“You must spend a small fortune on surveillance stuff.”
“These are prototypes. I hammered out a sweet deal with a manufacturer in Oregon. He sends me sample products. I test them in exchange for great deals. I have some extras if you’re interested.”
“Thanks, but my surveillance cameras work fine.”
“You sure? Your only expense would be installation.”
Carlita wrinkled her nose. “And I’m sure hiring you to install them would cost me a pretty penny.”
“You should never cut corners when looking for quality labor and experience.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” She rocked back on her heels, watching as Elvira anchored the camera to the post.
“Can you do me another favor?”
“Sure.”
“Stand over there.” Elvira pointed in the general direction of Carlita’s rear apartment entrance.
“You want me to stand by my apartment door?”
“Correct.”
“Elvira Cobb,” Carlita scolded. “You cannot spy on my tenants.”
“It’s not spying. I’m merely monitoring activity.” Elvira began humming under her breath, tightening the screw and moving the lens. “Fine. If you won’t help, I’ll figure out the exact angle myself.”
“This is ridiculous. If you don’t move the lens away from the back door, I’ll do it myself.”
Elvira stopped what she was doing. “Are you serious?”
“I won’t allow you to spy on my tenants, including my own daughter.”
She mumbled under her breath and turned the lens. “Happy now?”
“A little more to the right.”
“Sheesh.” Elvira twisted it slightly and hopped down before Carlita made her move it even more. “I have other ways to monitor the neighborhood.”
“I’m sure you do. Why the sudden interest in my tenants?” And then it dawned on her. “Bubba. You want to keep an eye on Bubba.”
“Something about him isn’t sitting right with me.”
“Because you don’t like southern gentlemen.”
“Not true,” Elvira said. “I wouldn’t live in the South if I didn’t get along with Southerners. As a PI, I have a good feel for people, and he’s giving me a suspicious vibe.”
“I think…Iknowyou are way off on this one. Bubba is a nice guy. As I mentioned before, he had a glowing recommendation from his former landlord.”
“What does he do?”
“For a living?”
“Yeah. His job. What line of work is he in?”
“I don’t remember,” Carlita said. “You already interrogated him. What did he say?”
“He was vague. To be honest, I think he was making stuff up.”
