Page 67 of Charmed Forces
“It’s a good idea. Not for someone who’s wanted by the police, the agency isn’t safe enough for that, but definitely for us, or any of the other employees.”
“I don’t want to encourage working all hours but I think a bunk could be useful for that too.”
I reached for my water bottle and drank a gulp. “Something to plan when this case is over.”
“I don’t see much planning. Just the basics. Bed, mattress, bedding.”
“But nice,” I insisted.
“I was just thinkingclean.”
“Maybe some wallpaper.”
“I’m not sure anyone would appreciatethat.”
“People don’t notice their surroundings when the things are nice. They only notice them when they’re not. How do you feel about throw pillows?”
“Ambivalent.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll make a list.”
“I’ll give you a budget.”
I reached out my hand. “Deal,” I said and we shook on it.
I finished my fries and checked my watch, which was ridiculous because I was hardly going to clock out while there was still work to be done. “I’m trying to find an ‘in’ with Tom Victor’s girlfriend,” I said. “At the very least, I hope to get some more information about her.”
“Let’s get to it, then, and go home. There won’t be much more we can do for Daniel tonight and we both need the rest. It’s been a long day and I’ve seen you wincing and holding your ribs when you think I’m not looking.”
“I’m a little bruised,” I admitted as I finished the last of my food and wiped my hands on a napkin. “What if it’s not enough?” I asked. “What if we can’t find what we need to exonerate Daniel? It was bad enough when the whole police department were out looking for him. Now his face will be plastered across the news.”
“We still keep going. We haven’t discovered everything yet.” Solomon reached his hand across my desk and I lay my hand in his. “It’s not over.” He squeezed my hand, then released it. “Now get back to work.”
“Yes, boss.”
Angelica Randall wasn’t on the same social media blackout her boyfriend preferred but when I perused her profile, I did notice a slow-down in her posts. There were still plenty of her shopping, going to lunch with her girlfriends, and having beauty treatments. I had the feeling she either wanted to be a social media influencer or just show off her lifestyle. It was hard to determine which motivated her more.
What she never showed, however, was Tom Victor. There was no mention of him anywhere, and no hint that she evenhada boyfriend. I suspected he was strict aboutthat.
What I did find interesting were her manicures: she had a standing appointment every second week. Judging by the previous dates, her next appointment was tomorrow. “Perfect,” I said as I examined my own nails. Unless I wanted to waste time trying to hunt her down, I needed to get an appointment there too.
I followed the link to the salon but the online booking system showed it was full and the salon hours had closed only a half hour ago so there was no one to argue with.
I grabbed my desk phone and dialed Lucas. “I need you to get me a mani-pedi appointment with Blush Salon tomorrow,” I said.
“I think you got me mixed up with someone else,” said Lucas. “Someone who knows what a mani-pedi is. And books appointments.”
“No, I mean I need you to hack into their system, cancel someone else’s appointment and get me in instead. It’s for the case, I swear,” I told him.
“I’ll do it now. I’m not getting anywhere with the cameras for that coffee shop. I can’t find an obvious feed that’s theirs. I’m still looking for any others in the immediate area. Oh! I’m in Blush’s booking system already. They need to upgrade pronto. Their firewall is no more than kindling. Do you want any appointment you can get?”
“I need one for ten AM. Don’t cancel Angelica Randall but do cancel anyone else’s. Can you get an appointment for Lily too?” I didn’t ask her but I was sure she’d want to come along for the ride. Plus, she would add to my persona of “girl about town.”
“What do you want me to do about the canceled people?”
“Rebook them and send a spoof message from the salon, if that’s possible. I don’t want them showing up and causing problems.”
“Ifthat’s possible,” laughed Lucas. “Done. Two bookings at ten AM. The other two are rebooked for the following day with a complimentary ten percent off.”