Reel Stuff by Don Bruns Read Free Book Online Page A

already computing.
    â€œSeven thousand dollars,” Em said.
    I was a business major in school, but Em was a math genius. She could do major computations in her head.
    â€œSplit three ways, that’s two thousand three hundred thirty-three dollars apiece.”
    â€œSplit three ways? Apiece? You’re suggesting—” James squinted his eyes, looking at her suspiciously.
    â€œHave you solved any of your cases without my help?”
    She stood there, hands on her beautiful hips, waiting for his answer.
    â€œWell, have you?”
    â€œHave you ever butted out?” he asked.
    â€œCome on, James. I’ve brought you guys more cases than you’ve found on your own. And in this case, the Jason Londell murder, I’ve already helped you.”
    As he started to interrupt, she held up her hand.
    â€œAnd I’m not taking any part of your five-hundred-dollar retainer. I’m not asking for any of Ashley Amber’s first check. That’s the kind of partner I am.”
    Em didn’t need the money. I was convinced of that. Her father paid her very well, but the truth was, the three of us did work well together, and she usually came up with ideas we never would have considered. And, if she was going to participate, she wanted to be compensated.
    James looked at me, a dejected, hangdog look on his face. I shrugged my shoulders. If we had any chance of solving this case for Amber Ashley, Em would be a huge asset. James knew it, I knew it, and Em definitely knew it. She really did have a high opinion of herself.
    My girlfriend stood, picked up the wine glasses and empty beer bottles, and walked to the kitchen.
    â€œGuys, I suggest we call Amber right now. Tell her what we know. Make the pitch and get her reaction. Then Skip finds an after-hours number for this Scott Howell. If we wait until tomorrow morning to talk to the temp agency, our cameraman will be that much farther ahead of us.” Tossing the bottles into her recycle bin and placing the wine glasses in the porcelain sink, she turned to James.
    â€œJames, I think you should finish your research on Jason Londell’s wife, and we probably should run a background on our client. She was screwing her sister’s husband, so I’m guessing she’s got some kind of history.”
    James frowned. “And if we’re splitting this three ways, what are you going to be doing?”
    â€œBesides organizing this operation? I’m going to talk with Jason Londell’s good friend, Clint Anders. He hired Londell, they’ve known each other forever, and there’s probably a lot of light he could shed on the matter.”
    James shook his head in amazement.
    â€œYou think you’ve got this thing all under control, don’t you?”
    â€œJames,” she gave him her three-carat dazzling white-teeth smile, “I don’t
think
so. I know so. You know it too. These things have to be done. I’m just organizing them for you.”
    Nodding, he headed toward the door.
    â€œTwo thousand plus bucks for two weeks’ work. It’s a whole lot more than I make at my real job.”
    The door shut behind him, and as we stood there, Em grabbed my hand.
    â€œDid I get a little too full of myself?”
    â€œYou?”
    â€œCome on, I was trying to goad him a little. I shouldn’t have.”
    â€œThe day you two get along, I’m going to be very worried.”
    â€œI’m right, aren’t I? We’ve got to cover all bases.”
    â€œYou’re right.”
    â€œThen let’s find this Scott Howell. He placed the temp cameraman and that could be the key to this whole thing.”

CHAPTER TEN
    Ashley Amber said yes so fast, I wish we’d asked for more money. She asked when James and I could start, and I told her we were already on the clock. Another thousand down and everything was good to go.
    She asked for periodic updates and wanted to know if we were including a trip