Double Doublecross by James Saunders Read Free Book Online Page A

dinner from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave oven. No wonder she did not want him to have her telephone number.
    He switched on the television and started to eat his dinner. ‘It’s a bit tasteless,’ he thought. ‘Better start some home cooking.’ Although he was quite an accomplished cook, Rick seldom cooked for himself. He thought it pointless to cook for one person.
    As he ate his dinner, he was thinking of the information that he had gleaned from Bill Janson. Sara had lied to him about living with Carl although she had said she was leaving him. He thought the least she could do was to come clean and tell him that she had been living with Carl at Casa Diablo.
    â€˜Maybe she was a compulsive liar,’ Rick mused. The thought occurred to him but he dismissed it. Obviously she had her reason for hiding the truth, and he didn’t want to jeopardize their relationship—at least, not at this point in time.
    The telephone in the family room chirped. “Why can’t it ring like a proper phone?” Rick said out loud to himself. He waited for the third chirp. If it was Sara, he didn’t want to appear to be too anxious.
    â€œRick Jacobs here,” he said in his casual voice. “Who’s calling?”
    â€œIt’s me, Rick. Sara. I’m wondering if you’re having any luck finding me a place to live. I’m beginning to feel desperate. Don’t forget, I have to move out by the weekend. I really can’t afford to stay where I’m living right now.”
    â€˜I bet you can’t,’ he thought. ‘Should I ask her again where she’s currently living? Why not? Perhaps she will unload the truth on me.’
    â€œLook, Sara, if you’re short on next month’s rent, let me loan it to you over the holiday period, and there’s no hurry to pay me back. I can write a check now and bring it over to you right away. At least it will buy you a bit more time for us to do a more thorough search. As I said before, this is not a good time of the year to go looking for a place to live.”
    Sara felt panic rip through her body. Her brain went numb. She had to think of a plausible excuse quickly without raising suspicion.
    â€œYou know, Rick. That’s a generous offer and I appreciate it very much. I really don’t feel like getting myself indebted to anyone, plus I have to see an agent this evening about a possible commercial and I’m about to wash my hair and get ready to meet him. Thanks all the same.”
    â€œYou’re welcome,” he said. “The offer still stands if you think of changing your mind.”
    â€œAlright, Rick. I’ll give you another call tomorrow evening. Bye for now.” With that, she quickly hung up without saying another word.
    Rick stood there with the phone in his hand. ‘If that wasn’t the brush off, then what was it?’ he deliberated.
    He wished that he had her phone number so he could call her back. How could he find it? Of course, he could try the phone directory. Now, what was Carl’s surname? Regis! That was it! His name was Carl Regis. He flipped through the pages and looked under Regis and found no Carl Regis.
    There must be a way. Maybe Bill Janson would know. He picked up the San Ramon Yellow Pages and picked out the first number he could find and called Bill’s number. After five rings Bill Janson picked up the phone.
    â€œJanson here,” the gruff voice said. “How can I help you?”
    â€œHi, Bill, it’s me, Rick Jacobs. Hope I’m not disturbing you. I need your help with something.”
    â€œWell, this is an honor. Twice in one day. I hope it’s nothing complicated. My brain goes dead this time of day. Anyway, shoot!” he bellowed.
    â€œI’ve just tried to call Carl Regis and got a Pete Ralston on the line. I think I’ve got the wrong number. I must have written it down incorrectly. Can you connect me to him