Page 81 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

“As many as you like.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Leave the door open.”

“Of course,” Veronica says innocently.

“And don’t…” It’s no use giving her instructions. She’s just going to be a contrarian or play the lost lamb card. “Jess, I’m going to be in the hall taking a phone call, okay?”

“Kay,” she replies, tucking her tongue out of her mouth as she reaches for a book on the top shelf.

Veronica rushes in to her aid. “Here, honey, let me help you with that.”

At least she’s good for something.

I step out into the hall, far enough that I can’t be overheard, but close enough that I’ll overhear if anything happens between Jessica and Veronica.

“Ricks,” I say as I answer the phone, trying to put on my best “business” voice. After all, Veronica assumed I was taking a business call.

“Hiya, Ricks, how are you doing? It’s Hank Turpin.”

“Well. How are you?”

Hank sighs. I hear his chair creak in the background. I’ve never met the man, but from the picture Sam showed me on his website, he’s a heavyset guy that could compete with the best of the old gumshoes. “Been better, been better.”

“You have updates on our…project?” I say, glancing over my shoulder at the doorway.

“Not much for you, I’m afraid. Followed that lead out to Santa Barbara but it was a dead end. Still working on getting in contact with that old roommate she had after rehab, but –”

“We’re in the red, you’re saying.”

Hank snorts. “You’re all business, aren’t you, Mr. Ricks?”

If only he knew how subtle I’m trying to be, he’d understand my use of businesslike epithets. “Just give it to me straight.”

“Well,” the investigator sighs. “I’m not giving up. I’m still trying to track down information on her fiancé. I called Stanford and they have no record of a Greer Daniels. So, that’s a good start. Of course, he could be using a fake name if he’s that type, but…”

Greer Daniels. Just another version of Hunter Ricks, in a way. I’ve seen a couple pictures of the guy. Suave and overly tan with veneers. Supposedly comes from money.

But people who have made their money illegally always say they’re old money. New money would be too suspicious.

“How optimistic should I be?” I ask, hearing a peel of forced laughter from the other room.

“Oh. Very. Very optimistic.”

From his tone, I am not very optimistic.

“Your case is top of mind for me. My number one priority.”

It better be for how I’m paying him.

“I just wanted to be in touch. Call any time. Especially if you get any new leads.”

“Will do. Thank you for your –”

I’m interrupted by a terrifying screech of, “What?!” from the other room. Veronica’s voice when she’s angry is horrendously shrill.

I don’t bother with the pleasantries of a goodbye to Hank, hanging up and hurrying back into the room. “What’s going on?!” I exclaim. My eyes immediately find Jessica. She’s pressed up against the wall in fear, holding one of her books to her chest, staring at Veronica in fear.

Veronica snaps around to face me, anger blazing in her eyes. “What have you been telling her?”

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