“Wow. Well, Georgie and I retired from the police department at the same time. We each had twenty-five years in, retired as lieutenants and went together to an existing PI firm. We had worked together as detectives for ten years, so moving to the same PI firm as a team worked for us. What’s your first step? Look for space?”
“I suppose,” she said. “I’m also looking at existing practices, just to get a feel for things. Small legal practices. Most that I’ve seen so far specialize in either personal injury or divorce or medical malpractice.” She took another sip. “I’d like an office in an old building that maybe was built out of a restored office or house. There should be a kitchen. Best case scenario there would be a fireplace. That would add comfort on those cold, foggy days from November to April. I like old houses and buildings but then, why wouldn’t I—I grew up in Half Moon Bay, one of the oldest towns on the coast.”
“So, you’ve come to terms with your marriage being over?” he asked.
“I’m not done grieving, but I don’t want that marriage anymore. The more I think about the last ten years, the more I suspect this woman is merely the most recent affair. Scott had a lot of time on his hands. He could afford to be bored and restless.”
“If Scott has to go to work, it could be the best thing that ever happened to him,” Logan said.
“You’re right. He’s only fifty-two, and what he’ll get in a settlement and alimony won’t keep him through old age. Maybe he thinks his new woman will support him.”
“Not if the woman owns the kayak shack,” Logan said. “Does any part of your fantasy involve things other than work? Your kids will be in college before you know it. What will you do for fun?”
“Funny you should ask. I’ve been thinking a lot about that because for the last twenty years I’ve been working too hard. I was well compensated. I have no regrets. But I wouldn’t mind a little leisure time and entertainment. I rarely saw a movie because the only things Scott wanted to see either had a gun or a ball in it. The girls and I went to a few chick flicks, but it was rare. I love movies. There just never seemed to be any time. I spent weekends catching up on chores and work from the office.”
“Building a law practice is not going to be a vacation, but if you want to succeed, you have to find time to do the things you like. What do you like?”
“I like to spend an entire afternoon on the couch or the chaise outside, reading. I like to garden. That takes commitment, but I’ve done it before. Long ago, sure. I like concerts...”
“There’s live music in the parks everywhere,” he said. “San Francisco has some great outdoor music all over the place.”
“You do that?” she asked.
“I’ve been known to. In fact, I’m looking at a place in Carmel. Small, grossly expensive, old, close to the water. The only downside is tourists. Billions of them.”
“Why Carmel?”
“Georgie is in Santa Rosa, north of the city, so I’m determined to find something south. I’ve looked all over the towns below San Francisco. When we get a case, I’ll work mostly in the south and she’ll do fieldwork north of the city. We see each other in the office or work together a couple of days a week. Otherwise we’re in touch via phone or computer. And I like Carmel. Except, you know, all the tourists... What about you?”
“I’ll stay where I am until I figure out where I’m going to work. And I’m not going to figure that out until the divorce is final. Scott and I might take turns staying with the girls. I mean, we might each get something small and efficient, then take turns in the big house with the kids. That could work, couldn’t it?”
“Depends on what kind of closure you need.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she said. “Closure. That’s kind of hard if you have to keep seeing each other, sharing space even if you’re not