and gave himself away, very loudly, when the homeowner turned on the heat. Then there was a bank robbery where the thief made a wrong turn, right into the safe.
“But really my favorite of all time was the thief who led us on a chase and didn’t get very far because he took a turn too tight, drove through a neighborhood backyard wall and landed, car and all, in the homeowner’s swimming pool. I think I have a picture if you want to see.”
They wanted to see and he got out his phone, scrolling through the pictures.
Justine was just about to give up on Addie when she walked in. Introductions were made, and they all sat down so dinner could be served.
Justine didn’t exactly find Addie’s regard for Logan to be cool, but it took ten or fifteen minutes for her to warm up while Justine served dinner. Once everyone was eating, Addie became fully engaged in the conversation.
“When did you two first meet?” Addie asked.
“Hmm,” he said, pausing before answering. “I was doing some work for Justine’s company last winter. I think it was a workman’s comp claim or something like that. Then I was recommended to her for one of her own cases.”
“You worked together?” Addie asked.
“I’m a detective for hire. I investigate everything under the sun, including corporate background checks, bankruptcies, potential hires, anything and everything. So, I met her, found out she was divorced, asked her to meet me for a drink.” He shrugged. “That has to be six months ago or so.”
“Almost five,” Justine said. “We met for coffee, had a few phone chats, went to Carmel for a town art fair... Eventually we had dinner.”
“I have good references,” he said.
“And there were coincidences. He was moving to Carmel, I was leaving the company and taking a job here.”
“My office is in San Francisco, but I usually work in the field. I’m only in my office a couple of days a week...”
“In the field?” Addie asked.
“Research, interviews, surveillance, whatever case I’m working on.”
“Is it like top secret stuff?” Amber asked.
“Nah. Most of the information is easy to find in public records. But public records or not, it’s always privileged. I can’t tell any details. You know,” he said, giving Addie a nod.
Maybe that was the point on which they bonded—Addie also collected personal stories she couldn’t share.
After dinner, Logan helped clear the table, clean up the kitchen and had a cup of coffee. The girls wandered off, Addie chatted with them for a while then went to her room, kind of obviously leaving them alone. It was ten when Logan left. Justine walked him to his car.
“That couldn’t have gone better if I’d scripted it,” she said to him.
“This isn’t my first rodeo,” he said. “By the time you’re my age, the women I date have kids. Usually teens. I hate to sound arrogant, but I think I do all right with teens.”
“You do all right,” she said with a laugh. “That was a very good intro.”
“Some advice?” he said. Without waiting for an answer he continued. “Reassure them that I won’t be sleeping over now. Tell them your holiday gatherings still belong to you. Tell them I have a family, too, even though I don’t have kids. A good first meeting doesn’t commit them. Believe me, they’ll be glad to hear it.”
“But I think they liked you,” she said.
“I appreciate that. They need time even if they like me. And so do you.”
“I do,” she admitted. “But I’ve been honest, Logan. I like you. I love spending time with you. And I’m committed to only one man—I’m the ridiculously faithful type. But I don’t see another marriage in my crystal ball. Nor anything close to marriage.”
He grinned at her. “You’ve been very clear. And I don’t blame you.”
“Still, that was so much easier than I expected.”
He gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Go in now, get the debrief. I’m sure they have opinions and questions.”