“So, you’re a widow?”
Maureen Chandler, our million-dollar benefactor, sniffs. “Yes. I’m sure you heard about my dear departed husband on the news.”
My dad’s somewhat caring and yet disinterested tone is pitch perfect for a first date. “No, I’m afraid I don’t read anything other than the Wall Street Journal. Is his death something you’d like to discuss?”
As he orders another wine to match the empty bottle on their table, she dabs at her eyes. “It’s silly, really, He’s been gone twelve years. I never thought…”
“We don’t need to talk about him, unless you think it might help.” He unfolds a pristine, monogramed linen handkerchief and hands it to her.
“I hope you won’t think less of me. His murder is ghastly embarrassing. I’m offering a reward to expedite finding his killer. The sooner this is over, the better.”
Busy listening in on their conversation, I don’t notice the waiting bartender until Landy taps my arm. “What do you want to drink?”
“Local on tap.” After our brews arrive, she leans over and hisses in my ear. “Maureen doesn’t sound much like a grieving widow.”
I place a finger to my lips. Even in a bougie place like this, the walls have ears. My palm, which has been itching to cover her bare knee, lowers to its target, and her eyes lift to mine. Her smile reaches all the way to her eyes which flicker in the light of the closest chandelier.
While my fingertips caress her soft skin, my father continues his undercover operation. “Were you married for long?”
“Twelve years too many.”
“I’m so sorry. A woman as beautiful as you, deserves to be happy.”
My date shakes her head at the flirting, but the widow eats it up. “We were, at first. Then, he wanted an open marriage. So, he pursued his interests as I did mine.”
As her fingers air quote for emphasis, Don Juan takes her hands in his. “A woman has needs.”
Next to me, Landy rolls her eyes and hisses. “He’s laying it on too thick.”
“Just wait.” I chuckle as my dad puts his napkin in his lap, lays his knife across the plate, and kisses her inner wrist. “Why don’t we take this conversation somewhere more intimate?”
He raises his hand and seconds later, his waiter appears with the bill.
“But we didn’t learn anything.” Pouting, my disappointed partner finishes her drink.
“Wait for it….”
Dad pours the last of the wine in his date’s glass. “Shame to waste it.”
She giggles. “I shouldn’t.”
“I insist.” He leans over the table and touches her sparkling diamond earring. “You’re such a fascinating, sexual creature. I’m so pleased we met but before we take this to my bed, I must be honest. I came here wanting to pump you for information on the reward you posted but now, I care nothing for the money. I confess and put myself at your mercy. I have a family estate in Italy in desperate need of repairs and thought if I could solve your mystery, I could restore it to its former glory but now, I know, it was a fool’s errand. All I need to be happy, is you.”
At first, I think he may have blown the mission, but as always, he read the situation perfectly.
Panting, mouth parted, she gushes at him. “Go ahead. Ask me anything. I’m an open book.”
In fairness, she probably hasn’t had sex in some time. I’m sure she was lovely when she was younger, but too many Botox treatments have made her lips swell out of proportion and the face lift doctor should be sued for making her into an alien.
My dad has a platinum card but chooses to use one of his less flashy ones to pay.
She pats his hand. “Don’t be silly. I got this. And about the other, I’d love for you to be the one to find my husband’s killer. Who better than you?”
My father nods. “You’re too kind. Why do you think he was murdered?”
“It’s all on my website. He was about to blow the whistle on Nuglax. He claimed he had proof positive their groundbreaking anti-viral medicine caused blood clots. Someone must’ve got wind of it and killed him.” Her tidbit of new intel is well worth the price of the three-star meal.
My dad flicks a glance in my direction. “I would very much like to take you back to my hotel.”
