Rebecca Winters - My Private Detective

“Ms. Ellis, I’m sure you’re aware that her case will require the best criminal investigator around. He needs to be someone who’ll look at it in a completely fresh way. Someone who won’t be intimidated by Jenke or persuaded by the evidence that put Dana behind bars in the first place.

“There are investigators like that, but it’s hard to find them, let alone convince them to take a case that’s already been settled.”

Since the class, Gideon Poletti’s image had never left her mind. “I-I’ve found someone who’s a detective’s detective. Given a little more time, I may be able to persuade him to take Dana’s case.”

“Good for you! I’ll work with you any way I can. We’ll pray for a different outcome. Dana’s an innocent woman.”

“She is. I won’t rest until she’s back home. Under the circumstances, my parents and I would like to formally retain you as our attorney to help Dana. We’ll let the Turners know what we’re doing. They’re so deep in despair right now, maybe this will give them some hope.”

“They’re more fortunate than they know to have someone like you on their side.”

“Dana and I grew up next door to each other, Mr. Cobb. I’m an only child and I couldn’t love a sister more than I love her. As for my parents, they love her like a daughter. No matter how long it takes, I’ll fight to get her out of prison.”

“Be assured I’ll do everything in my power to help make that happen. Call me when you’re ready to meet.”

“Thank you very much. Expect a retainer in the mail in the next few days.”

“Let’s not worry about that right now, Ms. Ellis. Good luck. I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Heidi hung up, more convinced than ever that a man with a reputation like Daniel Mcfarlane’s would’ve made sure he sent the best detective in the business to replace him.

If Detective Poletti couldn’t come up with new evidence, no one could.

But Mr. Cobb had hit on one major problem. Her teacher was a human being with a personal life and a career that might make it impossible for him to take on Dana’s case.

As Heidi saw it, she’d have to make him care about her friend. The way to do that was to be certain her synopsis was the masterpiece he’d alluded to.

“DAD, THERE’S MAX!” Kevin started waving.

Gideon turned his head in time to see his closest friend walk through the crowded dining room of the Jolly Roger. Their friendship went back eighteen years or more. Gideon could honestly say he’d never seen Max this happy. Marriage had transformed him. The news that he was going to be a father soon kept a perpetual smile on his face.

“Hey, Kev, how’s it going?” The tall, dark-haired man patted Kevin’s shoulder before sitting down in the booth next to him.

“Great! Where’s Gaby?”

“She had to attend a seminar after work.”

“Heck,” Kevin muttered.

Gideon grinned. “So, lonely old you took us up on our invitation. I guess we’re better than nothing.”

Max grinned back. The guy was crazy in love with his wife, Gideon mused for the thousandth time.

At twenty-two, Gideon had fallen for Fay. He’d thought she’d loved him, too. But the affair she’d had during their engagement, plus the other affair after their marriage, had destroyed that belief.

He’d had several serious relationships with women since his divorce. But something had always prevented him from proposing. It wasn’t only the trust factor. Now that he’d turned thirty-seven, he realized he’d been waiting for his soul mate all along.

Someone who spoke to him, body, mind and soul.

Instantly an image of Heidi Ellis filled his head. She’d been making an appearance there more often than not since last Friday night. Just the prospect of seeing her in a little while practically doubled his pulse rate.

“Did I tell you Gaby saw the doctor last week and we’re having quadruplets?” he teased.

Gideon nodded.

“Dad! Hey, Dad—”

“What is it, son?”

Both Max and Kevin broke into laughter. Gideon looked at the two of them. “What’s wrong?”

Max turned to Kevin. “How long has your dad been like this?”

“Since last Friday.”

“What happened last Friday?”

“Daniel Mcfarlane had to have an operation, so he asked Dad to teach his criminology class at Mesa Junior High. That’s where we’re going after we eat. It’s a bunch of mystery writers who signed up for adult education.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah. He read me their stories. Most of them are pretty weird.”

Gideon saw the gleam in Max’s eyes and knew exactly what he was thinking before he spoke.

“Mystery writers, eh? My guess is, most of them are women.”

“Two are men,” Kevin volunteered.

“Interesting.”

“I liked the one about the mummy that was discovered in the basement of this museum in New York. But it smelled, so they unwrapped it and found a corpse. The person had only been dead for about a week and—”

“Kevin, let’s change the subject. The waitress is bringing our orders as we speak.”

While their hamburgers and shakes were being served, Max’s shoulders shook in silent laughter.

“Why didn’t you pick that story, Dad?” Kevin asked after taking a huge bite of his burger. “It’s a lot better than the one about those call girls who poisoned the brownies.”

At this point Max let out a burst of laughter. “I think I’m going to have to come to class with you.”

By now Gideon was chuckling.

“Dad? A call girl’s a prostitute, right?”

“Yeah, Dad…” Max baited him gleefully.

“You’ll learn everything you need to know in class.”

“Chicken,” Max said under his breath.

“I’ll remind you of this moment when your son or daughter starts asking questions one day.”

“I can hardly wait.” Max was no longer joking, and the emotion in his voice said it all. The man was counting the hours until he could hold his own child in his arms. Gideon glanced at his son. Thank God for Kevin.

“So, tell me more about your students.”

“Dad says most of them are older ladies.”

Kevin’s running commentary was getting Gideon into deeper water by the second.

“They’re a happy, enthusiastic group of people.”

“Which one isn’t older?” Max asked dryly before filling his mouth with fries.

“Kevin? Would you mind telling our waitress to bring us some more water?”

“Sure.”

The second he got up, Max said, “Who is she?”

“It’s a moot point if she’s already taken.”

“But you’re interested.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe, hell! Is she married?”

“No.”

“What’s she like?”

“She’s…” Gideon swallowed hard. “A candle flame in the darkness,” he said softly. He didn’t know where those words came from; he wasn’t usually given to poetic statements. But somehow this was exactly what he meant—what he felt.

Max straightened in his chair. “Good Lord.” All amusement had left his expression. “You sound like me when I first met Gabriella. Come on. I want a total description here.”

“Her name is Heidi Ellis. She’s a flaming redhead with blue eyes. Stands about five-two. Fantastic figure. Depending on her emotions, she’s cute, beautiful, adorable, sexy and…”

“And what?”

“I don’t know the rest. She’s a geography teacher, not a writer. In fact, the class is being held in her room. But I know that’s not the reason she was on the verge of tears when she thought I might not let her into Dan’s class. I sensed all kinds of undercur—”

“The waitress said she’d be right over.” Kevin interrupted, resuming his place.