Only two more days until you can join Annie McGregor in her quest to become a private investigator.
It was time to turn the tables, go hunting, and to visit as many of Ian’s old haunts as possible. If anyone could track him down, it was she.
The man outside tossing a bag into the garbage bin looked familiar, but Annie couldn’t place him. There were lots of residents in the building she hadn’t met. She’d probably passed him in the hallway or shared the elevator with him. He spared her a sideways glance and a nod and nothing more. He didn’t seem to recognize her, either.
Nothing unusual happened on the stroll to the shop, but Annie didn’t allow herself to relax. If Ian had hired Lucky, he might have another accomplice in place. Her revolver tucked into the small of her back and covered by the oversize blouse was cold against her skin and reassured her she was ready for anything.
Annie had exchanged pleasantries with the elderly female clerk at the store on several trips, The lady, involved in her normal game of solitaire, studied the playing cards and barely gave Annie a glance. The store smelled like old people, and the racks held a colorful selection in styles Annie’s deceased grandmother had worn. Nothing she’d ever choose for herself, which made them perfect for the occasion.
The bell over the door rang, and from the far corner, Annie peered around a stack of brightly colored flowered blouses to check out the newcomer. At first glance, he looked like the man by the garbage can, but his silhouette reminded her of someone else. She ducked behind the rack. What the hell was Mike doing here?
She had two options. Three, when she thought about it. Slip out the rear door. Hide until Mike gave up, deciding she wasn’t there, and left. Confront him.
She slithered through the clothing racks until she was back-to-back with him as he held up a brown suit that appeared to be several sizes too small. “The brown isn’t bad, but it won’t hide that Dick Tracy profile, Mr. Edwards,” she said, pretending to browse through a rack of polyester pants with elastic waistbands.
“And you need to change your perfume, Ms. McGregor,” he replied.