The Case of the Killer Divorce Read Online Free PDF Page A

danced. I find walking without tripping enough of a challenge. Luckily, my name isn't Grace, so I don't have all that pressure.
    I couldn't wait to unwind with my best friend and chat about our week , although I had no intention of talking about Becca. Her sad story was the reason I needed to get away in the first place.
    The city of Hollywood is about thirty square miles altogether, so everything is close by. It only took me twenty minutes to get to Tekila's, even with rush hour traffic. Grace was already seated at the lacquered bar, dressed in her 'Casual Friday' clothes, which were still pretty chic, sipping a Margarita on the rocks, extra salt. I could see a frozen rum runner on the bar, waiting just for me. The glass hadn't even started to sweat.
    "Wow!" I said, sliding onto the bar stool. "How did y ou get here so fast--jet pack?"
    I scooched my drink closer and latched my mouth onto the straw. Instantly, sweet, tart, icy rum runner started gliding over my tongue, numbing and exciting it at the same time. I sighed with contentment. Funny how something so co ld could make me feel so warm.
    "I teleported," Grace said with a laugh. "Try to keep up, Jamie, will ya? Actually, I was around the corner picking up a transcript. I have a big trial coming up and my client is giving me an ulcer. At this rate, I'll have to start buying Rolaids by the case. "
    "Poor you!" I said, patting her arm with my cold, wet hand. She yanked her arm away and I laughed.
    "He-ey!" She protested.
    "I'm just trying to take your mind off your troubles," I said. "You're welcome." Then I went back to slurping my drink.
    "I hope you get brain freeze," Grace said, matter-of-factly.
    "Oh, I plan on it. But that won't stop me from ordering another one. How's your Margarita, lady?  Does it meet your high standards?"
    Grace snorted. "My standards are pretty low when it comes to Margaritas. All I need is a shot of tequila and some salt, and I'm happy."
    "Speaking of low standards," I said, signaling Jan, our favorite bartender, for another round, "Did you finally dump that loser, Christopher, or did you take him back, again ?"
    Grace polished off her drink just as Jan placed a fresh one in front of her. Her timing was always impeccable.
    "Sorry, I can't h ear you, the music's too loud."
    "Grace, seriously? You took him back? He totally mooches off you, he barely works, and he's not even nice. And now he's making me look like the bad guy. I ought to give you the spiel--where's your self-respect, you deserve better, the whole thing, but I'm not gonna do it. You wouldn't listen, anyway."
    "You're right."
    "I know I am."
    "I mean, you're right about me not listening." Grace said. "Look, I'm not crazy, Jamie. I see Christopher for who he is, but I still like him. He's funny and spontaneous and we have a good time together. I never said he was Mr. Right ; he's just Mr. Right Now . Okay?"
    " Alright, sorry. Just trying to look out for my BFF. I'll shut up now. Feel free to give me advice about my love life anytime," I said.
    "I would, but…"
    "But, what?"
    "You don't have a love lif e." Grace gave me a sideways look.
    "Oh, yeah, that's right. I don't." I sipped my second rum runner. Two is my limit, s o I had to make this one last.
    "What are we going to do about that?" Grace asked, tapping her foot to the music as she watched a couple salsa dancing across the room. They were good.
    "One problem at a time, Grace," I said. "Right now, I'm looking for my dad, and I don't even know where to start . How am I supposed to obsess, if you keep trying to distract me?"
    "Whoa, hold on a minute," she said, putting her drink down and giving me her full attention. "Yesterday, you were too freaked out to ask your aunt about your dad, and now you're devoting your life to finding him? Did I miss something?"
    "Yeah, you did. I'll catch you up, but I'm going to need some tacos first . " 
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 13
    "So, let me get this straight," Grace said, after we'd