Detective Mike

Chapter 9

Whew! That's a lot of cash for no results. May I see his notes?"

The doctor hands him the notes and Mike studies them. He gets a bad feeling as he reads them. "Have you considered the possibility that it might be your detective she's seeing?"

"The thought has occurred to me, yes. What can I do?"

Mike mulls it over. He hates taking on a fellow investigator. "Could I see the rest of the pictures?" The doctor hands them over and Mike studies them. "There is nothing incriminating in any of the evidence but it has a bad smell to it. Either the photographer is involved in the affair or he's milking you for money... or he could be very incompetent." Mike chews on his lip. "How did he impress you? Did he come across as a professional?"

The doctor hesitates and says, "Yes, professional, I saw his credentials but at times he seemed glib, like he wasn't telling me the whole story."

"Did you tell him you were not satisfied?"

"Yes, any number of times and he always assured me he would have better results in the near future. I have simply grown tired of his excuses."

"I see. Does he know you plan to seek help elsewhere?"

"No."

"I can't take the case on if you have someone else working on it. You will have to let him go and pay him off. I will have to see the final accounting with him before I could take it on. You understand why, I guess."

"Yes, I can understand. It would be like a patient seeing two doctors at the same time for the same ailment. Very complicated."

Mike studies the pictures, "What is your wife's name?"

"Uh... Valerie."

"Okay, well I will take your case on if you get rid of the other investigator. I won't even ask who he is since that would obligate me to take action if he has defrauded you. I haven't seen enough to ascertain that but I suspect it might be true. You understand, I don't want to get involved in a case against a fellow investigator unless I have to. No one wins and it uses up a lot of time."

"Yes, I understand. If I decide to go with you I'll contact you. I like your style, Mike. I like it a lot better than his."

"Your words are kind, sir. Do call me if you need my help, Harry." He stands and offers his hand. "It has been a pleasure meeting you."

They shake hands, "Mine as well, Mike. Thank you."

Mike takes his leave of the doctor and heads back down to his car. He mulls over in his mind what he has just seen. Stamped on the back of each picture was, 'Black Investigations, Inc." He knows 'ranty' Randy Black, has even worked with him in the past when he first came to Abbotsford. Randy used to work for the same security firm Mike did back then but Randy had earned his investigator's license and gone out on his own.

Randy had a bad habit of mixing his pleasures with his business. Mike had seen him in some tight scrapes in the past over fraternization with clients or client's associates. Mike doesn't have much to do with him. He pulls out of the lot deep in thought. He checks his watch and its three fifteen.

Driving out Marshal Road and swinging north on McMillan Road he watches for McKee Road and the sign for the golf course. Turning onto McKee he climbs the hills south of Ledgeview Golf Course and swings up McKinley Drive. On Lethbridge Drive he watches for the Montgomery home and comes to a stop across from it. He dials his cell phone.

"Mrs. Montgomery, Its Mike Claymore."

"Yes, I saw you pull up across the street, at least I am fairly sure it's you."

"Yes, that's me. May I come in?"

"Please do, I've been expecting you."

A matronly woman meets him at the door and they shake hands. She welcomes him on inside and asks if he will join her in tea. He smiles and says he would be delighted. She leads him out through a library to a patio and sends a maid for tea. "I wished to speak with you in strict privacy. My husband would think I am meddling and I am sure Tony would, too."

Mike nods for her to go on. "Tony is our son. He just got married a few weeks ago. Perhaps you saw it in the paper?"

Mike nods, "I think I did. His bride's name is Sheila?"

"Yes, they're in Hawaii but they will be back in a few days." The tea arrives and the maid pours flashing Mike a sultry smile in such a way that the lady of the house does not see it. Mike winks discretely at her. She leaves them and the lady goes on, "She's very good as a maid but we had to guard Tony from getting involved with her." She wags a finger at Mike with a grin. Mike chuckles and nods his head.

"I gather she's not the problem you want to hire me for?"

"No, but you're welcome to her, if you so desire. I imagine she's willing. She is most accommodating according to some of our guests. Disgusting, isn't it?"

"I always say live and let live, ma'am."

"Most wise, young man," she nods approvingly, "It's involving a business deal my son is becoming involved in that I'm seeking help, Mr. Claymore. I gather our words will go no farther?" She offers cream and sugar.

Mike fixes his tea and assures her, "I offer the utmost in discretion and everything you say to me is in strict confidence."

"Very good. You see our son has been associating with people in the movie industry. We have had movie and film producers visiting on the weekends for nearly a year now. Tony has always been frugal to a fault and he has amassed a fair amount of money, most of it from us and his other relatives. He has always had a passion for the film industry and even completed a few short films in college and since school. One of them did quite well so he has added to his inheritance." She looks around and spots the maid lurking by the library doors.

She lowers her voice, "That young lady had her eyes on his fortune, you can bet your boots. My husband thinks it's funny but I know he has eyes for her, as well. He can see no fault in her." She waves her hand to dismiss the thought.

"Where is your husband, ma'am?"

She waves her hand towards the nearby hill, "At the golf course."

"And does he have qualms about your son's possible investments?"

"He gives Tony his head. I think he hired the maid for him." She frowns. "He suggested she might help him with his films." She goes on by muttering, "I'm sure she relieved a lot of his tensions."

"Perhaps you could outline for me a bit more of what you fear?"

"Yes... well, it's not her. Tony is proposing to invest with a producer to form a production company. The thing is I don't know anything about this producer's track record. He says a lot and I'm sure he has impressed Tony... likely even his father. My husband was never a good judge of character. He was most fortunate my father had wealth and established him in the business."

"Could you refresh my memory of what business that is?"

"Why the clay mine, of course. Montgomery Pottery, you must know of that."

