There is nothing

The lobby of a hotel wasn’t exactly his ideal location for a first meeting of a client, but Nic had been doing his best to spread his clients out as he could. There were so many people in town recently who were so very much upset with each other, that if he managed to keep all his plates spinning he would come out the other side of it a rather wealthy man. Not that he really needed it. With the combined life insurance of his parents padding his pockets, and the years of playing the write people in this town, he wouldn’t hurt for money for a long time. That’s why when he got strange messages asking him to meet them at even stranger locations, he came--ready and prepared for whatever. When someone appeared in the small corner of the lobby he’d taken up, arm chairs tucked out of the way, he could only assume they were who he was here to meet, “Dr. Livingston, I presume?”

“You know, I really wish this was the first time I’ve been asked to rummage through a dead girl’s things.” When he’d gotten Harriet’s phone call that morning asking, or rather demanding, he come over to her house right this minute, this honestly wasn’t what he was expecting. Staring around at the late Madison Redding’s room, he could see parts of the girl that he’d met the few times they’d met in person. But what he saw here, in the comfort of her own room, was the remnants of a young girl, gone before her time. And if his words were a little more callous than usual, it was what he did to help handle the situation, in his own way. “Please tell me you at least have coffee?” He figured he might need a little more caffeine, his shitty folgers cup from this morning not enough to wake him up from his late night, the night before. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Nic,” Isabel said, showing him a small smile. “I wish it was under different circumstances, though,” she added with a deep exhale. Maybe it was the guilt that she had cheated herself, or maybe it was actual intuition, or maybe she was just tired of women looking at Casper with complete infatuation and then side eyeing her. It wasn’t lost on her that some people talked about her behind her back saying things like how they didn’t understand what Casper saw in her, how she was stupid to think he was now a loyal man, how she just got into a relationship with him because of his money, because she’s a golddigger, and all these other horrible things and Isabel was just exhausted. She came to Dominic to have some peace of mind about the entire thing, wanting to be proven once and for all that Casper wasn’t cheating and they could all go on with their lives. “That must be tough, though. Having to break the news over and over that you found out that their significant others are cheating,” Isabel murmured, shivering slightly at the possibility that that could be her in a couple of days. No. Casper wouldn’t do that to her, she thought. “He’s… well, we just… we fight a lot. All the time, it seems, and we… we’re not–” Not as intimate anymore. I don’t know if it’s because he’s getting it from someone else or if he’s tired of me. I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know. “He’s just– He likes to keep me to himself, I suppose? He doesn’t really like my friends, nor does he want me to be around them, but he… I know he’s just looking out for me? He’s a hard-working man, owns most of Grimmbrook so I… I understand that he’s busy, but… let’s be clear, okay? I’m hiring because I want to prove that he’s not cheating, and I really hope you’ll come back with nothing. Probably an odd request, but I just… I can’t snoop around as much and I d-don’t really… want to? I don’t even have a car,” Isabel admitted, swallowing thickly. “I just… want to make sure I’m not going crazy.”

“Eh, it’s not that bad. Nine times out of ten, they already know the truth, they just don’t want to admit it until someone shows them proof.” Sitting across from her, Nic could already figure out she was probably one of those nine. She seemed too....soft. Well, maybe not soft, but naive? Unused to the shadier side of the world that surrounded her on all sides in Grimmbrook. Nic had wandered through many towns before he’d found himself in Grimmbrook, and he’d never once found a place that was so rife with the underground world, and filled with people who turned a blind eye. It was no wonder he managed to find a place for himself, when there was always someone willing to pay for the information he had a knack for finding.

“Well...alright, then.” It honestly wasn’t something Dominic hadn’t heard a hundred times before. There were always going to be people out there willing to take advantage of the people they ‘loved’ and those that would turn a blind eye so long as they continued to feel that love. Perhaps Nic was a little more harsh when he found the proof he needed to give them, to show that their significant other really was as shitty as they feared, but he felt like it was worth it. For them to break free from a relationship what was built on lies. “All, definitely plausible things, I’m sure. Could you get me a copy of his schedule, and a list of places he frequents? With jobs like this, I like to shadow them for a few weeks, see where they like to go, what they do. And if everything checks out, you’ll get a big thumbs up from me and a smile. And if it doesn’t--well, you’ll have all the proof you need to make your next decision.”

