The Incident (Chase Barnes Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

thought about it; I really did.  I really think this could be a good thing for me.”  Trying to power through my frustrations, or what I thought might be frustrations, I had spent the day really considering my life as an independent private investigator.  I said, “I get to make my own hours; I get to be a detective, which is what I was going to put in for at the department anyway, right?”
                  She nodded and I could see her mood briefly lighten.  “I suppose, but what the hell do you know about private investigation?  How are you going to pick up cases?  And, more importantly, how are you going to earn a steady paycheck?  We can’t live just on my salary.”
                  I knew Lindsey like a favorite pair of sneakers.  The comfort level.  The amount of support left in the sole.  And, most importantly, the quirks that just make them work.  And because of all of this, I prepared myself with a list of questions that Lindsey would bombard me with when I told her what had transpired from the meeting.  I could now check off questions one, two, and four.  Number three was on the way.  I answered them in order in which I had them written.
                  “Fitzgerald said he’d throw me a few cases to get me started, which also will give me some money to bring in.  I can charge an hourly rate, plus expenses, such as travel, if necessary, and supplies.”  I didn’t know what type of supplies a private investigator would need but I was confident in my answer.  My mind drifted to night- vision goggles and camouflage crossbows then realized I was just going to be a private investigator in suburban New Jersey not auditioning for Rambo Part Five.
                  Lindsey watched as I checked off the first two questions on my list.  I continued, “Well, I obviously don’t know a whole lot about private investigating but what’s there to learn?  I’ve been a cop for a few years so that should give me some level of credibility.  I’d also like to think that I have some pretty good detective instincts.  And I read a lot of mystery and crime novels.”  I added the last part to make Lindsey smile but it failed. 
                  She sat at the kitchen table with her hands in her lap and stared at nothing in particular.  I couldn’t help but stare at her pristine looking skin, her steel blue eyes and the way her shoulder- length hair was perfectly shaped around her slender face. 
                  Nothing was said for a minute or so.  It was an awkward silence that made me feel very uncomfortable.  Lindsey finally moved and I watched her put her hair up into a ponytail only to immediately let it fall back across her shoulders.  She stood up.
                  “Well, is this what you really want?
                  Bam! And there was question number three.  Check.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Seven
     
    “Yes it is,” I said.  She was content with my answer and sensed the level of confidence it carried.  We talked about inane things for a while and decided to both make dinner.
                  While I sautéed up the onions, peppers, and mushrooms, Lindsey prepared the pork chops for the range- top grill.  I could tell she was thinking about something.  Probably work.  Probably my work- or whatever the hell you wanted to call it right now. 
                  “What is it?” I asked.
                  “Well, it’s funny you should bring up private investigating, Mr. Chase Barnes.”
                  I always laughed when she called me that.  I cautiously replied, “Why?”
                  “There’s a boy in my class, Esteban.  He comes from a really tough neighborhood and an even rougher home life,” Lindsey said.  I had an inkling as to where she was going with her thoughts but I stayed quiet