We heard the elevator stop at our floor and did our best to look busy; we don't want clients to think we sit around all day, even though that was pretty much what we did.
I felt a rush of air as Elizabeth whirled in. Ed rose to meet her and I followed. I was expecting a bohemian artist but she was just the opposite. Elizabeth was about thirty-five and manicured to within an inch of her life. She wore a chiffon dress that made her look like she should be waltzing. I suspect she was more interested in being a starlet than an artist.
'I am so pleased to meet you and thrilled that you're going to publicise my event. I feel Memories of Summer is my best work to date,' Elizabeth gushed.
'That will make our job easy,' I smiled, 'Ed was just saying how truly impressive it was.'
'Oh you!' She lightly hit his arm.
'I'll make some coffee. You two head to the board room and get started,' I offered.
'Let's do that,' she lowered her voice and winked at Ed.
I took her coffee order and gave him an encouraging smile that wasn't reciprocated. I would mention that in his performance review.
CHAPTER FIVE
That afternoon I had the office to myself. I was working on a presentation for a publicity client and it was blissfully quiet until my phone rang. I leapt about a foot off the chair. I answered on the second ring.
'I have a date, what do you want me to find out?' asked an excited female voice.
'Who is this?' I asked knowing full well it was Melanie.
'It's me dopey, who else would it be?' she said in exasperation.
'I'm a busy private investigator and publicist, Mel, it could be anyone of a hundred people!'
'How many calls have you had today?'
I thought about it.
'Ed's had three.'
'That doesn't count.'
'Okay, fine. One. From Dom. So you've got a date with the stallion?'
'Yes, so I win the challenge!' Melanie gloated.
'I knew you would. He was checking you out when he delivered your ricotta ravioli.'
'Was he?' She sounded delighted. As if she hadn't known. 'So what do you want me to find out?'
I sat back and thought about it.
'I don't know.'
'Well, haven't you got a textbook - Detecting 101? See what it says!' Melanie contributed.
'That's a great idea! It's next to my How to run a Publicity Company book, just hang on and I'll check it.'
'Very funny. Okay, I'll just remember everything,' Melanie suggested.
'Mel, that would be great. Notice the little things. You know, who calls him, how he reacts to the calls, how he reacts to other people. Look for anyone loitering or being aggressive around him. Oh, and find out what sort of things he collects.'
'You mean like stamps?'
'Yes. He said he collects things he likes. So find out what that means if you can?'
'Sounds weird. I now have visions of embalmed bodies in his apartment,' Melanie groaned.
'Don't worry. I think you're pretty safe, besides I've been to his apartment and it's clear of bodies. Oh, I thought of something: see what Ren thinks of Vince's ex-girlfriend - it may come in useful before I speak with her.'
'Who's Vince?'
'A friend who's been living with Ren because his girlfriend dropped him. Where is Ren taking you?'
'Out for drinks first and then dinner, don't know where. Hopefully not to his restaurant again. He said to dress up.'
'Woo hoo,' I teased. 'I haven't dressed up for ages.'
'Well, get Dom onto it.'
'He'll say he did that the first few dates, now he's paid his dues!'
'Men,' we said in unison.
'Got to go, Mel. Have fun, be careful and call me in the morning.'
'I will. Ciao!'
I hung up and looked at my watch: 4 pm. I had to throw myself into Ren's case tomorrow. I was taking too long. There was a bomb expert to speak to and I had to find the detonator. And speak with some of Ren's work and soccer friends. I checked my diary. Ed and I had a meeting first thing in the morning with the manager of the water conservation campaign. I grabbed the water file. The meeting was really just a wrap up and a chance to see what other business we could get from them.
I drew a line in the diary from 10 am to 5 pm and wrote Renzo next to it. Ed had enough to keep him busy with Memories of Summer. If nothing else came in for another week, I'd happily have time to dedicate to Renzo's case. It never worked like that though; it was either feast or famine.
****
Watching three crime shows in a row is not a good idea when you live alone. I turned off the television and went to the kitchen to rinse my tea cup. Atlas followed me to the bathroom and waited while I brushed my teeth, then he watched me get into bed before deciding he wanted to sleep in his basket. We smiled at each other when we were comfortable.
Fifteen minutes later, a noise woke me. I sat up on full alert. Worse still, Atlas had heard it too. He was emitting a low growl and all of the hairs on his back were standing up. I got out of bed, deciding I would rather be killed while investigating than waiting to be found. We tiptoed to the edge of the staircase and looked down. Atlas's tail started wagging.
'Hey!' Dominic announced, taking his key out of the door lock.
'Hi. You scared me half to death. I didn't know you were coming over,' anger rose in me as my heart hammered in my chest.
His face fell when he heard my tone.
'Oh, sorry. Do you want me to go?'
'No, no!' I assured him. Atlas ran down the stairs to meet him. I took a deep breath. 'You scared me, that's all.'
He patted Atlas then took the stairs two at a time and held me.
'Sorry Jesse. Wow! Your heart's going a hundred miles an hour.'
'I was watching the crime trilogy,' I confessed.
'Ah-ha, that'll do it every time,' he held me close, resting his chin on my head while his hand rubbed my back.
'I'm okay.'
'Shh.'
I waited until he decided I was fit enough to be released. He didn't take my pulse.
'Sorry, I'll call from now on,' Dom said.
'No, it's okay. Really.' We moved from the hallway into the bedroom. 'Atty the warrior dog was on duty.'
I gave Atlas a pat. He seemed pleased with the title. He sniffed Dom's pants then went back to his basket.
'Can I stay?' he asked.
'Of course. You don't have to ask.'
'Good. I'm just going to have a shower. You keep reading,' he glanced at the open book on the bed.
'How was your mum?' I called as he entered the ensuite.
'Good. She asked after you and invited you over next time. I told her you had a client meeting tonight that you couldn't get out of.' I heard the shower running.
'Yes, a meeting with the crime trilogy,' I mumbled. Going to his mother's was an ordeal. She spent most of the evening asking when we would get married and have children. She had five grandchildren already, but she needed another one from Dom, her youngest son.
Ten minutes later, he walked out of the bathroom still damp and crawled into bed