was a wealth of information.
'Who else does he hang out with?'
'Besides me,' Vince thought again. 'there's Benny. He and Ren are pretty tight.'
'What's Benny's story?'
'He's alright. Married. Stack of kids.'
'How did he meet Ren?'
'College, I think. They both did hospitality management or something like that.'
'Anyone else?'
'He's got a few buddies he plays soccer with. There's a different girlfriend every week. He's like a magnet.'
'I'm sure.'
'You know, you look a bit like my girlfriend, uh, ex - same sort of hair.'
'Yeah?' I tried to sound pleased.
'Yeah. She's a looker.'
'Well, thanks. Uh, what's your girlfriend's name and number?'
Vince looked at me with surprise written all over his face.
'Why? Do you think she's involved? How could she be involved?' he smirked.
'I'm not saying she blew up the car, but stranger things have happened,' I said. I meant to think it to myself. 'I wouldn't mind speaking with her because she's probably observed Ren around you and may have a different perspective.'
He shrugged.
'I guess.' He rattled off her name and number.
'You can tell her that I'm doing just fine and not even thinking about her,' Vince added.
'I'll be sure to,' I assured him.
My phone rang. Bless you, Ed.
'Listen, I've got to take this. Thanks for your time, I really appreciate it. I'll see myself out.' I was at the door before I had finished the sentence. I would have been in the car if I could move quicker in heels.
'No problem. May see you again, hey?' He said at the door. 'Ren got your number, in case I think of anything?'
'He sure has,' I smiled, hoping he'd forget about me. I reached the elevator and answered the phone.
On the way down, I reviewed what I got from Vince: nothing!
CHAPTER FOUR
'I can't talk until I have a drink in front of me!'
My best friend, Melanie Davies, sat back and folded her arms. Her blonde hair was tied back and her red linen suit was crushed from wading over client's financial statements all day. Melanie always had a touch of the theatrics about her.
'What, not a word?' I teased.
'Okay, I guess I can fill you in on my love life until the vodka arrives: it's non-existent. Yessss!' She barely waited for the waiter to place her drink on the table before raising the glass and taking a sip. She sat back.
'That's better. You're looking good,' she noticed I was there.
'I darkened my hair.'
'It makes your eyes look bluer. Does Dom like it?'
'Don't be silly, he hasn't even noticed.'
'Men. Speaking of which, why are we here?' Melanie glanced around. 'Not that I'm complaining, I like Italian food.'
'Research,' I told her.
'Italian cooking or Italian men?'
'Good grief! Do you think of anything else besides eating and men?'
'Of course. There's shopping.'
'Work research,' I steered her back on track. 'The owner is a new client.'
'Really? This joint's been here for ages. Why have they decided to do some marketing now?'
'No, he's hired a private investigator!'
'Who?'
'Me! Mel, get with the program. He's hired me to investigate for him.'
'Oh!' Her eyes widened. 'Sorry, I'm scatty this evening. Let's start again. So what's he got you investigating, is he good looking and does Dom know?'
'His car blew up, yes and yes.'
She nodded. I could see her thinking through the questions.
'What sort of car?'
'Mercedes.' I couldn't remember the model and didn't think Melanie would care anyway.
'Nice. What model?' she asked.
I frowned at her.
'I don't know … some sort of convertible. It was black.'
'Mm, I like silver better for a convertible. How did he find you?'
'We were there when it blew up. Dom gave him my card.'
'Ah, so Dom's seen him. Well, best you introduce me. I can be like an insider.'
'If you get inside,' I said.
She smiled.
'Is that a challenge?'
****
I arrived home to find Dominic asleep on the couch with Atlas next to him. The TV was on and neither of them heard me enter. Good to know they were both alert to intruders. I made a mental note to increase my contents insurance. Dom didn't sleep over on a Tuesday night because of classes at 6 am the next morning. I wondered if he was a little insecure or checking up that I didn't bring the stallion home with me. I watched him for a few minutes. He was too big for the couch and had his feet extended over the armrest. Atlas - who wasn't allowed on the couch - had managed to worm his way in and find a comfortable spot behind Dom. The football was on and the remote was still in his hands. Atlas looked up, and, in a wild show of affection he wagged his tail, yawned and went back to sleep. I decided to let Dom snooze until after I had showered and washed my make-up off.
I stood under the hot water thinking about my case. I loved saying that. I checked off the facts that I knew: Ren had no enemies that he knew of; the family business was secure; he wasn't seeing anyone's wife and he was an avid collector. I still had to explore that. He was a wealthy mummy's boy and had several best mates including Vince and Benny. He played soccer. I was yet to investigate that one, too. He received a call just before the car exploded and claimed that it saved his life, but his life may have never been in danger.
I closed my eyes and rinsed the conditioner from my hair. I had to talk to the police; I needed to know where the bomb had been planted and how it was triggered. The thought made me shiver. Much scarier than publicity!
Something touched me and I jumped. It was Dom and he was naked. He got into the
