“Don’t ask.”
“That bad?”
I shrug. “Nothing we can’t handle. But I appreciate you coming here.”
“Us small business owners have to stick together, right?”
I plug the scanner into his OBD port and it reads the trouble code from the engine computer. “Yeah, we do. About that. How about I make you a deal?”
His head cocks as I exit his car. “Deal?”
“Maybe not so much a deal as a barter.” I nod to the scanner. “It’s your O2 sensor. Parts and labor will set you back about three fifty.” I lean against the car. “I’m in need of information. You work in security. I’ll replace the part for free if you dig up anything you can find on a particular individual.”
He rubs his chin. “Does this have something to do with the woman and child who’ve been staying with you? You need a background check done on her?”
“It’s not her I’m worried about. It’s her ex. He’s threatening her, but I’m not exactly sure why. The police haven’t been helpful to her in the past.”
“Sounds like you need a private investigator. That’s not exactly my forte.”
“Surely you have resources.” I don’t add that no way could I afford a private investigator, not with everything going on here at work.
“I might know a guy who owes me a favor. What can you tell me?”
“His name is Cyrus Kelly. He lives in New York City. Drives a Mercedes. Mid-forties. He’s a divorce lawyer with his own firm. He’s a gambler. Owes a lot of money to a bookie.”
Jonah types notes into his phone. “What exactly are you wanting to find out?”
“Anything. Everything.”
He looks up. “So the rumors are true.”
“What rumors?”
“That you may not be on the market much longer.” He cocks his head. “You in love with this Kenna woman? That’s why you’re dead set on keeping her safe?”
“It’s complicated.”
He chuckles. “You say that like you aren’t talking to the Calloway who married the McQuaid.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I guess you know complicated.”
“Deal.” He holds out his hand. “No guarantees, though. I have no idea what Ethan will be able to find out or how long it will take.”
“I appreciate anything you or he can do.” I pat the roof of his SUV. “I can have her fixed by the end of the day. You need a ride anywhere?”
He points across the street. “Nah. I’ve got some business to take care of at the bank. Heather or Dani can pick me up after.”
“How is Dani?”
He beams with pride. In addition to being a stepdad to four of my McQuaid cousins, and father to three of his own sons with his late wife, he and Heather share one child together. “She’s a senior. And, proud dad moment, she’ll graduate third in her class. She hasn’t committed to a university yet, but we’re hoping it’ll be nearby.”
“Congratulations. Will she join the family business?”
“I can only hope. But she says she wants to do some self-discovery first, whatever that means.”
Dax pulls in, towing a smashed-up Ford Taurus.
Jonah looks from his car to the Taurus and back to me. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full today. I’ll leave you to it and let you know when I find out anything.”
