Page 6 of Alibi for Murder
She couldn’t think of a reason why she should be worried—there had to be some kind of mistake. But the fact that they had the video showing her in the hospital, supposedly one week ago, entering the room of a man who was murdered, was startling enough to take a moment to think this situation through. As much as she would love to believe it was just some sort of mistake—a woman who looked like her—this was not the case.
This was something very, very wrong.
She had no family attorney. The one who had settled the estate after her grandmother passed away had since passed away himself. She had no friends who were in the legal profession.
In truth, she had lost touch with anyone she had considered a friend years ago. Not due to any falling outs or disagreements. Just because she wasn’t much of a socializer, and it was simplyeasier to focus on work and taking care of her grandmother, and then the pandemic came along.
Life changed.
She leaned against the locked door and racked her brain for anyone who might be able to advise her. Someone she could trust.
Wait. A smile tugged at her lips.
Steve Durham.
He’d joined the police department in Chicago when he graduated high school. She remembered him well. He was a year older, but she’d had a serious crush on him. Not long before her grandmother died, she and Allie had bumped into Steve’s grandmother at an appointment at the medical center. The two had discussed being widows and having grandchildren. Allie remembered Mrs. Durham talking about how Steve had left the police department after only a year, deciding instead to go to university. Then he’d gone on to law school. He’d been hired right away by some fancy, as she called it, private investigations agency in Chicago. What was the name of it?
Oh yeah.The Colby Agency.
Chapter Two
Chicago, Illinois
Colby Agency, 6:30 p.m.
“I realize it’s late,” Victoria Colby-Camp, the head of the agency said. “But—” she gazed at her most trusted associates around the long conference table “—we have to make a decision before any of us go home for the weekend.”
Steve Durham smiled. Victoria was never one to mince words. Nor was her granddaughter, Jamie. She’d come on board just six months ago, and already she was doing a stellar job. Jamie was so much like her grandmother. It was clear to Steve and everyone at the agency how very proud Victoria was to have Jamie at her side.
Tonight’s after-hours meeting was about the two open investigator slots. The agency’s clientele list continued to grow, and actually they needed to add at least five. But it was difficult to find the caliber of investigator this agency employed. The Colby’s longstanding reputation was one of the reasons Steve had decided to become a part of the agency.
Lucky for him he had started right out of law school. Victoria had personally sought him out and offered him a position. She’d explained that one of his professors at Northwestern had called to say Victoria needed to have a look at Steve. He’d been damned surprised and extremely humbled by the recommendation.According to Victoria, his background in law enforcement made him uniquely qualified as an attorney, in her opinion.
Steve was grateful. He had five years at this agency so far and hoped for many, many more. It was an honor, really, to work with Victoria.
He scanned the faces around him. Working with people like Ian Michaels, Nicole Reed Michaels, Simon Ruhl and Victoria’s son, Jim, was an opportunity he’d never expected. He glanced at the young woman seated next to Victoria. Jamie held her own with the very finest the agency had to offer. She had proven very quickly that she deserved to be the leader of the agency—in training of course. She represented the next generation of this agency and represented it well. And then there was Lucas Camp—Victoria’s husband—who was a legend in his own right. Just knowing him was a privilege.
Steve genuinely appreciated that his work here was not confined to the typical corporate or financial legal business of being an attorney. He was more like one of the investigators, but his job was to advise and steer any investigator who might find themselves in a tight situation, legally speaking, out of trouble. It was the perfect combination of practicing law and putting it into action in the field.
“I’m in agreement,” Ian Michaels spoke up. “Jamie and I have interviewed both candidates, and we’re more than pleased with what we’ve seen.”
“The two are a perfect fit,” Jamie agreed with a nod of her blond head. She smiled. “I wish we could find two or three others so qualified.”
Good news for the two candidates, for sure. Those gathered around the table weren’t impressed by anything less than outstanding performances.
Jim Colby spoke up next. “On separate occasions, I was accompanied in the field for a day, first with Chance Rader andthen with Billie Jagger. I was also impressed with their bearing and communication skills. I say let’s do it.”
There was a whole barrage of other requirements for agency investigators that included self-defense skills and the use of weapons. Every investigator was as fully trained as any police officer on the street. From time to time, a case required those skills, and the Colby Agency never let down a client.
All looked to Steve then. “I have thoroughly reviewed the backgrounds of both candidates, and I’m fully satisfied we should move forward with offers of employment.”
“Very well.” Victoria smiled. “Jamie, if you will relay the good news so that our new investigators don’t have to spend their weekends in suspense.”
Jamie stood. “I’ll make those calls now.”
Victoria rose from the head of the table. “And I will get home to the celebration dinner Lucas is preparing.”
Victoria and Lucas were celebrating the birth of another grandchild. Lucas’s son, Slade, and his wife, Maggie, had just brought home a new baby. This was number three for the couple and a bit of a surprise since their others were fourteen and twelve. Life had a way of tossing out those little surprises. Fortunately, in this case, all were pleased.
