Jamie Quinn Cozy Mysteries Collection

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

It felt strange to be back in my office after taking so much time off. When I was on hiatus, I was never sure what day it was, but it didn't matter anyway since I had nowhere to be. The truth is I hardly left my house--the house my mom passed on to me--unless I had to, but now it felt good to have a reason to get up every morning and people who needed me--although I missed having a wide open calendar. There was so much possibility in those white spaces. Not that I ever took advantage of it.

Don't get me wrong, I was pretty stressed when I was dealing with my mom's death, but it was a different kind of stress. Back then, I was completely self-absorbed in my grief; now, I was stressed because everyone wanted a piece of me. Speaking of stress, allow me to introduce you to Lisa. She's the receptionist for our shared office space and a new addition, hired while I was away. She's also a hot mess. Lisa's very sweet, but not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. That doesn't bother me as much as her tendency to cry the minute anything goes wrong. She also cries if she thinks something might go wrong. And sometimes she cries when she talks to her fiancé on the phone. I only have so much patience, which I need to reserve for my clients. There isn't enough to cover Lisa, too.

You'd think my contact with her would be limited, since all she does for me is take phone messages and hand me my mail--she doesn't even have to open it. Somehow though, I am still subjected to her tears at least once a day. Before you conclude that the poor girl must be depressed, I'll tell you that I've considered that, but she doesn't act depressed; she seems fine. I was baffled by Lisa until I read an article about adults who continue using childhood defense mechanisms to deal with their problems. Ah, that explains it! Now, if I could only find an article on how to make her stop crying.

I was back at my desk after my tough morning with Becca. I hated losing in court, every lawyer does, but I take it to heart. You could say I obsess about it, which doesn't help my chronic insomnia one bit. I suppose I need something to think about when I'm up at three in the morning, but those sure aren't billable hours.

There was a knock at my office door followed by a giggle.

"Come in."

"There's someone here to see you, Jamie."

Lisa looked happier than I'd ever seen her, eyes bright, a blush highlighting her round cheeks. Even her hair looked perkier. She glanced over her shoulder and giggled again.

"He said his name is Marmaduke!"

"That's right, Sugar, Marmaduke Broussard, the Third, at your service." Duke flashed a smile at Lisa, then walked right in and sat down.

"Jamie, why didn't you tell me you had such a hot receptionist? I would've been here sooner," Duke said.

Lisa was overcome by a fit of giggles and blushes.

I laughed. "No hitting on the staff, Duke. Besides, Lisa's taken, she's about to get married."

"Excellent!" Duke said. "But if you change your mind, Darlin', you let me know." He winked at her salaciously.

I waved her away and Lisa reluctantly closed the door.

"I'm amazed that you don't get beat up by jealous boyfriends on a daily basis," I said, grinning at my former client, now friend. I'd rescued Duke from his angry ex-wife and he'd helped me big-time when my cousin Adam was in trouble.

"As long as I can run faster than them, I'll be alright," he joked.

Duke had a way with the ladies, which is how he'd been married three times. He looked pretty good for a guy who spent all his spare time drinking at a bar called 'The Big Easy.' Picture a pirate-type, around thirty-five, shoulder length brown hair, perfect teeth, and laughing green eyes. He always wore a shark-tooth necklace and his favorite alligator boots. You've probably seen him. As a private investigator, he gets around.

I pushed aside the stack of files on my desk so we could see each other. Also, with the files out of sight, I didn't have to feel guilty about the work I wasn't doing.

"Do you have any news for me, Duke? Or did you just come by to flirt with our receptionist?" I teased.

"Ouch, Jamie! You know I come here to see you. Actually, I was hoping you'd buy me lunch, I'm starving."

"Sure, I'd love to get out of here. You like Thai? There's a new place a few blocks away." I grabbed my purse.

Sounds great," he said, pushing his chair back to stand up. "And while we're there, I can tell you about my brilliant detective work."

"Don’t tell me you know where my father is!" I couldn't keep the excitement out of my voice.

"Buy me lunch and you'll find out."