Page 52 of Dirty Deeds

She pulls the car up to the curb in front of my house and throws it in park. Turning to me, she gives me a wink. “I’ll still be here at five thirty to pick you up. Carrie is meeting me at the bar for wings, sangria, and gossip.”

That makes me smile.

“You two really hit it off.”

“Yeah, I’m working my way into the Scotto family that way you won’t have to split the holidays when you two get married and have a bunch of babies. At the rate I’m going I might even get an invitation to Thanksgiving before you do.”

* * *

Some women prepfor a night with their man by slathering shaving cream all over themselves and running a razor over every inch of their body. Me, I take an Epsom salt bath and pray my muscles survive.

Pulling the water plug, I drain the tub and step out, grabbing my robe from the hook on the wall. I push my arms through the sleeves and wrap the terrycloth around my body, tying a knot at the waist.

Having just washed my hair last night, I pinned it up so it wouldn’t get wet. All I have to do is put my makeup on and get dressed but Ro won’t be here for another two hours, so I decide to relax on the couch with my laptop. A couple of new listings came in and I’ve been slacking on my clients the last few days.

I’m just about to log on when my doorbell sounds. I place my laptop on the coffee table and tighten the knot on my robe as I make my way toward the door. Peering into the peephole, I spot an older gentleman I’ve never seen before. He combs his fingers through his thick gray hair and jams his finger against the doorbell again.

Stepping away from the door, I glance down at my robe. “Uh…just a minute.”

I run to my room, pull on a pair of leggings and the first t-shirt I can find, then head back to the door. With Ro’s voice ringing in my ears, I tamp down the paranoia and open the door a crack, eyeing the man curiously. For all I know he can be a reporter or another one of Brent’s goons.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

Wearing a pair of jeans and a plaid button-down shirt, he’s dressed too casually to be anyone from Brent’s team. My gaze darts over his shoulder, landing on the Dodge Challenger parked behind mine, it’s the kind you see at one of those car shows. Pristine and a classic. Not something a sleazy reporter drives to get the next big story.

“Danica Matthews, right?”

I bring my attention back to him. “Who’s asking?” I caution.

He lifts his hand, removing the pair of sunglasses that hang out of the breast pocket of his shirt. Moving the glasses to his other hand, he reaches back to the pocket, and this time he pulls out a business card.

“I’m a private investigator for the law firm Schwartz & Associates. Finley Banks hired me on behalf of Enzo Scotto.”

He offers me the card and I take it. Giving it a quick glance, I lift my chin and open the door wider.

“How can I help you?”

“I was hoping I could have a moment of your time.” Swiping the back of his hand over his brow, he tips his chin. “Preferably not out here in the heat.”

“Of course,” I say, stepping aside to allow room for him to enter. “Come in...” My voice trails and I look down at the card. “Rick.” My eyes lift to his. “It’s okay I call you by your first name, yes?”

The corners of his mouth twitch as he enters my house. “I prefer it.”

I close the door and lead him into my kitchen, motioning for him to take a seat at the table. I offer him something to drink, but he politely declines and cuts right to the chase.

“Can you walk me through what happened the night Mr. Scotto and your ex-husband got into the altercation in question?”

I take a seat across from him and fold my hands on top of the table. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but I went to the police and gave a statement.”

“That won’t hit our case file until all the discovery comes back. If you could tell me exactly what you told the cops, that would be helpful.”

Obviously I’m going to do everything I can to help Enzo, even if that means reciting the same story over and over. So that’s exactly what I do. He asks me a couple more questions, then when he appears satisfied with the information I’ve given him, he stands and tucks his chair under the table, informing me someone from his office will be in touch with me.

* * *

I decidedto wear a pair of denim shorts that frayed at the hem and paired them with a simple white peasant top with lace trim. Accessories make an outfit, so I went hard on the gold bangles, added a long rope chain necklace that fell perfectly between my breasts, and completed the look with a pair of gold and tan wedge sandals. The look screamed sexy and casual, and when Enzo arrived at Big Nose Kate’s, his eyes trailing over me, I knew it was a good choice.

Albeit a different one.

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