the market to sell.”
“I understand. I’m simply introducing myself in the neighborhood, hoping people will remember me when they do want to put their houses on the market. I know from experience, circumstances can change when we least expect it.”
“You may be right, but I really don’t think that will happen. However, I wish you luck in your endeavors. And, if you don’t mind a little advice from a stranger, the market being what it is today, this might not be the optimal time to concentrate on Rancho Santa Fe properties.”
Laurel gave her sunniest smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time.”
She left as quickly as she could. The woman was pleasant and once again, seemed familiar. Laurel knew her from somewhere.
She hoped she got a decent picture from the blank card camera she’d found on her dad’s desk. She had wondered where he got it, but no more. It was much more high-tech than anything she could get online and reeked of government. She kept promising herself she was going to clean out his office, but she could never quite bring herself to do it. The upcoming weekend seemed like a good time to tackle it. What other treasures might she find?
Gloria sat in the waiting room reading the latest issue of Vogue. Today, she had opted for an off-white pantsuit with a wide, red belt, a necklace and bracelet with red stones—probably rubies, Laurel thought, and red stiletto heels. Good grief. She was in a P.I.’s office. Did the woman have a clue how to dress down?
Silently reminding herself not to let Gloria get to her, she asked her to please come into the inner office and apologized for being late. Sue just rolled her eyes.
Gloria sat down as Laurel closed the door. “My tardiness may have paid off. I want to show you a picture and see if you recognize this person.” She indicated Gloria should come and stand by her so she could see the computer. When it was uploaded, the image was as clear as any she’d ever seen. It paid to work for the government if you could get all their latest toys.
Gloria stared at the picture. “Sure, I know her. That’s Ronnie.”
“Ronnie?”
“Veronica Bakersfeld. The ex-mayor’s ex-wife. We’re in the same bridge club.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not all you have in common.” That’s why she was familiar. Her picture was occasionally in the paper when she attended charity events. Since Laurel rarely bothered to read that fluff, Ms. Bakersfeld wasn’t someone she paid attention to.
Gloria’s eyes grew big. “You mean . . . her ?”
“That’s how it appears.” She told Gloria about staking out the house and seeing the woman leave with Dr. Gunderson. She explained following them and finding out where Ms. Bakersfeld lived--a house that Gloria’s husband owned, and about her encounter this morning where she was able to get the picture.
Gloria shook her head. “I was right about him, but I thought he’d taken up with a younger woman. Ronnie’s at least my age, maybe older, and not very attractive. Sorry, I shouldn’t be so catty.” Laurel didn’t think she sounded at all sorry. “What could he see in her?”
Laurel printed the picture and handed the glossy photo to Gloria. “I don’t think there’s anything else I need to do. You can’t prove in court that he is with her, but it could be helpful with the alimony by just having your attorney show it to his.”
Gloria frowned. “That’s it? You can’t get proof? A picture of them together or something?”
“If I follow him around all the time, it’s conceivable I might be able to get a picture, but I have no clue how long that could take and you seemed eager to get him served. Did I misunderstand you?”
“Not at all.”
“Obviously, they are being careful. Show this to your attorney and tell him everything I told you. Get his advice. If he thinks he can work with what you have, great. If not, find out what more he thinks he needs and we’ll talk
“I understand. I’m simply introducing myself in the neighborhood, hoping people will remember me when they do want to put their houses on the market. I know from experience, circumstances can change when we least expect it.”
“You may be right, but I really don’t think that will happen. However, I wish you luck in your endeavors. And, if you don’t mind a little advice from a stranger, the market being what it is today, this might not be the optimal time to concentrate on Rancho Santa Fe properties.”
Laurel gave her sunniest smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time.”
She left as quickly as she could. The woman was pleasant and once again, seemed familiar. Laurel knew her from somewhere.
She hoped she got a decent picture from the blank card camera she’d found on her dad’s desk. She had wondered where he got it, but no more. It was much more high-tech than anything she could get online and reeked of government. She kept promising herself she was going to clean out his office, but she could never quite bring herself to do it. The upcoming weekend seemed like a good time to tackle it. What other treasures might she find?
Gloria sat in the waiting room reading the latest issue of Vogue. Today, she had opted for an off-white pantsuit with a wide, red belt, a necklace and bracelet with red stones—probably rubies, Laurel thought, and red stiletto heels. Good grief. She was in a P.I.’s office. Did the woman have a clue how to dress down?
Silently reminding herself not to let Gloria get to her, she asked her to please come into the inner office and apologized for being late. Sue just rolled her eyes.
Gloria sat down as Laurel closed the door. “My tardiness may have paid off. I want to show you a picture and see if you recognize this person.” She indicated Gloria should come and stand by her so she could see the computer. When it was uploaded, the image was as clear as any she’d ever seen. It paid to work for the government if you could get all their latest toys.
Gloria stared at the picture. “Sure, I know her. That’s Ronnie.”
“Ronnie?”
“Veronica Bakersfeld. The ex-mayor’s ex-wife. We’re in the same bridge club.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not all you have in common.” That’s why she was familiar. Her picture was occasionally in the paper when she attended charity events. Since Laurel rarely bothered to read that fluff, Ms. Bakersfeld wasn’t someone she paid attention to.
Gloria’s eyes grew big. “You mean . . . her ?”
“That’s how it appears.” She told Gloria about staking out the house and seeing the woman leave with Dr. Gunderson. She explained following them and finding out where Ms. Bakersfeld lived--a house that Gloria’s husband owned, and about her encounter this morning where she was able to get the picture.
Gloria shook her head. “I was right about him, but I thought he’d taken up with a younger woman. Ronnie’s at least my age, maybe older, and not very attractive. Sorry, I shouldn’t be so catty.” Laurel didn’t think she sounded at all sorry. “What could he see in her?”
Laurel printed the picture and handed the glossy photo to Gloria. “I don’t think there’s anything else I need to do. You can’t prove in court that he is with her, but it could be helpful with the alimony by just having your attorney show it to his.”
Gloria frowned. “That’s it? You can’t get proof? A picture of them together or something?”
“If I follow him around all the time, it’s conceivable I might be able to get a picture, but I have no clue how long that could take and you seemed eager to get him served. Did I misunderstand you?”
“Not at all.”
“Obviously, they are being careful. Show this to your attorney and tell him everything I told you. Get his advice. If he thinks he can work with what you have, great. If not, find out what more he thinks he needs and we’ll talk
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