Ella cracked a grin at his comment about holding drunken patrons in high regards. “I love any and all patron who is going to give me a good tip for a good drink,” she said teasingly. “Until they want to get handsy. And then it’s time to go.” She made a slashing motion to illustrate her point. Dominic leaned back in his seat and Ella had one eyebrow raised before he even asked his question. “Well,” she replied, amused with his bold choice to eschew chit-chat. “What would you rather talk about instead?” She pulled out a chair and sat herself in it, crossing one leg over the other. “Is this where we talk about what everyone’s wearing, or who left the bar with someone else’s wife?” There was no telling what Dominic was going to say, or ask, and Ella was curious to know what would come out of his mouth next. 

“See, I knew you only liked me for my tips.” Dominic would be willing to pay her double what he did on the nights he spent at her bar, for getting the best seat in the place that gave him perfect vantage point. Many a night he’d spent in her bar watching for his current case, and she’d never once threatened to kick him out. It was a blessing when most of the shadier places didn’t like Nic there, poking his nose where it didn’t belong. “Well then, I mean we can talk about Jeremy’s horrible plaid ensemble. Or about how Mr. Marcus over there has gotten a little handsy with one of the servers, but that’s no fun. I’m more interested in you. In your life. What makes you tick, Ella Gertrude?”

Location: Rose Pedal Boutique

Who: @dominichall​

Of all the places in Grimmbrook that a client could set up a meeting with a private investigator, the Rose Pedal Boutique would be the last choice for many. It flocks with customers trying out the hot and latest clothes in the fashion scene. However, with the way Philip thinks, this is the perfect place where people wouldn’t think they have some shady business and he needed to buy some new clothes for himself plus he might be able to catch a glimpse of his ex-girlfriend. Hitting two birds with one stone, right? Gaze glanced at the different clothing racks with few on his arms that he wanted to try on when he caught the reflection of a man he’d been waiting in the mirror, entering the boutique. His infamous grin surfaced on his lips, holding up a brand new sweater towards his way. “This would look good on you man. You better try it.” He suggested. Dominic was hired by him to find dirt about his own father and sibling, and today was the time they’ll meet again after his request. Hopefully he did find something, but he was in no rush so might as well involve him with his shopping.

Nic really wasn’t surprised when he’d gotten the notification from Philip about where to meet. There was no such thing as shady backroom bar meet ups, or coffee shops three towns over. No, Philip had just enough arrogance to meet a Private Investigator in one of the most popular boutiques in town, and Nic really had to hand it to him. He had balls. Walking in to find him with already arms full of clothing, Dominic was almost worried things “I appreciate the thought, thank you, but chartreuse really isn’t my color.” Dominic had met enough men like Philip growing up to know how they ticked. Image was everything with guys like him, and Dominic had dressed up just enough to appease the man, but with enough rumpled touches that would hopefully keep him bothered. “Plus, you didn’t bring me out here for a fashion show, did you? If so, I am severely under prepared.” Nic had been hired to find out some juicy dirt on the man’s family, and dirt he did find. And far too easily, he liked to think. If he were a better man he would suggest to Philip’s family to invest in better security.

Silence was her closest companion, going hours at work without speaking a word and before Sammy had found himself moved into her small place – there might have been days before she spoke. It didn’t happen so often these days, letting others bring her back into the real world but there were still moments when small talk escaped her and this was one of them. She wasn’t a young lady, hadn’t ever been and never wanted to be as she made a small face, but kept it hidden as she glanced away from him until he spoke again with the food showing up at the same time. “I wanted to know if what I thought was going on wasn’t all in my head,” she spoke frankly, not afraid in the moment of what he might think of her when what she needed was the truth. “If there’s someone, then I need to know who they are and I need to figure out why.” And how to make them go away.

