Private eye Abby Adams set down her salad fork and stared across the table at Saguaro County Sheriff Al Moreno.
"Al, are you seriously asking for my help on one of your cases?"
The big Arizonan scowled. "Let's just say I'm requesting your input. Hell, you've got a knack for spotting things--even if you did choose being a PI over a cop."
"Hmm," Abby said. "That's a back-handed compliment if
I ever heard one, but I'll take it. And I'll also take another piece of that delicious bread."
Moreno passed her the basket containing The Prospector
Café's famous southwestern onion cheese bread, sipped from his water glass, then said, "Okay, here's the problem in a nutshell. The case involves--"
"Whoa," Amy cut in. "Buying me dinner is nice, but it doesn't pay the bills. I've got a business to run, and overhead, license, and other nasty necessities to pay. If
I'm going to get involved in a murder case I think I'll need a little scratch."
"I'm just asking for input," Moreno said, "not for you to stick your neck out or anything."
Amy shook her head. "That's all you're asking now, but later.... What if you break the case because of me?
)
