Maloney's Law Read Online Free PDF

genius.’
    ‘I know. And you’re a PI. Who are you going as?’
    In answer, I unlock my desk drawer and bring out my business cards folder. Not other people’s, but mine. Whenever I need to pretend to be someone else for a client, I always have several business cards made up, as you never know when they’ll be useful again. The one I choose today is one I used for the first corporate case I ever had, and I’m rather proud of it: matte black background with gold scales logo and lettering, Paul Maloney, Special Investigations, International Monopolies & Markets.
    ‘I never thought we’d see that one again,’ Jade says. ‘We must be going posh. Does the patch-through number still work?’
    It does, though not before several phone calls and some speedy testing. Not that I think it’ll make any difference. I’m assuming Mr. Kenzie knows my name already and won’t be fooled, but there’s no harm in making it look good.
    When we’re done, I smile at my assistant, who coughs and fiddles with something on her desk, something I can’t see.
    ‘Yes?’ I say.
    ‘What?’
    ‘You’re coughing and fiddling with paper. I know the signs by now. What’s up?’
    ‘Nothing, I think. It’s just...’
    ‘Go on. Tell me.’
    She sighs, straightens her shoulders, then stands up. Clutching a few sheets in her hands, she walks over. I catch a glimpse of what looks like a typewritten report that she lays, face down, in front of me.
    ‘I found this,’ she says. ‘I don’t know if you want to look at it, and you don’t have to, but I thought it might be useful.’
    That said, she goes back to her desk, sits down, and carries on with her work. I turn over the report, and the scent of this morning’s roses seems to wash over my face, clinging to my skin. It’s a draft report on the dead woman. Initial findings, assumed cause of death, and preliminary, if so far abortive, police investigations. Her throat has been cut, and there’s some evidence of sexual activity, but it’s not conclusive. Jade hasn’t printed off the pictures with the report, though I know there must be some and I also know I won’t ask for them. There’s no point. The woman here, a slim brunette, is thought to be in her early twenties, so there’s no need for me to check any photographs. The body has no identification. The only items recovered apart from her clothes are a silver necklace with one small star and a torn-off scrap of paper scrawled with the word, “Bluesky”, the latter found neatly folded in her bra. A plea has already gone out for reports of any missing women, with no results as yet. Good luck to them. It isn’t much to go on.
    ‘“Bluesky”?’ I ask.
    Jade looks up and shrugs. ‘Sorry. I don’t know what it means. It’s just business-speak.’
    ‘True. Not much help then.’
    ‘You okay?’
    Snapping the report shut, I place it on the edge of my desk, as far away as possible. ‘Sure. Good work, Jade. Doesn’t seem much there of use to anyone in terms of identification. They’ll have to rely on dental records if no-one comes forward to claim her.’
    She nods but says no more.
    By the end of the day, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I hope.
    ‘You dancing tonight?’ I ask as Jade switches off her computer and reaches for her jacket. Tuesdays are her salsa nights, but sometimes in August she and the other girls from the class don’t bother and just go drinking instead.
    ‘Sure. With these new earrings, why wouldn’t I be? You coming?’
    ‘What do you think?’
    ‘Coward. You know you’d love it if you tried.’
    ‘Not my scene, no matter how much you ask me. Besides I need to be my best for tomorrow, assuming your research is right.’
    ‘Of course it’s right,’ she starts before realising I’m joking. ‘Oh, very funny. Are you sure Cairo is ready for you?’
    Cairo may well be ready for me, but I’m not prepared for it. Or the chauffeur.

    The moment I step off the plane, the heat wraps around me like