Dominic let out a soft sigh, and nodded his head, figuring that would be her answer. She may look soft, but she was just as pig-headed as her brothers, and twice as mean. It’s why he liked her so much. “Alright, but remember, you asked for it.” Reaching into his bag, he pulled out an ipad and slid it across the bar towards her, a man’s face reflected up from its surface. “This guy look familiar to you?” Nic had been surprised when he’d watched the footage from the club, and spent his own week frequenting the establishment, on and off, and found that the only common denominator in all of Dani’s shifts was this guy. Nic would forever be amused by how many of his cases overlapped one another, and if the people in this town ever really talked to each other he’d be out of a job. “He’s been at every one of your shifts this week. He’s never the first one to arrive, or the last one to leave. He always manages to get there right as you’re about to take the stage.” Thankfully Nic hadn’t caught the man following Dani home on those nights, but he’d had enough stalker cases in his life to know that rarely stayed the case.

“I’m sure there’s still an endless bottom I’ve yet to reach.” The redhead said with a grin as she folded her arms above her chest. While she knew she was just hitting the surface, she chose not to delve too deep into all the possibilities. There was a reason she hadn’t become a private investigator, as well. They tended to be shady and it all felt too depressing. Everyone cheated and trying to catch husband’s going out with their secretaries sounded boring. Letting a small sigh as he spoke, she knew that she’d had to jump off the cliff into blind trust on this one. Just because he mentioned that he wasn’t cold hearted didn’t mean she’d believed him, but what other choice did she have? “I guess we’ll see with time.” The redhead purred as she looked over him once more, trying to get sense his tell. Someone always did something when they were uncomfortable or lying — but he must have been good at playing the part. “Well let’s hope that we find the person who put her where she is and make her pay for it. I also want you to know that I will be heavily involved in your case. I want to ride along when you find something. I owe her that.” 

When he shook her hand, she dropped it at her side and shrugged her shoulder. “Everything you’ll need is at the police station,” Harriet said with an hint of a smirk. “Given how exceptional you are, as well as the money I’m paying you, I do hope that’s not an issue for you. I take it that you’re creative enough to figure out ways around that.” Now she’d get to see just how well he was at his job.” Pausing momentarily, she leaned closer. “I want you to look into three individuals, starting with Brandon Wolfe. Once you’re done with him, I’ll give you the other names.” Pulling a pen and paper from her counter, she scribbled down her number and pushed it forward. “Contact me when you have something.” Harriet murmured before moving to the door, signalling her departure and return to the wake with the lift of her glass. 

THE END

Dominic could only hum softly under his breath in acquiescence, sure that any other sort of reaction would have the woman’s hackles rising again. And he’d seen what she could do to a kitchen table that wronged her, he wasn’t in the mood to see what she would do with something sharp. “Alright then, you can ride along, but I pick the music.” Though her want to be involved was...admirable, he knew it stemmed more from her unwillingness to fully trust him, and he couldn’t blame her. Dominic wouldn’t fully trust him either.

The police station, of course. Dominic kept his amusement off his face, sure she’d take it the wrong way if she saw it right then. She didn’t need to know that Brandon was already in the process of getting him everything he needed from the station, but if she wanted to see what he could do--he would make sure she was duly impressed with him. At the mention of the Sheriff himself, he couldn’t help but raise a brow in surprise, “The Sheriff?”  He reflexively took the paper she pushed towards him, and tucked it away into the many pockets of his jacket, shaking his head in amusement. Only a few minutes ago she’d been about to destroy her kitchen, and here she was all prim and proper again. The many layers of Harriet Redding. “You’ve got it, Boss.” With a two-fingered salute, he moved to exit through a different doorway and head back into the wake. He had work to do.

universities are a microcosm of the society we live in; that’s what her professor in philosophy told them during her freshman year. you’d meet people from all walks of life, young and older alike. razel doesn’t typically recognize all the people she sees from time to time. however, there were some people who stands out because of their uniqueness. and the man sitting next to her at the cafe looked more of a professor than a student, which is pretty much why she remembered his features. not because he’s older than the people in her class, but simply because he looks scholarly. if she happened to see him in other places than that class, then it’s just merely coincidental since they’re studying in the same campus after all. their paths would tend to cross from time to time. 

