The Pleasure of Sin Read Online Free Page B

some things, but she never told me whom she was dating,” he answered distractedly.
    “What kind of things did she say?”
    “The last time we met, she kept talking about some big thing she was into. She said it was ‘something I wouldn’t believe if she told me,’ but she never got into specifics.”
    “And you didn’t press her on it?” she asked incredulously.
    “You know Ruby—she always had crazy ideas, crazy schemes that never panned out. I just thought this was another one of those times.”
    Jade shook her head, her hand twisting around the linen napkin. “You should have asked.”
    His hand slammed down on the table, making her jump. “Damn it, Jade! Don’t you think I tell myself that every day? Don’t you think I wish I hadn’t been so damned polite?” he bit out vehemently.
    Guilt washed over her. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.
    “What? That I blame myself? That I wish I had been more involved in what was going on with her? Well, I do, just like you. There are a lot of things about Ruby that I feel guilty about,” he reminded her, his eyes meeting hers across the table. “But none of it will bring her back.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m just still trying to piece it all together. Did she say anything else? Anything that might give us some clue as to why this happened?”
    He shook his head. “Still investigating?” he inquired, his eyebrows arching.
    She took another sip of wine, taking a moment before answering. “Of course not. I guess I’m still trying to figure everything out, make some sense of it.”
    “There is no sense in this, Jade. There never will be.”
    After he walked her home, she collapsed on the couch. If she wanted answers, she’d definitely gone to the wrong spot. She’d been crazy to think he would help her, crazy to believe he would have the answers she needed. She had to face facts. If she was going to find out what happened to Ruby, she would have to look elsewhere.
    The next day she scanned the yellow pages for a private investigator. After making several calls, she finally got an appointment. Later that afternoon, she sat in front of the man she hoped would be her salvation—but at the onset, things were looking grim.
    Davis MacLean stared at the photos scattered across his desk of the beautiful redhead. “So, let me see if I understand. The cops are already on the case, but you want me to do some digging, see what I can come up with,” he inquired with a half-grin.
    Jade met his gaze squarely. She wasn’t sure he was the most qualified for the job, but he seemed to be the only investigator she could afford who was willing to take the case. Still, as she glanced at him, she definitely had her doubts. His white dress shirt had a stain on it, which she could only hope was ketchup or spaghetti sauce. The stain rested comfortably on his protruding stomach, which all but swallowed the brown belt wrapped around his waist. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms—to give the illusion, she assumed, that he was actually busy. And his gray hair was slicked back.
    She looked around the sparse office. The window was open, and a small fan circulated hot air throughout the room. Papers were scattered all over his desk, with a green lamp providing a small amount of light. It wasn’t exactly what one would think of as a professional setting.
    “Yes. Not that I don’t have faith in the police, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind the help,” she explained, her lips forming a grim line.
    “Well, in the case of the NOPD, they could use all the help they can get,” he joked, looking down at the picture of Ruby. “I’ll do it.”
    Jade relaxed slightly in her chair, a relieved smile spreading across her face. “Wonderful. Here’s my number. I’ll expect to talk to you soon, then,” she said, pushing her business card across the desk to him. She stood up, walking across the room to leave. At the door, she spun on her heel. “Keep me posted, Mr. MacLean.”
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