They walked out the front door, a blast ofhot air taking her breath away as they stepped outside. When had itgotten so hot out? She’d wheeled and dealed enough with Andrea whenshe’d first started to get pants and shoes that breathed betterthan the old starch and leather, but the dang uniform was stillthicker than she’d like, especially on hot days like today. Slidingher shades on, she scanned the streets. “Peaceful, but notquiet.”
Pulling his shiny aviators on, Ian nodded inagreement. “Let’s stroll by Flotsam on the way by, shall we?” Hegrinned at his partner.
“Nice try, Romeo,” knowing Ian had a thingfor Payson, but more for fun than anything. Ian was a few yearsyounger and more than a few years less mature. “I already saw herthis morning. I brought her a muffin before bringing you yourbagel.” She took off heading north.
“Such a spoil sport. Someday she’ll comearound and realize we’re meant to be,” he dramatically gripped hishand over his heart. Unconvincingly. “North, huh? Headed somewherespecific?”
“No, just wandering.”
“Not hoping we can check in on McAllisterFisheries and your new boyfriend?” He waggled his eyebrows ather.
“After the break-in, it would be wise tocheck on McAllister Fisheries and ensure they had a safe weekend.And what gossip mill have you been tapping into?” News couldn’thave traveled that fast, could it? Too damn small of a town to keepanything quiet for long.
“I happened to be driving by on my patrolwhen you got in from the beach party. With a Mr. Chase Anderson.Looking awfully cozy.”
Maddy blushed. Dammit. At least it wasn’t viagrapevine. “Ok. It’s not a secret or anything, I just hate beingthe object of gossip. Why do you think I ran away for so long?”
With a sympathetic punch to the shoulder, Ianwas at least remorseful for the tease, “Sorry Maddy. We do have ahell of a gossip mill around here. I have not spread any gossip,just sharing a first-hand report to a first-person party.”
Rolling her eyes at him, she kept strolling.When they finally got to McAllister Fisheries, and they saw Dylanand his goons coming out of the office, looking awfully pleasedwith themselves.
Shit. She quickly ducked back behind a nearbyparked SUV. Hopefully, they were far enough away that they weren’tspotted. As much as she wanted this over, she wasn’t feeling ittoday. Talking to Dylan when she was too angry and ready to tearhim apart… it wouldn’t be very professional.
Ian read her signal immediately. He stayedclose but kept the trio in his sights. And was pleasantly ignoredas they hopped into a generic black sedan and cautiously pulled outonto the road, driving the opposite direction. Maddy let go of thebreath she’d held in. “It’s ok Maddy, he’s gone.”
“Thanks.” She nodded in appreciation andcontinued on the prior trajectory. They strolled past McAllister’sand veered east. About two blocks up, they stopped abruptly as theyheard raised voices coming from the alley.
Not a dark, scary alley or anything, thosedidn’t exist in Seaview. Not many alleys in general. Just a spacebetween the old, unoccupied candy shop and a tall vacationhouse.
The pair silently crept closer, staying outof sight. “Don’t you fucking tell me what’s my business and whatisn’t. I saw you behind the restaurant with that local fuck. You’remine for the week. No play for anyone else.”
Smack. Whoever was talking must have struckthe other person. A woman’s voice, with a thick midwest accentgrowled back at him, “Then you’d better pay me better. I promisedyou one week. That’s it. One week. I never promised you monogamy orsome shit like that.”
Okay. Not a normal Seaview domestic dispute,that was for sure. Maddy and Ian eyed each other, waiting for theconversation to progress.
The gruff male voice started back in, “Bitch,I’m paying you a thousand dollars. A thousand fucking dollars foryour company for a week. Don’t you go blowing any other assholesjust ‘cause you get restless. I’m stuck in this tiny-ass town untilthis job’s over. I’ve hired you to entertain me for the week, thatmeans what I say, when I say, and who I say. If you want your cashand your ticket back home, you’d better behave yourself.”
The voice paused. Maddy knew this wasn’theading anywhere good but went with her instincts and waited; itwasn’t time to pounce yet. They needed more to go on.
Patience paid off. Fantastic. Sick bastardjust couldn’t stop. “Baby, you make up for it and give me thegoods. Now.”
“Fine. Just, fine. Behind the dumpster orsomeone will see.”
Ears perked, Maddy waited until just theright moment. She inched closer, straining to hear. Yep, disgustinggroans and… eww, sucking. “Yeah, baby, that’s it. Suck it.”Gross.
Maddy signaled to Ian that she was making hermove. They confirmed the area was secure and moved in together. Asexpected, a bit of prostitution was going on right around thecorner. The woman was on her knees delivering a nice early morningblow job for Mr. “In town on a job.”
Maddy was eager to find out what that jobmight be, as she suspected a quick blow wasn’t what he was in townfor. “Good morning sir. I see you’ve found a lovely little spot toengage in a little business. However, you are, if you hadn’tnoticed, right out in public. If you both will just come with us,we’ll get this little matter sorted out at the station.”
Expletives flew out of the man’s mouth,faster than the scantily clad woman spit out his dick. Withoutacknowledging his rapidly softening dick that was now floppingaround, he paced back and forth before giving up for arrest.
Ian interjected, “Hey, pal. You’re alreadylooking at a number of charges here. Try putting your little friendaway before you rack up any other charges.” Like Maddy, Ian wincedas he was subjected to the show.
Reading the pair their rights, Ian cuffedthem while Maddy called for back up to drive the less-than classyfolks back to the station for processing. “And you thought this wasgoing to be a boring day,” Maddy teased Ian.
He chuckled. “And I was hesitant about havinga partner. I’m so glad I didn’t have to witness that alone. Now,whenever you piss me off, I get to bring this special moment up andlet your poor brain remember that… vivid image.”
Rolling her eyes, she directed the perps tothe main road as help arrived in the form of two SUVs fortransportation. Back at the station, the perps were processed, andthe mountain of paperwork completed. Andrea called Maddy and Ianback to her office. “Nicely done. I’m looking forward to readingyour report.”