“ it is! ” she assured him with a wide smile on her lips, hoping that she didn’t come across weird for pointing that out. after all, she’s still pretty much adjusting to the norms of this society. upon being asked what the class what about, her eyes lit up as she answered, “ it’s logic under philosophy. i’ve taken philo last year and my professor encouraged me to take this. it’s quite harder than i’ve expected. ” the admission came with a sheepish grin; she’s not exactly the sharpest when it comes to reasoning or numbers, so maybe she shouldn’t have taken this. “ i’m sorry–i haven’t even introduced myself and i’m already unloading on you. i’m razel, by the way. ”

After two weeks of tailing her classes, Dominic was still unsure of why he’d been hired in the first place. She really only went to class, and home, and when she did wander off the beaten path it was to the grocery, or some other store to wile her time away. There was no nefarious circumstances, no drug dealing in corridors, or illicit sex in a car parking lot. None of the usual things that Dominic kept an eye out during his profession, because people weren’t always the best when they thought no one was watching. But she was simply--a young, college aged girl, going about her daily life. 

“Logic under philosophy? I think you’ve got a leg up on me, because I have no idea what that means.” Chuckling softly he leaned back into his chair, playing up the hapless, late-age student that he was. “Do you sit around and try to figure out why certain philosophers are logically suited to different government regimes?” Dominic himself was there working on his third degree, all under a pseudonym of course, but he always ended up focused on history, or science, or honestly whatever caught his attention that month. “Oh, shit. That’s right.” He wiped his hands off on his napkin, making sure all the coffee was off them, before offering his hand, “I’m Austin. And don’t worry. You’re not the first person who’s taken a look at me and decided to spill their life’s story.” Nic’s smile was soft and open as he shrugged, “I’ve just got one of those faces.”

Harriet was simply trying to dot her i’s and cross her t’s when it came to whom she trusted with information that would inevitably be drudged up. While she would have liked for that person to be someone she knew well, Harriet had simply did her best at pushing people far enough away from her that she couldn’t truly trust anyone with this. Not when the entire town had been dragged through the mud with this fucking website her niece had. It wasn’t personal but something told her that she didn’t have to explain as much to him. If there was anything she’d noticed about the male, it was his confidence and uncaring nature towards what other people thought of him. She could respect it.

“I don’t think that it’s a secret. You sit in your car, wait around a lot, lie a little, gain trust — maybe break in a time or two.” Harriet muttered with a small smile given that she had done a lot of the same thing in order to get her stories in the day. It was a battle when it came to other media outlets and being in the race to be the first to break the news. Cunning methods had to be used. At the mention of caring for her niece, Harriet’s eyes crossed slightly. “Why would you care about what happened to her? You’ve surely heard everyone mention how horrible Madison was. It was a little more than keeping her nose out of trouble.” She muttered with a fold of her arms, wanting to know why he’d fight for this when so many others were keen on letting it die with her. She wasn’t worth the trouble. Swallowing thickly, she finally sighs and nods at the male. “I’ll match your price and add a grand to ensure your loyalty. I want you working on nothing else, for no one else. Whether it has to do with Madison or not.” She chimed and extended her hand as to seal the deal. Most of all, she didn’t want anyone to pay him to look into her family. “Deal?”

“Damn, Harriet. Just giving away all my life’s secrets.” There was a twinkle back in Dominic’s eye at the humor, happy to let her think what she will of his work. Because if that’s what she thought he did, to an extent, then she wouldn’t think to check into the rest of what he did. And Dominic would much prefer to let some of his shadier dealings stay under the radar. He wasn’t surprised by her unwillingness to believe him, but he didn’t need her to believe him. Just pay him, and let him do what he needed to do to find Madison’s killer. “Just because everyone else in this town is heartless, doesn’t mean I am.” Though, if Dominic were being truthful, he’d ruined his fair share of marriages and lives through his work, but that was nothing. Nothing compared to the butchering the young woman had gone through, and Nic was smart enough to realize the difference. “She was a young girl, with a mean streak, but that didn’t mean she deserved to be killed. I know a dozen other people in this town that should’ve been in her place, but here we are.”

