buddy for forgetting the fishing trip they’d been planning for a month. Max was an even-tempered fellow, which was essential in his investigative line of work. Not quite as tall as Gio, but just as broad and of a stocky physique, the sandy-haired bachelor lived a few blocks away in a modest ranch house he owned.
Gio unlocked the door and the men walked inside the dark loft, greeted by the ecstatic sound of Pal barking and yelping. “Here, boy,” Gio pet the dog and gestured for Max to take a seat. “Can I get you a beer? I know I need an ice cold one.”
“Yeah, you also need a shower.” Max joked. “Give me whatever you got.”
Gio grabbed two bottles from the refrigerator and proceeded to tell Max the entire story. He started with the unexpected introduction of Sabrina into his life and concluded with their interview with Bert Shanty. By the time Gio finished, mentally exhausted from the task, Max looked appropriately stunned.
With his analytical labyrinth of a brain, Max had always known there was more to the fire than Gio chose to acknowledge, but out of respect for his friend, he had never let on. Even now, Max found himself hard-pressed not to blurt out, ‘Aha! I told you so!’ Instead, he gave Gio a supportive pat on the shoulder and breathed, “Wow. What else can I say, Gio? I want you to know that I’m in this investigation as much---or as little---as you want me to be.”
“I want you in.” Gio said simply.
“You got it. The first thing I want to do is run some research on Bert Shanty and Glen Cooper.”
“Why Bert Shanty? I told you that Sabrina and I are confident he’s completely innocent.”
“Listen, man, in this business, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Until a case is cracked wide open and solved, every party is of interest. Everyone is also a suspect. I’m not saying that I’m leaning towards old Shanty being responsible in any way. For one, there’s no motive. Besides, the story you conveyed was one of a man that has nothing to hide. Cooper is the one I really want to get a hold of. Do you think he still works for the fire department?”
“He’s gotta be in the sixty-something ballpark now, and he could be retired.”
“Yes, he could. And he could also have moved out of state. I’m going to run background checks on his employment history with the Mount Hollow Fire Department and see if there were any blemishes on his record. Any misbehavior or citation could be construed as suspicious. It might take me a while because I want to be thorough. Plus, I’m going on the road tomorrow for two weeks to spy on some married sleaze in Connecticut. His wife is convinced he has a mistress.”
“Max, you don’t have to explain to me. Take all the time you need. I know you’re good at what you do and your services are in demand.”
“Damn straight.” The sandy-haired man affirmed proudly.
“Your humbleness is admirable.” Gio said wryly.
Max chuckled. “Look, Gio, just lay low for the next couple of weeks until I get back. I could be back sooner or later depending on what I find on Husband-of-the-Year. For now, sounds like you have your hands full anyway with Miss Sabrina.” He smiled knowingly.
Gio evaded the implication, not willing to reveal any of the details of his relationship with the lovely Sabrina Montrouge. But the mention of her name sparked one bit of information he had left out. “Before I forget, Sabrina volunteered her sister Cara who’s apparently studying law.”
Max looked pensive. “Hmmm. OK, someone in the legal field can’t hurt. But it would have been more useful if she were already practicing law. Sounds like you’ve got a spunky gal on your radar screen.”
Gio grinned, “Max, dear friend, “spunky” doesn’t even begin to describe. She’s incredible.”
A few minutes later, their fishing
Gio unlocked the door and the men walked inside the dark loft, greeted by the ecstatic sound of Pal barking and yelping. “Here, boy,” Gio pet the dog and gestured for Max to take a seat. “Can I get you a beer? I know I need an ice cold one.”
“Yeah, you also need a shower.” Max joked. “Give me whatever you got.”
Gio grabbed two bottles from the refrigerator and proceeded to tell Max the entire story. He started with the unexpected introduction of Sabrina into his life and concluded with their interview with Bert Shanty. By the time Gio finished, mentally exhausted from the task, Max looked appropriately stunned.
With his analytical labyrinth of a brain, Max had always known there was more to the fire than Gio chose to acknowledge, but out of respect for his friend, he had never let on. Even now, Max found himself hard-pressed not to blurt out, ‘Aha! I told you so!’ Instead, he gave Gio a supportive pat on the shoulder and breathed, “Wow. What else can I say, Gio? I want you to know that I’m in this investigation as much---or as little---as you want me to be.”
“I want you in.” Gio said simply.
“You got it. The first thing I want to do is run some research on Bert Shanty and Glen Cooper.”
“Why Bert Shanty? I told you that Sabrina and I are confident he’s completely innocent.”
“Listen, man, in this business, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Until a case is cracked wide open and solved, every party is of interest. Everyone is also a suspect. I’m not saying that I’m leaning towards old Shanty being responsible in any way. For one, there’s no motive. Besides, the story you conveyed was one of a man that has nothing to hide. Cooper is the one I really want to get a hold of. Do you think he still works for the fire department?”
“He’s gotta be in the sixty-something ballpark now, and he could be retired.”
“Yes, he could. And he could also have moved out of state. I’m going to run background checks on his employment history with the Mount Hollow Fire Department and see if there were any blemishes on his record. Any misbehavior or citation could be construed as suspicious. It might take me a while because I want to be thorough. Plus, I’m going on the road tomorrow for two weeks to spy on some married sleaze in Connecticut. His wife is convinced he has a mistress.”
“Max, you don’t have to explain to me. Take all the time you need. I know you’re good at what you do and your services are in demand.”
“Damn straight.” The sandy-haired man affirmed proudly.
“Your humbleness is admirable.” Gio said wryly.
Max chuckled. “Look, Gio, just lay low for the next couple of weeks until I get back. I could be back sooner or later depending on what I find on Husband-of-the-Year. For now, sounds like you have your hands full anyway with Miss Sabrina.” He smiled knowingly.
Gio evaded the implication, not willing to reveal any of the details of his relationship with the lovely Sabrina Montrouge. But the mention of her name sparked one bit of information he had left out. “Before I forget, Sabrina volunteered her sister Cara who’s apparently studying law.”
Max looked pensive. “Hmmm. OK, someone in the legal field can’t hurt. But it would have been more useful if she were already practicing law. Sounds like you’ve got a spunky gal on your radar screen.”
Gio grinned, “Max, dear friend, “spunky” doesn’t even begin to describe. She’s incredible.”
A few minutes later, their fishing
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