Lemons 03 Stroke of Genius Read Online Free PDF Page A

really know how this whole thing works, ya know. I’ve never done this,” Vince said.
    “Well,” Elise replied, “it’s fairly standard. First of all, you have to trust us. If you don’t get the right vibe from us, then you should walk away and find someone you do trust. If you like us, then we can proceed. If you go elsewhere, you have to make sure that the investigator is licensed by the state and is fully insured and bonded. It’s mandatory for the license, but you still need to check. You need the investigators to have insurance because once you hire them, they are basically your employee, and if anything is damaged or anything like that by them, you will be liable. Other than that, make sure they have a confidentiality agreement. You don’t need other people knowing your business. Get it in writing, too. Anything else is up to you. Oh, some investigators will not testify in court, others will, that’s up to you, whatever you want. We, obviously, will testify when needed.”
    “Oh, thanks,” Vince said. “Really, thanks. I’d really like to proceed. We’ve got money. I have money from the movies and Balls’ parents are wealthy. I just talked to them and they said they’d help with anything. They’re in town right now. So, like, what are the prices?”
    I looked up to join the conversation again and heard Elise explaining our rates. He took out his credit card and handed it to Elise. She walked out to her desk and grabbed her iPad and the credit card reader that plugs into it and slid the card. She then looked at the card, typed something on the iPad then returned the card to Vincent. What she was doing was authorizing a mandatory one-thousand dollar charge with an additional fifteen-hundred dollar hold. The rest would be billed if the costs went over.
    “You have to understand, Vince,” I added, “we’ll do our best to dig into this thing and see what we can find. But if the police department couldn’t find anything fishy with the scene, don’t get your hopes up. The hotel room has been cleaned and rented out several times since his death, I would assume, so we’re going to have to go strictly by photos and interviews.”
    “I understand. I just have to try. The room should still be vacant, though. The hotel manager said something about that in regards to death. Balls’ stuff is still there, too.”
    “Right on, then. We will do our best. We will be in contact with you often so you’ll know exactly where we are every step of the way and you can make sure your money is being spent well.”
    “I appreciate that. Thank you, guys. Really.”
    I drew up a contract for him and he read it over, signed it and returned it to me. We were now officially in business together.
    He stood up and shook both our hands then made his way out the door. Once he was gone, I asked “That credit card didn’t have my name on it, did it?”
    “Ha! No. I even checked to make sure.”
    5.
    After Vince left, we decided to call it a day. I was gathering my stuff when Elise dropped her bombshell on me. Apparently, she had a date tonight. Some doucher that Jamie set her up with (remind me to punch Jamie) who was recently divorced. I’ve never been good with my emotions, but I was pretty sure the one I was feeling now was not a pleasant one. It felt like someone was standing on my chest. I couldn’t find my breath. I stood silently for what felt like minutes.
    “You can’t go on a date.” I told her.
    “And why can’t I?”
    “Because. Um. You didn’t tell me about it.”
    “I just did tell you about it. I just found out about it last night after dinner. It’s just a casual thing.”
    “Yeah, well I don’t like him.”
    “Well, you don’t like anyone, so that doesn’t really bother me that much.”
    “Well, what about the kids? You can’t just up and leave them?”
    “How am I leaving them? They’re with Jamie, just like always. Don’t worry, Archie. We’re just going to dinner.”
    “Well, I don’t