Dominic almost figured that he’d pushed too far, and she’d find another method to finding information on her niece, but there really weren’t many other options in town. If she wanted it done, with as few ulterior motives as possible, he was her guy. And it seemed she was of the same opinion. “With a proposition like that, how could I say no?”  With a slight grin he took her hand and shook it, “You’ve got a deal. Any information you’ve got, or anything that she left behind that you might have access to, I’ll take it, and get started right away.”

Being hungry came close to a second nature for Danielle, remembering too many times when she was younger that the food to eat that night was whatever was stolen that day. Things weren’t that dire, they hadn’t been for a few months since being released and getting the job at Fairy Tails but that didn’t mean she knew the luxury of comfort. Not yet. The only times when comfort came in was on the tail end of a job well done where things could be splurged on for a night or two before they got tight again. She chased that feeling, but hadn’t been able to find it since returning to Grimmbrook. She finished off the beer and slid the empty glass back towards him. “Oh I know, or else I’d be out on the street looking for a meal rather than hitting you up just like old times,” she told him lightly, letting the exhaustion settle her back down with elbows on the bar as she gazed across the small distance at him with perked up interest. “I feel like I’m not going to like this. Maybe you should let me eat something before I lose my appetite.” But the rest of her wanted to know that it wasn’t all in her head. That she wasn’t losing her mind.

“Well, far be it for me to keep a young lady like you away from her meal.” With a raised brow he gestured to the bartender and ordered the pair of them a set of burgers and some fries. He hadn’t eaten that day, and he figured she hadn’t either, so it couldn’t hurt to fill them up during this not-so-pleasant conversation. The beer they were both drinking would only help, surely. While they waited for their food he turned to her with a raised brow, “You sure you want to know anything? I can probably find someone to take care of the problem all without you knowing anything about it.”  Dominic didn’t think she’d take him up on it, too stubborn and hard-headed not to want to be involved in whatever way she could. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t shield her from things if worst came to worst. 

“I have, thank you very much for asking, asshole. And newsflash, just because they’re more pretentious doesn’t mean you aren’t,” Meg said with a roll of her eyes. Reminding herself that she was here because she actually needed his help – a fact that made Meg’s blood boil because the last thing she needed was help, especially when it came from her ex-boyfriend – she took a deep breath to try and calm herself down. 

“Of course you fucking don’t,” Meg muttered, showing him a glare before shaking her head. “Whatever, we’ll figure that out later, okay? I need to know if you’re going to help me with this or not, because I’ve… already started on this… thing. I’ve tried to break this guy down and inserted myself into his life but I haven’t really found anything yet and it’s… it’s just a hunch but you’re supposed to listen to your hunches, you know? So are you all in or not, because once I tell you, you can’t back out.”

“Fair point.” Nic had to grin in response to Meg’s words, forever amused by how quickly and easily she could get to the point. It said something about his psyche that the more she was riled up, the happier he became, but Nic had always enjoyed riling people up. With Meg it was just an added pleasure and a reminder of a time when things weren’t so strained between them.

Harriet peered over at the male at his information. It was intriguing, but she made sure that her poker face gave little away as he went on with asking her whether she’d heard about Keith Sloan or not. With a leaf from his own book, she winked on a shrug. She’d give little away, but the truth was, Harriet had made it her job to know most people in town. “Go on,” the redhead beckoned as she turned towards him and listened. While any information she received would be helpful, she realized that it had not proved anything. Anyone who read her niece’s blog could know stories about people. Rather, she wanted to know how and when he’d gathered the information. Perhaps even to what lengths he would go to in order to get the truth. “You came into the Grimm a few times,” Harriet hummed, making it clear that she knew who he was. “I liked your determination but it’s going to take a lot more of that. You see, I can find a Private Investigator easily. I also have enough money to make the laziest of bastards move quickly. I need to know how hungry you are for this because if you aren’t, I’ll find someone who is. If you find what I need, I’ll make sure no one forgets your name. In the same way that I will make sure no one will hire you if you take my money and bring me nothing of worth in return. So tell me, how did you find out about the last story my niece worked on?”

