The door opened and Hector came through.
“It’s time, mamita,” he announced.
See what I mean?
“Tomorrow, noon,” Daisy’s voice reminded me.
“All right,” I responded, making my slow way toward Hector who was waiting for me, holding open the door.
“Noon,” Shirleen repeated to my back.
That back went straight, my head whipped around and, for the sake of my pride, I snapped, “All right!”
This, for some bizarre reason, made Shirleen grin.
“Well, all right,” she muttered through her grin.
Blooming heck!
Why was my life so difficult?
Chapter Sixteen
Uglier and Uglier
Sadie
“Have a seat, Sadie,” Tom said on a welcoming smile when I entered Lee Nightingale’s office for the second time in my life.
They were all there, Tom, Eddie, Lee, Hank and Vance. They were all standing and they were all looking at me with carefully closed faces.
Oh boy.
Time for Pretend Sadie.
I stopped by one of the chairs in front of Lee’s desk and I felt Hector close behind me. I took a deep breath, did a group scan, playing it safe, beginning the game and allowing myself a small, friendly smile.
Then I looked at Lee and announced, “I’ve changed my mind.”
Lee’s brows went up.
I continued, “See, I figure you won’t let me pay you and that isn’t fair. You and Hector and everyone are doing so much for me, I can’t ask you to do more.”
Lee smiled and I found myself momentarily taken out of my role and staring (he really had a nice smile).
Then he started talking. “Sadie, the Rock Chicks are a permanent red line item on my budget. They have been for months. We’re used to takin’ this kind of hit.”
I had to admit, I hadn’t prepared for that either, especially his assumption that I was a Rock Chick.
His assumption gave me one of those weird, happy glows, the kind I couldn’t allow myself to feel or all would be lost.
Oh well, I had to power through.
“Even so, I think I’d prefer to hire someone else. This is making me uncomfortable,” I replied what I thought was nicely but firmly. “So, if you have a recommendation for another PI, I’ll give them a call.”
Immediately I saw that my nice but firm didn’t work.
Instead, Lee shook his head (still smiling) and Hector’s hands came to my shoulders.