Page 14 of 3rd Tango
He motions at the stack of folders next to my right arm. “Business is good, huh?”
“I don’t like publicity, but in recent months we’ve had a lot and the exposure has been advantageous. “It’s so good in fact,”—I lean back and steeple my fingers—“I’m looking to hire part-time help. You don’t happen to know anyone who might be available?”
Dad taught me that you never know what you’re going to get when you throw your line out, but testing the waters can’t hurt.
The grin Al shoots me tells me he knows exactly what—who—I’m fishing for. “I might know a guy. What kind of work does it involve?”
Mom totally respects this guy, and my own casual background check confirmed he’s thought of quite highly by his former Bureau coworkers. I’m hoping to track down his partner, the real litmus test to reveal any quirks or oddities that’ll upset our group. Meg, Matt, and I are a team. Our system is tried and true, and not everyone will add to that. “The usual—surveillance, a lot of paperwork, bad coffee.”
“I still have my investigator’s license, and I’m a sucker for bad coffee.” He glances around again, as if this somehow gives him a feel for the job opportunity I’ve extended. “I suppose the pay stinks as well?”
I nod, enjoying banter with someone who’s been in the field. “You know it. Small time operations like ours can’t afford big salaries, but we offer perks.”
One of his bushy eyebrows rises. “Health insurance? Paid vacation?”
I look at him as if he’s daft. “Whoa, let’s not go crazy. We do happen to have seasonal tickets to the Wizards’ games. Each employee gets to pick at least three sets for the season.”
Little does he know neither Meg nor I care about basketball. I happen to have a client that’s on the team’s office staff and likes to pay his occasional bill this way. Matt and Haley both enjoy them, so it all works out.
Al rubs his chin as if considering this as a real perk. “Any chance to get a company car or at least a new cell out of the gig?”
I throw my head back and laugh. “You dream big, don’t you? We reimburse mileage, and if you have to make calls that put you over your monthly limit, I’m sure we can make an adjustment in your paycheck.”
He nods like this is a decent negotiation. “Case-by-case basis to start? I get to pick them, of course.”
This would actually be perfect, except for the part that he gets the intriguing and easy investigations and leaves the less-than-desirable ones. “We’ll work something out.”
I hear the buzzer on the front door open again, and wonder who our new visitor is. Clients make appointments, drop-ins are rare.
“Can I have twenty-four hours to think about it?” Alfonzo asks.
He’s stalling. Maybe trying to make me believe he doesn’t miss his Bureau days. “Of course.” I set my hand on top of the folders. “These babies aren’t going anywhere overnight. There are a couple of pretty good ones, too. A former FBI agent could kick them out in no time.”
Dangling the carrot. He nods slowly, still acting as though he’s contemplating the job. “What might seal the deal is getting a bonus for those I close fast.”
“You’re a tough negotiator.”
He gives me a broad, knowing smile. “Why do you think I retired early?”
In the distance, I hear JJ, asking if I’m in. Haley tells him I have a visitor, but of course, this doesn’t stop him from barging down the hallway and appearing in my doorway. He glances at Alfonzo, then at me, then back to my guest. “Hey. Hope I’m not interrupting.”
He knows he is, but doesn’t care by the look on his face. “Al brought information that might help us solve Mom’s case,” I say.
Alfonzo stands to face him, holding out a hand. “Alfonzo Baez. You must be JJ Carrington.”
JJ hesitates a brief second before shaking it. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
I shoot JJ a questioning glance. I’d already told him about Alfonzo and the connection he made to the cabin where Gayle stayed in Virginia all those years ago. Still, I come around my desk and make official introductions. Once that’s completed, I ask JJ, “Was there something important you needed?”
The set of his shoulders and the thrust of his chest as he puts his hands on his hips, brushing back his jacket, tells me there’s a little alpha male rising to the surface. JJ exudes it all the time, but this is another level, and it makes me peek at Al, seeing him in a different light.
Surely, JJ doesn’t think…
“I have business to discuss with you,” he says to me. “I was hoping we could grab an early lunch. I’ll be in meetings the rest of the day.”
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Al, before grabbing JJ’s arm and leading him out and toward the reception area.
“Business?” I ask under my breath.