Dominic found his grin turning just a shade more real as she gave him a wink and a shrug. He’d known plenty of people who had heard Harriet Redding’s name and started shivering in their boots, but Nic had always had a misplaced sense of self. He didn’t care if people hated him, or not. He had enough information on the people in this town that if one really wanted to turn against him, he could find a way to get them back for it, but she didn’t need to know that. She wanted to be the badass boss who held all the cards, and Nic was happy to let her have it. He was damned good at his job, but only because he knew how to fly under the radar, get the information and get out. He didn’t want to be famous, or have his name splashed across everyone’s self phone. That’s where Madison went wrong, in his opinion. She wanted to be known, to be seen, and she’d eventually picked the wrong person to expose. Nic, on the other hand, knew that the more eyes on him, meant more people digging into his past, and he’d spent far too much money to bury that life to let it come bubbling back to the surface.

“You realize I’d be a pretty shitty P.I. if I just went about telling everyone my methods, right?” Idly, Nic reached out for a shard of the plate she’d broken earlier and moved to toss it into the sink with a shrug. “I think the only thing you really need to know, Harriet, is that there’s someone in this town who cares about your niece’s death.” Some of the earlier mirth disappeared from his face as he let more of his true feelings about the situation shine through. “I don’t care about your money, and I for sure don’t care about having my name in lights, but I do care that a young woman was killed for no better reason than she didn’t know how to keep her nose out of trouble.” He turned to meet her gaze straight on. “Just know that I will do anything in my power to help find who did it, and make sure they get what’s coming to them. You can believe me, or not, but I’m going to try and figure it out regardless, because no one deserves what happened to her.”

Danielle closed her eyes, breathing in deeply to keep her features calm rather than disappear completely from the table when Nic told her the going rate to keep her sanity intact. It could have all been in her mind, something that she was imagining whenever she left the club alone. No one had been there, but she felt the way her skin crawled as if there was something watching her. “I can do it,” she spoke finally, knowing that it was something that would be tight and possibly not possible to ever be able to pay him back completely if it took too long but she was getting desperate to keep from losing her mind. Or her brothers, if there was someone watching her and they found out about it first. “It might take me a few days to get the money together, but I’ll find a way to make it happen.” She needed to know the truth.

Dominic watched the was she almost disappeared inside of herself for a sec, and already knew he wouldn’t be asking the full rate from her. He wouldn’t classify himself as a bleeding heart, he spent too much time digging into other peoples horrible secrets to be. But there was something about Dani. Hell, about the whole Mason family that just made you want to wrap them up and put them in a box for safe keeping. “Give me a week and I’ll find something on your stalker. Then maybe we can figure out a payment plan.”

“Didn’t know her well enough to care that much, but she was a person.” Harrison had been looking out at the garden when he heard the man speak. “So I care about that part. This is just not usually my crowd.” If he showed up to something like this on most cases they’d stare or tell him to leave. At least he had the clothes to fit in. A deep laugh left him when he mentioned the suit, “Hell if I know, it was a gift. I don’t think anyone trusts me to pick out my own suit.” He had cash, that he wasn’t lacking. It was hard not to when you had blackmail money and winnings from fights. “Did you know her? Madison I mean.”

“Fair enough.” Nic could count on one hand the number of people who had come here for the same reasons as this man, and it was refreshing, almost. Not to have to sit by and listen to the rest of the vultures rip Madison’s person to shreds. She’d been a difficult person to understand, far too interested in digging out people’s worst secrets, but no one deserved what happened to her. ”Well, whoever picked it out did a good job. It looks good.” But, hell, rags would look good on the guy, and a   “No, I didn’t. I mean, I’ve read a few of her blog posts, I mean, who hasn’t, but I didn’t really know her.” Dominic was a talented liar, had been lying about everything doing with himself and his past for the ten years he wasn’t worried the other man would catch on. Dominic and Madison had kept most of their job related meetings under wraps, just for this sort of reason. “Came to pay my respects, and maybe get a free meal out of the whole thing.” With a side of, survey the masses and possibly help find a killer, but that was neither here nor there. “Figured I’d give it another hour before heading home and drowning my sorrows in a bottle of whatever alcohol I can find.”

