Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 04 - Dirty Deeds by Christy Barritt Page B
Authors: Christy Barritt
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jerked to a halt.
I stared at the woman as if she might be a crazed killer. But, no, she was just a grieving mother. I tried to remember that and ignore the fear that started to rise in me. I cleared my throat, about to offer some platitude that I’d probably later regret. Before I had a chance to, she started.
“You’re an investigator?”
I tried to step back but couldn’t. “That’s right.” Again, not a good time to go into the details of it now. Po-ta-toe, po-tah-toe, right?
“I want to hire you to find Jacqueline.”
“I’m not sure what I can do here.” I practically stuttered as I said the words.
A promise is sacred. I think I’d just read that in my devotional last week. It signifies trust.
“You’ve got to be able to do more than what’s currently being done. I’ll pay whatever your cost. Money isn’t a problem.”
I had to get out of this somehow. “But Clint—”
Mrs. Harrington raised her index finger, one with a very pointy red fingernail, I might add, up in the air. “Clint is her boyfriend. I am her mother. I’m the one calling the shots here, no matter what that redneck thinks.”
I sucked in a long, deep breath. “I see.”
“Will you do it?”
How could I say no to someone in need? It wasn’t like I needed to go undercover or anything. I could simply look around on the web, ask a few questions, keep my ears open. It wouldn’t be investigating by the strictest definition.
I knew in my heart I was trying to justify things, though. I knew I should say no, or at least talk to Riley first about revising my promise.
But then a tear trickled down Jackie’s mom’s face.
I thought about my own brother who’d been kidnapped, only to reappear in my life nearly twenty years later. I remembered my family’s grief, how his disappearance had torn us apart. We’d never been the same afterward.
My dad started drinking to drown his guilt. My mom worked two jobs to make up for my dad’s bad decisions. I began the endless task of trying to right my mistakes since I’d been the one watching him when he was taken.
Mrs. Harrington grabbed my arm. “Please, Gabby. If it makes you feel better, we wouldn’t have to tell anyone. It would just be between you and me.”
Her words drove away my doubts. This could be our secret. No one would have to know except Mrs. Harrington and me. I could do this, and Riley would never have to know.
I nodded. “I’ll do it.”
She sniffled and wiped away her tear using a tissue she pulled from her purse. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” She let go of the button long enough for the elevator to start its ascent, only to press it again. We jerked to a stop. “I’ve called the police, as well.”
“You did?” I blinked in surprise. How did Clint feel about that? But she was right. This should be her call. She was Jackie’s mom.
“So why do you need me?”
She raised her pointy little chin in what I would call defiance. “I trust you more than the police. Besides, my first husband used to always say two heads were better than one. Maybe between you and law enforcement officials, one of you will discover something.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
“If you find out any information, I’m in room 4561.”
She let go of the button. We started moving. Until she pressed it again. My stomach dipped. We’d probably moved a whole four inches since I stepped foot inside this elevator.
That was getting really old.
“I should tell you that they’re in your room right now.”
“What was that?” I put my hand on the mirrored wall, trying to brace myself for any more sudden moves or stops.
“The police. They’re searching your room. I thought you should know.”
So much for that relaxing evening.
***
“I do apologize for this inconvenience, but since this room is now part of a potential crime scene, we’re going to have to move you to a new room.”
I stared at the man standing in my doorway. He
I stared at the woman as if she might be a crazed killer. But, no, she was just a grieving mother. I tried to remember that and ignore the fear that started to rise in me. I cleared my throat, about to offer some platitude that I’d probably later regret. Before I had a chance to, she started.
“You’re an investigator?”
I tried to step back but couldn’t. “That’s right.” Again, not a good time to go into the details of it now. Po-ta-toe, po-tah-toe, right?
“I want to hire you to find Jacqueline.”
“I’m not sure what I can do here.” I practically stuttered as I said the words.
A promise is sacred. I think I’d just read that in my devotional last week. It signifies trust.
“You’ve got to be able to do more than what’s currently being done. I’ll pay whatever your cost. Money isn’t a problem.”
I had to get out of this somehow. “But Clint—”
Mrs. Harrington raised her index finger, one with a very pointy red fingernail, I might add, up in the air. “Clint is her boyfriend. I am her mother. I’m the one calling the shots here, no matter what that redneck thinks.”
I sucked in a long, deep breath. “I see.”
“Will you do it?”
How could I say no to someone in need? It wasn’t like I needed to go undercover or anything. I could simply look around on the web, ask a few questions, keep my ears open. It wouldn’t be investigating by the strictest definition.
I knew in my heart I was trying to justify things, though. I knew I should say no, or at least talk to Riley first about revising my promise.
But then a tear trickled down Jackie’s mom’s face.
I thought about my own brother who’d been kidnapped, only to reappear in my life nearly twenty years later. I remembered my family’s grief, how his disappearance had torn us apart. We’d never been the same afterward.
My dad started drinking to drown his guilt. My mom worked two jobs to make up for my dad’s bad decisions. I began the endless task of trying to right my mistakes since I’d been the one watching him when he was taken.
Mrs. Harrington grabbed my arm. “Please, Gabby. If it makes you feel better, we wouldn’t have to tell anyone. It would just be between you and me.”
Her words drove away my doubts. This could be our secret. No one would have to know except Mrs. Harrington and me. I could do this, and Riley would never have to know.
I nodded. “I’ll do it.”
She sniffled and wiped away her tear using a tissue she pulled from her purse. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” She let go of the button long enough for the elevator to start its ascent, only to press it again. We jerked to a stop. “I’ve called the police, as well.”
“You did?” I blinked in surprise. How did Clint feel about that? But she was right. This should be her call. She was Jackie’s mom.
“So why do you need me?”
She raised her pointy little chin in what I would call defiance. “I trust you more than the police. Besides, my first husband used to always say two heads were better than one. Maybe between you and law enforcement officials, one of you will discover something.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
“If you find out any information, I’m in room 4561.”
She let go of the button. We started moving. Until she pressed it again. My stomach dipped. We’d probably moved a whole four inches since I stepped foot inside this elevator.
That was getting really old.
“I should tell you that they’re in your room right now.”
“What was that?” I put my hand on the mirrored wall, trying to brace myself for any more sudden moves or stops.
“The police. They’re searching your room. I thought you should know.”
So much for that relaxing evening.
***
“I do apologize for this inconvenience, but since this room is now part of a potential crime scene, we’re going to have to move you to a new room.”
I stared at the man standing in my doorway. He
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