I’m not sure I have much faith in a therapist who ‘helped’ Trips. He’s never been terribly stable. Although maybe he’d have been worse if he hadn’t gotten help. I’m not the one to answer that.
Looking up the shrink, I find he has all the degrees and accolades that money can buy, his work photo showing a kind face, if not a happy one. The perfect picture for a psychologist to the troubled kids of the wealthy.
His social media is sparse, which makes sense. But if Trips’ dad felt comfortable sending him to this guy, there must be dirt on the man. I just have to find better dirt than he did.
I’m halfway through my third Mountain Dew and still not finding a damn thing on the guy when a knock on my door drags me from my frustrated search. Calling out a moment later, I end up with Jansen sitting on my desk, blocking my view.
“Move.”
“No. I’m bored.”
“Don’t you have a cat to entertain?”
“It’s a cat. It’s not like he needs to go for walks or play fetch. We spent a little while with the feather stick thing, and now he’s chilling on my bookcase.”
“Jansen.”
“Yes?”
“You need to find something to keep you engaged, at least for right now. Something to tie you over.”
He pulls out his ponytail, blond hair falling into his face. “Dude. I know that. But I’m fresh out of ideas. Unless winter skydiving is a thing, I’m at a loss. And to be honest, I don’t think Trips would approve that expense. Too pricey for our cover.”
“Jay, our cover is as good as blown. Trips’ dad knows. My dad has an idea. Same with Clara’s dad. And the police know enough for Clara to end up being a CI. We’re not fooling anybody.”
“Clara told Emma too.”
This gets my full attention. “She did?”
“Yeah. She’s been sworn to secrecy. And honestly, I trust Emma more than most anyone with this. She’s protective of Clara. Like, majorly. If there’s any chance of splash back on her, Emma won’t risk it. And as Clara’s straight up in the middle of everything right now, we’re safe. Or at least as safe as we can be. On top of that, she caught a ride home with Evie last night, so I have a feeling she’s going to be distracted for a bit.”
A huff of near laughter makes it out of my mouth. “I take it playing matchmaker was a success, then?”
“A roaring one.” His grin says there’s more to the story, but we all need our secrets. If the way his eyes are unfocused is any measure, it looks like this one involves Clara. I’m glad they had fun last night. “So, no gigs at all? Nothing coming up that we might sneak in under the radar?”
Damn it. He needs this. But I don’t want to risk Clara. Not in the slightest. “Not unless you want to visit a fancy psychologist.”
His brows crease, and I sigh, the pieces falling together when I wish they wouldn’t. “Go get Walker. We might have a gig, albeit a tiny one.”
Five minutes later, the three of us are in the living room, Walker having been busy baking cookies, probably to pass the time.
“A job?” Walker asks, wiping his perfectly clean hands on his apron as he sits on the couch next to Jansen. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
“No. It’s not. Which is why we aren’t involving Clara or Trips. They can’t be seen there.”
“Seen where?” Jansen asks, folding and unfolding his legs, unable to sit still.
“Trips’ old psychologist. His dad had dirt on the guy. We need better dirt so he can go get some help without his dad being looped into everything that we have going on.”
“Wait. Weren’t we looking into Evie’s stalker?” Jansen asks, totally unable to stick to the conversation at hand.
This is bad.
“I am. I should have a short list for her to look over here in a few days. But we’re talking about the psychologist. I need you to be a new client and get a key-logger on his work computer. His home computer should be the usual in and out. Walker, you’ll have to be a distraction so Jansen can plant the one at the office. The policies for medical equipment and records mean that laptop won’t be sitting out in the open and easy to access. Jay and I can get the house, but not the office.”
Jansen flops onto his back, his legs dangling over the side of the couch. “Why do I have to be the client?”
Walker and I share a look, neither of us wanting to mention that he needs therapy more than the rest of us. Although none of us are running in peak condition right now.