"Okay, I had thought that might be the case but it is better to check these things rather than assuming."

She looks thoughtful, "I suppose that's right. Most astute of you, sir."

"Ma'am, it was my understanding that your husband inherited only the mine and built up the pottery business since you inherited it. Am I wrong?"

"He was handed the clay and he made something out of it. Fred has done well, I suppose but he's no genius. My father was the geologist who had the foresight to stake out the claim. Fred would have stumbled over it to go golfing."

"So it is you that will be hiring me then, is it?"

"Yes, I want the background on this man. His name is Leonard Sadler. He and his wife, Lydia has been visiting us for quite some time. They live in North Vancouver. He says he was involved with another production company in California but it went broke. He blames his partner in that case 100%. He is currently directing a made for TV movie and his wife isn't working. She claims that she has directed more pictures in the recent past than he has so she is taking a sabbatical."

"Do you know what the current project is called?"

"He says it's 'Canso Crossing' by some New York author. It involves some early 1900's crossing of the Atlantic and societal interactions between a girl of high breeding and a third class passenger. He goes on and on about it."

Mike jots that down and asks, "Is your son planning on entering this agreement as soon as he gets home?"

"As far as I know it is still in the planning stage but Mr. Sadler is pressing him to make a decision. We... well, I keep trying to tell him there is no hurry. I have a feeling he will be champing on the bit to get on with it when he gets back."

"And precisely when is that?"

"They're scheduled to be back on March 15th, that's a week this Saturday. I haven't heard of any change to that."

"Okay, I presume my office manager, Trudy has discussed with you our rates. Is that correct?"

"Yes, and they are acceptable if you can deliver fast precise information."

"We do our best. I will endeavour to see you have a report before your son's return."

"That would be wonderful, Mr. Claymore."

"Please understand it will not be a polished complete report in that short a time but you will have concrete information to base your decisions on."

"And you won't say a word of this to my husband or my son."

"As you wish, ma'am."

She wrinkles her nose in a smile, "I will have the maid show you out." She signals with a raised hand and the maid comes to them. "Please show Mr. Claymore to the door, Ginny."

Mike stands and bows slightly to Mrs. Montgomery as he takes his leave. On the way through the library he says, "Is Ginny short for Virginia?"

"Would you like to see the tennis courts and the grounds, Mr...? Mr.?"

"Mike, Ginny. Mike will do."

"Mike... is that short for Michael?" She teases him with a brilliant smile.

"Tennis has never been my game. Do they have a hot tub?"

"Ohh, I bet you would be fun in a hot tub."

Mike chuckles, "I've a hunch you would be, too." She steps out the front door with him.

"Aren't you afraid she might summon you?"

She laughs, "She doesn't run things around here, Fred does and she hates it. Come," she beckons him and they go around the corner of the house. She backs him into an alcove and places her hand on his arm. "Are you really going to work for her?"

"I think so. Why?"

She crowds up close and lowers her voice, "I was wondering if you'll be back. I would like to see more of you."

Mike smiles down at her, "I might agree with that."

She pushes her teeth with her tongue and says, "You mean like this," she shrugs a shoulder and her top spreads open revealing the tops of magnificent mounds. "Or did you have more in mind?" Her hand sneaks behind her and he sees the bra go loose on the breasts as they pop out. Her other hand on his arm guides his fingers to explore as she stands up on tiptoes to kiss him. He caresses her breasts and circles one n****e with nimble fingers coming closer and closer to the areola. She breaks off the kiss to breath fast and whisper hoarsely, "Oh Mike, you surprise me." Her lips fasten on his again while her hands explore below his belt.

Mike realizes they are going to have s*x here and he looks around quickly. Underbrush and hedging comes up to the house ahead and dimly he can see the tennis court beyond the hedge. They are in an indentation in the wall of the house so they can't be seen from out front but they have no room to manoeuvre. He feels her set him free so he turns her to lean her against the house. He cups the cheeks of her ass and she raises one leg wrapping it around him as she reaches down to push aside her panties and guide him.

She throws back her head and shakes it as he enters her. "Oh Mike, you're awfully big! Oh my God, that feels good! f**k me hard, Mike! f**k me hard!"

She gets her wish and Mike paces himself so she has to cover her mouth with one hand as she goes over the edge. Her eyes are wild as she feels him still invading her with the same measured beat. Her eyes grow wide as he goes on and soon she experiences another o****m as he lifts her off the ground with an eruption. She clings to him and wheezes, "Oh Mike, you are good! You're the best! Fred and Tony could learn a lot from you!" She kisses him quickly and pushes him away. "I must get back inside. I never thought we would go that far. I'm so glad we did!"

Mike pulls out a handkerchief and offers it to her but she says, "You need it, you use it. I have to go."

Mike cleans himself up and closes his trousers. He picks up his briefcase and goes out to the car. As he's backing out he sees a curtain in the front window move and knows he's being watched. He muses, "I wonder if she considers that part payment?"

He takes his time driving home. When he pulls in the drive he checks his appearance and goes inside. Marlene isn't home but Shelly says she's coming. She's down town shopping with a neighbour. Shelly has supper started by peeling vegetables and making a salad. Mike praises her efforts and asks where Rick and Jan are.

"Rick isn't home yet and Jan is doing homework. Mom has Emma with her."

"Okay, I'm gonna grab a quick shower and do some paperwork. Are you okay on your own here?"

"Yep, don't worry Daddy, I can handle it."

Mike drops his briefcase by the basement stairs and rushes upstairs. He takes a quick shower and is back down in his office when Marlene comes in. He calls Trudy and gives her the day's happenings, leaving out the maid, of course. Marlene comes down while he's still talking to her and waits for him to finish. She stands behind him and rubs his shoulders.