Page 81 of Touch in the Dark

“She has no other jobs right now?” I ask, a little sceptical.

“Yes, other employees remember, but she said this is something she should be able to compile in a couple of days. Her fee is six hundred a day, so it would be twelve hundred. I agreed, is that okay?”

“Sure,” I swipe a hand down my face. I need some sunglasses, it’s way too bright and far too early after getting to bed after three. As if reading my mind, Janie takes her sunglasses out of her purse and passes them over. They could have been pink and sparkly, and I’d still put them on. As it is, they’re plain black with mirrored lenses. Janie grins at me.

“Okay good, so we should hear back in a couple of days then?” I confirm.

“Correct, and I’ve obviously kept your name out of it. She knows who Atwater is.”

“I’m sure a lot of people do,” I say. “He’s friends with a couple of ex-presidents.”

“He still takes craps the same way we do.”

I bark a laugh at that and my head throbs. I touch my temple and wince. I can’t remember the last time I went out and drank that much. Shit, I really am getting old if it’s affecting me this bad.

“Okay, I’ll call and give her the go ahead. I’m pretty sure part of her success is the way she looks,” Janie adds. “She’s tough as nails from what I gathered when we met but I’m guessing she uses her assets.” I arch a brow. “She’s like supermodel hot, gorgeous auburn hair and legs for miles.”

“We’re hiring her, not looking to hook up with her,” I grin. Janie keeps her private life mostly to herself but over the years we have spent a lot of time together and know a few things about one another. I learned a while ago she is bisexual when she introduced me to a girlfriend.

“Unfortunately, she’s married and has a kid.”

“Unfortunately,” I laugh. “Aren’t you dating someone?”

“We broke up,” she waves a hand. “He couldn’t handle me moving to New York.”

“Why didn’t you say something,” I lean forward in the chair. I might not have an ocean view here, but the lush gardens and swimming pool make for a decent and secluded environment.

“If he can’t deal with me needing to travel for my job then he isn’t someone I need in my life. My job is important to me.”

“Not to the detriment of your personal life. You didn’t need to move to New York, Janie.”

“I wanted to,” she argues. “Live in NYC, are you kidding me. I was having the time of my life there. I’m only back here because my stupid little sister got herself into trouble, but I’ll be back in New York after the holidays.”

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“She’s seventeen, and stupid. And mom thinks the sun shines out of her ass, so she gets away with a lot of crap. My brother is worse than useless in taking care of them. But enough of that. I’m gonna get this all signed off, then I need to go Christmas shopping. I finished everything on your list, and it will all be delivered to the apartment in the next couple of days, gift wrapped and labelled. I also arranged for a car to take Ida to and from the facility to visit Doris.”

“You’re a gem, Janie, honestly. I don’t know that I pay you enough.”

“You pay me just fine. Is that the doorbell?” she turns to look inside.

“Probably Archer.”

“Okay, I’ll let him in on my way out. Do you need anything else?”

“No, go take the day off,” I tell her. “And thanks, I appreciate all this.”

“Just doing my job,” she grabs all her things but leaves the PI file for me.

I glance at the logo. AMDA. Sounds like a drug, I almost laugh. Janie leaves and a few minutes later, Archer strolls out, with his hands in his pockets and a pair of sunglasses on his face. I realise I still have Janie’s. I’ll buy her a new pair for Christmas, on top of her other gift, and her bonus.

“Fuck, who’s idea was it to stay out till three in the morning?”

“Yours,” I indicate the carafe of coffee Janie made and he nods.

I pour out a mug and slide it to him. He takes a few swallows, then sighs and leans back, pointing at the file.

“All sorted, some chick, who looks like a supermodel and her agency name sounds like a drug. By all accounts, she is one of the best. Janie is paying her now, she said she’ll have information in a couple of days.”

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