Page 54 of Sly Like a Fox
Looking around at our guests, I can barely believe how much has changed since that desperate day when I walked into Romance Expected with my last twenty bucks.Red is currently holding court by the coffee station, entertaining Maria and Ryan with edited matchmaking stories.Caroline, who ditched the Anklor name faster than a bad date once her hubby was in federal prison and in no position to contest a divorce, listens in, adding an occasional comment.She’s become a genuine friend over the past several months.
Our business is this weird mix of totally legit business and slightly sketchy methods that somehow works perfectly for us.We’ve been working from our apartment for a few months, getting things rolling, but now we’re ready for the huge step of opening a real office.
Nice furniture and professional art share space with Fenton’s high-tech computer setup and my collection of “research materials”—fake business cards, surveillance gear disguised as office supplies, and the like.To most people, we look like any financial consulting firm.To people who know what to look for, we’re obviously something way more interesting.
“Jenna, darling, this space is absolutely magnificent.”Red approaches with her customary air of satisfaction and a champagne glass that’s definitely not her first.“I’m so proud of what you two have built together.”
“We couldn’t have done it without your introduction.”I’m more sincere than she probably realizes.Red’s matchmaking service gave me Fenton, but more than that, it gave me a chance to become someone I never knew I could be.“Thank you for seeing something in us that we couldn’t see in ourselves.”
“Nonsense.I simply recognized two people who needed exactly what the other could provide.”Red’s eyes sparkle with the mischief that probably makes her so effective at reading romantic compatibility.“I didn’t anticipate your courtship would involve quite so much danger.”
“The best love stories always have unexpected plot twists.”Caroline joins our conversation with the genuine smile that’s replaced the brittle social mask she wore during her marriage to Garret.Her transformation has been almost as dramatic as mine.
The designer clothes and perfect makeup are gone, replaced by comfortable business-casual attire and the relaxed confidence of someone who’s finally living in the real world and planning to work as our office manager.She doesn’t even seem to miss the money, which was impounded for redistribution to his victims, making me suspect she married Garret for love only to discover he wasn’t who he seemed to be.
“How are you doing?”Red asks her.
“Wonderful.I’m really enjoying learning more about the cases here, and how we can help people.”
The pride in her voice makes warmth spread through my chest.Our client list reads like a catalog of corporate America’s favorite victims, including elderly couples whose retirement funds were stolen by fraudulent investment advisors, small business owners destroyed by corrupt corporations, and families whose medical bankruptcies were forced by predatory collection agencies.
Some cases we handle through traditional legal channels while others require more creative approaches that occasionally involve Fenton’s technical expertise and my talent for manipulated social interaction, but all of them represent genuine victories against predators who prey on honest people.
Red gives Caroline a smile.“If you ever want to try dating a shifter, I have some clients who prefer humans.”She slips her a card.“Give me a call.”
Caroline chokes and then laughs.“No, thanks.I’m not interested in dating ever again.”
I notice she slips the card into her pocket despite her protests.
“Speaking of our work—” Fenton appears beside me with two champagne glasses and a satisfied expression.“I just received confirmation that the Morrison case settlement was approved.They’ll be able to reopen their family restaurant next month.”
“That’s wonderful.”The Morrison family’s case had been particularly challenging, involving a complex scheme where their business loan officer was taking kickbacks from competitors to deny legitimate applications.Exposing the corruption required six weeks of deep investigation and some creative computer work that I’m slowly learning, though I’m nowhere near Fenton’s level yet.
“Their daughter wants to name a sandwich after us.”Fenton’s mouth quirks in amusement.“The ‘Nielsen Special’ will apparently feature ‘fox-cunning spices and bobcat-fierce flavors.’”
I burst into laughter, accepting the champagne and marveling at how natural it feels to stand beside him in our shared professional space.“That’s either the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard or the most ridiculous.Probably both.”
Detective Ryan Murphy approaches our group with the slightly uncomfortable expression of someone who’s learned not to examine our methods too closely.Our interaction with him and Maria has evolved to include occasional consultation on our more legally complex cases, though they maintain boundaries about what information they can officially share or acknowledge.
“Congratulations on the new office.”He raises his own champagne glass in a toast.“I hear you’re already booking clients through next month.”
“Word travels fast in the victim advocacy community.”Fenton’s tone carries diplomatic neutrality.“Apparently, people appreciate working with consultants who understand that sometimes justice requires…unconventional approaches.”
“As long as those approaches remain creatively legal.”Ryan’s expression reminds us he’s learned not to ask too many specific questions about our impressive success rate.
I flash him my most innocent smile, the same expression I’ve perfected for deflecting suspicious questions from authority figures.“We maintain the highest standards of creative legality.We’re at least ninety percent compliant with traditional legal frameworks.”
“That remaining ten percent concerns me.”Maria joins our conversation with her usual direct approach.Despite her initial anger about my criminal activities, she’s become a valued ally who occasionally provides insights that help us navigate cases involving multiple jurisdictions and complicated evidence chains.
“The remaining ten percent involves helping people who can’t get justice through traditional channels.”Fenton deploys the diplomatic skills he’s honed through years of social engineering.“Sometimes, that requires thinking outside conventional approaches.”
“Like when you helped the Garcia family recover their pension funds from that investment advisor who fled to the Cayman Islands?”Maria refers to a case where the advisor had disappeared with his clients’ retirement savings to a country with no extradition treaty.
I avoid mentioning how Fenton’s hacking skills had helped us track down hidden offshore accounts and provide anonymous tips to financial investigators in three different countries.“That was a complex situation requiring creative international consultation.The important thing is that elderly couple can afford their medications again.”
Maria shakes her head with what might be fond exasperation.“I’m choosing to interpret that as evidence of your rehabilitation rather than evolution of your criminal methodologies.”
Fenton offers a diplomatic smile that’s served him well in both legitimate consulting and elaborate criminal operations.“Your interpretation is both generous and purposefully wise.”
