Page 19 of Evidence of Deceit

“Well, it went all right if you discount the parties, alcohol, drugs, and drunks. I don’t know who he is afraid of, but nobody called, threatened or acted weirder than normal.”

“Glad to hear. He’s a good client. His lifestyle choices are not mine to judge, and he pays well. So, he’s a little—well, a lot—paranoid. I’m sure you handled it well.”

Humph. Like he couldn’t tell the guy was paranoid. “Well, I guess if some clients weren’t, we wouldn’t have jobs,” said Joe as he walked her to the door.

“True. Keeps me in business. Okay then, I’m off. See you in the office tomorrow.”

Sam put her hand on the doorknob to open it.

Joe sighed. What was he thinking? Sam took a big chance on him, trusted him, knew his past, knew he had little patience for needy women or men, for that matter, and this was how he repaid her trust?

“Wait.”

Sam stopped and turned.

“I’ll do it,” he said.

She gave him an incredulous stare. “Joe, you don’t have to do this. I know how you feel about guarding people with emotional problems. I don’t want you to feel guilty. I gave you a choice, one that I was comfortable making.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s all good.”

“No, it isn’t. I’ll do it. When and where do I meet this woman?”

Sam let out a slow exhale. “Today. Come by Mark’s house in a couple of hours. We’ll fill you in.”

“Is Claire still at Mark’s?” he asked. But Sam had already left. Joe said goodbye to air.

Okaaay then. Hopefully, she was still there and he had another job. Both filled him with trepidation.

He closed the door. What was wrong with him? He loved his job. It gave him just enough excitement and more than enough alone time. He knew with confidence that the people he worked with would have his back and vice versa. But, in his opinion, women generally were more work than men. Well, except for that movie mogul who was over the edge. Women tended to be more emotional, and he didn’t do emotions. Didn’t understand emotions—hated emotions.

Damn. Later he would meet the new client, and hopefully, she wouldn’t be the clingy, emotional type. He would find out more about Claire.

He walked back to his bedroom, got out his gun and extra ammunition. His feeling was, whenever in doubt, go to the range and shoot until your arm was worn out and your mind wasn’t cluttered with other thoughts. And that was precisely what he was going to do.

The rangeonly energized Joe. The afternoon turned humid. Big, fat gray and black clouds cluttered the sky. Joe heard the distant rumble of thunder. It was going to be a nasty one, the weather report said.

He pulled up in front of Mark’s house, got out and rang the bell.Showtime.

Sam opened the door. “Come on in.”

Joe walked into the comfortable living room.

“Hey, man, how’s it going?” Mark walked out of the kitchen, a to-go cup in his hand. “I’m glad you’re here. I can’t think of anyone I trust more in this situation.”

What the hell was Mark talking about? Trust more?They shook hands and talked a few minutes. While they were standing there, Joe saw movement in his peripheral vision.

Claire! Then a thought hit him like a ton of bricks. Claire couldn’t be the client. But all the praying in the world wouldn’t change the fact that she probably was. She slowly moved into the living room. Her face was pale, and she was clenching her hands in front of her.

“Sam, what the fuck?” he growled. His pulse speeded up, and he wanted to punch something.

Mark stepped in front of Sam. “Back off. Now.”

Sam touched Mark’s arm. “It’s okay. Besides, if I can’t defend myself, I’m in the wrong business.” She turned to Joe. “I don’t appreciate that language, especially from my employee.”

Joe stared at the small woman who had taken a chance on him. He looked over at Claire, who was trembling. He’d caused that.

“I’m sorry. This was just a surprise. You should have told me earlier it was Claire.”

“I know, but you would have rushed right over, and I wanted to pass it by Claire first."

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