I spotted her the minute I walked in. She was alone in my office going through the overdue bills on my desk, and I knew right away she was trouble. It was written all over her. Well, maybe not all over her, but it was written on her T-shirt in big black letters-"TRUBBLE." Someone didn't know how to spell, but the message was clear enough. I stopped in my tracks. My heart raced, and my hands got clammy. I wondered if I should get out while the getting was good, but it was too late. She looked up and smiled, kind of a crooked smile-like she didn't really mean it.
"Hello, Ruckels. Keepin' banker's hours?"
The dame made me.
Hiding my panic, I squared my shoulders and crossed the five-foot expanse toward her, my shoes squeaking against the old linoleum, and cursed myself for not fixing the lock on the door. The comforting sounds of the city wafted through the cracked window-squealing tires, a woman's scream, gunshots-making me wish I was out there instead of in here. But, I wasn't out there, and I couldn't back away now. I stood there, towering over her, and waited for her to speak again. This time, I'd be ready.
She looked up at me, her green eyes targeting me like two loaded peashooters. "Whatsa matter, Ruckels? Cat got your tongue?"
Damn. She'd done it again. I looked toward the window, trying to seem nonchalant, took a deep breath, and looked back at her. Time to play hardball.
"I know you didn't come here to exchange pleasantries," I said, squinting harshly at her.
"Omigosh! Ya got something in your eye?" she asked, jumping up and dashing around the desk. The concern in her expression nearly dropped me.
I stepped backward, away from the intense heat emanating from her. Even my week at Gumshoe U hadn't prepared me for this. "Uh, no," I managed, only too aware of her womanhood. Her thick legs seemed to stretch on forever, all the way from her hips to her ankles. And those big hips. And bosoms. A woman bred for breeding. I took another step backward. It would take a man all day just to get his arms around her.
"Look here, Ruckels," she said, interrupting my fantasies. Her face was inches from my own. The smell of garlic on her breath tantalizing. "Let's quit playing games. You know what I'm here for."
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