I believe in justice.

That was such a Haisley answer. Good to know that, even if she was barely speaking to him, she hadn’t changed.

RedHotSavvySleuth: So tell me your angle. What about this particular case interests you?

JasperThePrivateDick: I’m a protector by nature. This kind of crap shouldn’t be happening. Women who want a new pair of shoes or whatever shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.

RedHotSavvySleuth: It sucks that more men don’t feel this way. But you didn’t answer my question. Why this case?

Nash grinned. Haisley was testing him, probing for ulterior motives. She was smart as hell, but he didn’t intend to give up until he won her over and she agreed to partner with him on solving these disappearances. Slowly, he’d coax her, then, at the right moment, he would reveal himself…

JasperThePrivateDick: Let’s just say I believe in justice, too.

RedHotSavvySleuth: You a cop? Or a PI, as your handle suggests?

JasperThePrivateDick: Neither. I hate red tape, and I hate criminals. I also have a healthy appreciation for a woman who isn’t afraid to dive in headfirst and get dirty for the right reasons. Since we have justice in common, I think we’ll make one hell of a team, Red. My skills complementing your local expertise? We'll have this case spread wide open in no time. What do you say?

As he hit Send, anticipation rippled through Nash. He was playing a dangerous game. But the thrill of the chase, the delicious tension already simmering between them, was intoxicating.

RedHotSavvySleuth: This case has piqued my curiosity, I’ll admit. Why haven’t I heard a peep about these disappearances? On the other hand, I never said I was looking for a partner.

JasperThePrivateDick: You never said you weren’t, either. C’mon…

RedHotSavvySleuth: I should probably have my head examined, but tell me how you propose we tackle this case together?

Nash fist-pumped the air. Haisley was slowly but surely taking his bait. He licked his lips and carefully contemplated his next move.

JasperThePrivateDick: How about we start with a little reconnaissance? I can dig through public records and see what I can uncover about these disappearances while you carefully see if anyone locally can shed some light. Then we’ll circle back together and come up with a working theory or two. It will be exciting.

And if we happen to find ourselves in need of a private debriefing along the way—with our clothes off—I can think of worse fates.

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