fact, she was relieved, except for one thing. “You won’t take Zeke on as a client?”
“No. From all accounts, he turned you down then you convinced him to let you work for him under duress. I want no part of that.”
“Would you reconsider if he called you?”
“Maybe,” Steve said, and his voice softened. “Look, you’re throwing away your career by playing detective. You’re an excellent communications specialist. I don’t get this—”
“It’s okay. I don’t expect you to understand.”
“You’ve put me in an awkward spot. So, what is your plan now? Did you research Cabrera’s competitor?”
“Not yet, but I’ll stay at Zeke’s estate for a few days. The cops might want to talk to me. I told them I was the reason we were on the hotel property—”
“You’re staying at his home? Is that wise?”
Dena laughed. “I’m his girlfriend, remember?”
She heard Steve pull in a long breath and waited.
“Will he have to post bail?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Dena said. She hadn’t thought about that. “You know what, I don’t think so, but I’m going to the police station now. I’ll notify his lawyer.” She swallowed hard. She wouldn’t tell Steve her car had been shot at.
“Yes, good idea on the lawyer,” Steve said. “I’d do that right away if I were you.”
“They’ve got nothing on Zeke,” Dena said. “They’ll look over his phone transactions. Probably tell him not to leave town because they might have more questions. The local cop was strong-arming him, just being a jerk.”
Steve let out a frustrated sigh and she imagined him smoothing his hair. He always did that when she annoyed him. Like somehow she’d made his hair stand on end, and she probably had, but still.
“Look, I was angry before. I’m sorry…you sure you want to be fired?”
“Absolutely,” Dena said. “I’ve already told the cops that I’m a student taking courses in private investigation and I intend to open my own business. It’s the truth, Steve. It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time, just here sooner than anticipated.”
“You’ll have some vacation pay. That should help for a while,” he said, his voice quiet.
“Thanks.”
“You were right about Wendy, she has talent,” Steve said, his voice cheerier. “I’m glad you put in the time to train her. She was way over-qualified for that receptionist position. She handled BJ well on Friday afternoon. But, listen, if you ever change your mind—”
“No, I won’t,” Dena said, and knew she spoke the truth. This was where she was meant to be, it was what she had to do. “Thanks, Steve. I’m sure this is the right decision all around. If my involvement is mentioned in the papers, your agency will be off the hook—”
“Sorry that I lost my temper—”
“No problem.”
“Take care, Dena.”
“Thanks.” Dena clicked off. Then she dialed Zeke’s lawyer and got a message machine. She left her cell phone number and a brief message, told him where Zeke was and why.
Almost out of the parking lot, Dena swung the car into another vacant spot, cursed the missing Bluetooth, and hit auto dial.
“Mom, how are you? You sound happy.”
“I am,” her mother said, and gave a short laugh. “A lady…a neighbor…popped in for coffee. How are you?”
Dena shook her head. That was a surprise. “Good. Um…I’m fine. This is just a quick call.” It was time to come clean. “I’m in the Palm Springs area, for an appointment with a new client. I’ll be home in a few days.”
“You’re in the desert?”
Dena heard the slight rise in her mother’s voice and winced. She’d known what the reaction would be but couldn’t handle any more evasions, plus she might be here for a while. She steeled herself. “Yes.”
“Your Aunt Ruth is coming to stay for a week,” her mother said in a rush of words. “She arrives tonight.”
That was interesting. Dena wondered when that had been arranged. What a piece of luck, although she knew that luck often came with problems. “I don’t want you to drive to the airport.”
“She booked a rental car.”
Fabulous! That would have been the last thing Dena would want, her mother doped up on medication driving to LAX. “That’s good. You’re happy about this? Last time you two argued and—”
“We made up. You know how sisters are.” Her mother’s voice went soft. “I fired the helper.”
“What? Why’d you do that?”
“I told you I don’t like her. Anyway, now I’ll have Ruthie.”
Dena checked her temper. “So how much do I need to pay the woman? Is there severance pay?”
“No. I gave her an extra hundred.