Harriet couldn’t help but smirk when the male held his job close to his sleeve rather than be up front. It was no matter, she was certain that she was right about her assumptions. Her head tipped slightly and she nodded her agreement. “I can see that,” she chimes as her thoughts pull her away from the conversation momentarily. It’s only when her attention returns to him that she notes the grin that has grown upon his face. At first sight, she decides that she hates it but doesn’t say anything about its appearance. 

Folding her arms above her chest, she decides that she doesn’t trust him. At least not as far as she can throw him which is not at all. There’s something about that smirk and his quipped comments that put her on edge. However, there’s something to be said about keeping your friends close and enemies closer. While he wasn’t an enemy, he could be a potential threat. “I think we’ve all figured that out.” It wasn’t like she cut herself up. Light hues narrowed when he began to name his price for the information he acquired or would acquire on her behalf. “I think you’ll have to give me a little taste before I decide you’re worth the money. I’m willing to pay more to ensure your loyalty, but I refuse to go into this blind.” She says with her arms crossed. “You’re surely seen or heard something that could be of use to me.”

Dominic raised his brows in surprise at her adamant refusal to simply hire him on the spot, but he couldn’t blame her. And understood a little more how she was able to run such a cutthroat business. “Alright, then.” He couldn’t mention that he’d already been hired to look into Madison’s death by Brandon, fairly certain the man would have his knees smashed and left in the back woods, but that was neither here or there. Nic could handle Brandon’s brand of intimidation, but Harriet was something different. she was a challenge, and Dominic was going to enjoy himself. Well, as much as one could enjoy oneself when investigating the brutal murder of a young woman. So instead of dragging in Brandon’s side of things, he went with the other truth--of a sort. “I happen to know one of the stories Madison was working on before she disappeared.” Nic highly doubted it was the one that got her killed, cheating husbands were a dime a dozen in this town, but he’d also been at this job long enough to know that things could be connected in ways that even Dominic hadn’t figured out just yet. “The name Keith Sloan mean anything to you?”

“By a few cases, do you mean a few dozen? Or is it actually just a few?” she asked, only half-joking. After the events of the past few weeks, more than a few people were probably concerned with their safety and any long term feuds or grudges going on. It makes sense to then have someone look into whether they should be worried. “People watching’s going okay, though?” Ella had wondered more than once if being a private investigator put one in much danger, or if the cases were less glamorous than what was shown on television. At his question, Ella gave a noncommittal shrug. “Standing for now, but sometimes when it’s crowded and we can’t get the drinks served fast enough, I’m a little worried they might bum rush us.” Occupational hazard, she supposed. “But the tips are good, so …” She also wasn’t qualified to do much else, so she was stuck there for the moment. “You know, can’t complain.”

“I wish it were a few dozen. Might help me pay off that new Rolex I’ve had my eye on.” Dominic was full of shit, but he’d been in Ella’s presence enough, as quick as they might’ve been, for her to know when he was full of shit. “It’s going as well as it can be. I haven’t had to run for my life in a few weeks, so that’s been nice.” There were many days where Nic sat in the same car, in the same place, for hours on end, and wondered how he’d come to this. How he’d gone from wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, to running as far away as he could, but he just had to remember the pictures that he’d been shown as proof of his father’s misdeeds to remember. “Well-- I’m glad you can’t complain, because it’d hurt my feelings to know that bartenders don’t hold their drunken patrons in the highest regards.” Leaning back on the back two feet of his chair he gestured to her with his nearly empty plate of snacks, face just this side of too innocent, “Don’t you just fucking hate small talk?”