Words With Fiends Read Online Free PDF Page B

with.”
    Then, figuring that this was as good a time as any to pump her friend for info, Darla licked a bit of pepper sauce from her thumb and casually added, “So, I hear that Alex Putin is your latest client.”
    â€œThat new employee of yours sure has a big yap on him,” Jake declared through a bite of paella, though she tempered the criticism with a smile. Darla knew Jake had a soft spot for the goth teen. “Yes, Mr. Putin gave me a retainer. And, no, I can’t tell you about the case.”
    â€œAre you sure you can’t be bribed?” Darla snatched up the last calamari ring and waved it enticingly before her friend.
    Jake shook her head. “You know the rules, kid. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of my business.”
    â€œNice saying. Sounds like something you should stick on your business card.”
    â€œActually, it’s written on the banner on my website,” the older woman replied, her expression pious.
    Darla rolled her eyes and popped the would-be bribe into her own mouth. Not that she didn’t agree with Jake in principle; it was just frustrating not to be able to tap into that source of gossip. Then she sobered.
    â€œJake, I understand the whole discretion thing, but I can’t help but be worried, all the same. I know it’s none of my business, but do you think someone like you—I mean, an ex-police officer—should be associating with a crook like Alex Putin?”
    â€œYou’re right, kid . . . it’s none of your business,” Jake shot back, her tone sharp enough that Darla blinked.
    Then, apparently realizing that her reaction had been over the top, the PI sat back in her leather chair and sighed.
    â€œSorry, I didn’t mean it to come out like that. I was second-guessing the situation, myself, the whole time I was talking to him. Believe me, I don’t want to become one of those cliché private eyes who takes on anyone as a client so long as they can write a check that doesn’t bounce. But business has been a little slow the past few weeks, and I’ve got bills to pay,” she said with a meaningful gesture around the apartment.
    Darla nodded, glad to brush aside her own momentarily bruised feelings to focus on concern for her friend. “Don’t worry, I understand. And if you ever need an extension on the rent, don’t hesitate to ask.”
    â€œThanks, kid, but I’ll scrape by. Bottom line, though, I’m not about to turn down any halfway decent clients.”
    She paused and held up a warning hand. “And before you start lecturing again, remember what Reese told you the last time the guy’s name came up.”
    Reese was Detective Fiorello Reese, a former colleague of Jake whose acquaintance Darla had first made when he’d worked security at an afterhours autographing event at her store the previous year. He remained Jake’s good friend, though his relationship with Darla was one she was still trying to figure out. It didn’t help that Jake subtly continued trying to throw the two of them together, no matter that they weren’t exactly a Match.com made in heaven . . . at least, not in Darla’s opinion.
    â€œCalling Alex a crook is going too far,” Jake went on. “As far as the police are concerned, he’s a legitimate businessman. His name may have been mentioned a time or two regarding some questionable deals, but he’s never been arrested for anything, let alone been convicted. Bottom line, I don’t have any problem letting him hire me.”
    â€œAlex?” Darla raised a brow in her best James imitation. “A bit informal, aren’t we?”
    â€œDon’t push it, kid.”
    â€œOkay, okay, but at least tell me why he needs a private detective. Is his wife cheating on him? Or maybe someone’s blackmailing him, and he’s afraid to go to the police? Or—”
    â€œEnough. You can guess all you