The City PI and the Country Cop by xxxxxxxxxxxx Read Free Book Online Page A

smirked. “Try me.”
    “What experience do you have?”
    “I’ve been there, done that. Want to see my
resume?”
    “Keir,” Teague cautioned.
    Hoyt shot Teague an irate glance. “You didn’t
tell me he was a smartass.”
    Keir replied before Teague could, “I’m not,
actually. I meant it when I said I know what it takes when it comes
to being on the street. I spent a year living hand-to-mouth before
I realized that wasn’t getting me anywhere. So I got it together
and reformed. I have a Certificate in Private Investigation from
Cal State, Fullerton, as well as an associate degree in acting.
Don’t laugh. It comes in handy.”
    “Wasn’t planning on laughing,” Hoyt said
seriously. “That’s quite a mix there. And you’re what? Maybe twenty
and that’s pushing it.”
    Teague chuckled. “Told you he looked younger
than he is. He’s twenty-four.”
    “It’s my damned boyish good looks that fool
people,” Keir grumbled. “Emphasis on ‘boy’.” Then he grinned. “But
it’ll work in this case, if I get lucky and the SOB comes after
me.”
    “That is what we’re hoping will happen,” Hoyt
replied. “Where we set it up will make all the difference.”
    “What are the options?” Keir asked, all
business now.
    “There’s a bar called The Red Calf. Lee
Grimes was seen outside there, or I should say possibly seen. If it
was him, the inference is he was hustling. Then there’s Smith Park.
Grimes body was found at the outskirts.”
    Keir nodded. “Is the park used as a cruising
site?”
    “Parts of it are.”
    “Detective,” Keir said pointedly, “there’s
not such thing as parts of. If guys are there looking for fast sex,
or to hook up and go home with someone, they use the whole area.
Take it from one who knows.”
    Hoyt put up his hands in acceptance. “I stand
corrected and you’re right. After midnight it’s primarily men
cruising. Not that it happens a lot since this is a small city, but
when it does, it’s there, not in town. Not even by The Red Calf.”
Hoyt chuckled mirthlessly. “Inside is a different story of
course.”
    “Is the park patrolled?”
    “A deputy will do a drive-by on his rounds,
but unless he sees something that catches his attention, that’s it.
When Teague takes you to look at it you’ll see why.”
    Teague started to say “Me?” Then he got it.
And that brought up a point that unfortunately neither he nor Hoyt
had thought of until now. “I’ve undoubtedly been seen with you,
Hoyt. That could make it difficult for me to be Keir’s backup.”
    Hoyt lifted an eyebrow. “You’ve never gone
undercover?”
    Momentarily flustered by the question,
because he knew his comment had made him look somewhat
unprofessional, Teague took a drink of his coffee then replied that
he had.
    “He’s damned good at it, too,” Keir added.
“Almost as good as me.”
    “Where are you staying, Keir?” Hoyt asked,
returning his attention to the young man.
    “With Teague. I’ll catch a couple hours of
sleep there mid-day and spend the rest of my time out and about.
Mostly at the park I think. I’ll find a spot there where I can bed
down at night.”
    “Sleeping rough?” Hoyt asked in surprise.
    “I have to look like a homeless teen out for
the main chance, so yeah, I will be,” Keir replied. “It’s for
damned sure the guy we’re after will make certain I’m the real
thing before he decides to grab me.”
    “Okay,” Teague said after a moment’s thought.
“If we’re going to make this work I should dump the motel room I’m
using, leave town and then return as a new—” he made finger quotes,
“—man. I’ll find a different motel and let you know where,
Keir.”
    Keir nodded. “Pick one I can get into
unobserved.”
    “Try the Cut-Rate Inn. It’s got exterior
entrances to the rooms, front and back,” Hoyt suggested. “Get a
room in the rear and Keir should be able to get in and out with no
one seeing him if he’s careful.”
    Keir smirked.