Gypped Read Online Free

public, was chatting on the phone. He had just the right amount of gel in his hair. Regan could smell his cologne. The nametag pinned to the breast pocket of his dark blazer said Edward. Regan waved at him. He put up his hand in the “just a minute” fashion. Can’t he register that I have something important to tell him? Regan wondered. Impatiently she looked around. The second chair in the booth was empty. Either budget cuts or break time, she reasoned. I’ll bet the latter.
    “So sorry,” Edward said as he hung up the phone. “What can I help you with today?”
    “I was just up in the garage,” Regan said, pointing, “and I noticed a guy who was acting very suspicious. He had a set of keys in his hand and tried them in two different cars, then hurried off. I think he was looking for a car to steal.”
    Although Edward frowned slightly, it didn’t seem that thepossibility of a criminal lurking nearby mattered much to him. “Huh,” he said, unconsciously picking at the neatly trimmed fingernail on his right thumb. “I can take you over to security but my coworker isn’t here right now.”
    “Where is security?” Regan asked quickly. He thinks I’m a nut. Shouldn’t he be at all concerned?
    The side door opened and his coworker stepped inside the large booth with a steaming cup of coffee. “Three more hours until I get out of here,” she grunted.
    Edward smiled broadly. “Perfect timing! Tara, I’ll be right back.”
    Regan watched as Edward got up, went out the side door, and came around. She followed him into the security room on the ground floor of the garage where television screens monitored the activity on all six levels. Edward introduced her to the guard who was at his desk eating a sandwich.
    The guard also seemed nonplussed by Regan’s story. “People need a ticket to get out of the garage,” he explained. “It would be really hard to get out of here if you don’t have a ticket.”
    “I’m a private investigator so I guess I tend to notice suspicious behavior more than other people would,” Regan said as politely as she could. “I don’t think I’m overreacting. I know what I saw. Would you like a description of the guy?”
    “Why not?” He pulled open a drawer and fished around for a pen.
    When Regan left, she shook her head. Neither Edward’s nor the guard’s reaction made sense. What good would it do them if this mall got a reputation for car theft? Shoppers would go elsewhere. They’d be out of a job, that’s what. No one would come here.
    Back at her car, Regan unlocked the door. Once inside, she replied to Jack’s text and told him about her plans for the evening.She didn’t mention what had just happened. No use worrying him.
    On her way back to the Island Hotel, a luxurious new establishment near Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Regan finally smiled. Wait until Jack hears about my afternoon, she thought. I think he’ll agree with me that guy was probably looking for a car to steal. He’ll tease me about my jeans. But for now I’m sure he’s glad that I have something to do tonight.
     
    At the hotel, Regan left the rental car with the valet. Staff members greeted her as she made her way to the spacious gleaming marble lobby and walked past a cocktail lounge where the after-work drinks crowd was starting to gather. When she reached her room on the sixth floor, Regan dropped her purse and shopping bag, kicked off her shoes, and poured herself a glass of water from the bottle on the nightstand. The pale apricot carpeting and draperies were soothing. The soundproofed room was calm and quiet. It was a world apart from that dressing room.
    Regan sipped the water. I could get used to living in a hotel like this for at least a little while, she thought. It’s not bad going out, leaving an unmade bed and a breakfast tray, and coming back to find everything spotless.
    I should feel more relaxed, but I know why I’m not.
    Regan went over to the desk, turned on her laptop, and