Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
His eyes narrowing in concentration, he typed out a response, trying to strike the right balance between curious and friendly with a tinge of flirt. Once he hit Send, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the screen. Anticipation coursed through him.
The soft ping of an incoming message made his pulse jump.
RedHotSavvySleuth: Thanks for bringing this case to my attention. I’m hoping the police are all over the disappearances at that new mall, but Lafayette’s finest aren’t all that great, in my experience. Tell me more.
JasperThePrivateDick: I couldn’t find a lot online, which seemed odd. So I started thinking… CSI seems like it’s tackled some tough cases and had some successes. Because this is a local issue, any chance you’re up for tackling a mystery in your own backyard? I’ll provide all the help and backup I can. And be your sounding board, of course.
Tense minutes ticked by as Nash waited for Haisley’s response. He hoped like hell she didn’t shut him down. Finally, the soft ping of a new message broke the silence. His breath caught in his throat as he read it.
RedHotSavvySleuth: I’m a bit out of touch locally since I’ve just moved back home after being away for a couple of years. Admittedly, I’ve been looking for a good distraction. The thought of taking on a local case is intriguing. I’ve never investigated one before. Anything else you can share?
Gotcha. Nash’s lips curved into a wolfish grin. Haisley might have played hard to get last night, but online, when she had no idea who he was, her curiosity and her unwavering sense of justice would give him the in he needed. Drawing her in deeper would require an admittedly deft touch—and a delicate balance between flattery, facts, and intrigue.
JasperThePrivateDick: Beyond the fact young women are disappearing—five in the last year or so—I can’t find much. Nothing about an official investigation. But I only got a tip about these disappearances last night. They piqued my interest. Have you heard much locally?
RedHotSavvySleuth: Nothing. Now that I think of it, that’s weird. The city’s rag usually reports any sort of criminal behavior, even a stolen bike or garden tools out of someone’s garage. I can’t imagine why they haven’t reported on something this big.
JasperThePrivateDick: Maybe someone is trying to keep it hush-hush? Possible corruption at play? Seems to be plenty of that everywhere these days. This case is something I’d love to sink my teeth into, but I live too far away to do the legwork. Since we started talking, I’ve read some of your posts. You’re insightful, and you have a can-do attitude. Your local knowledge would be invaluable. I think we’d make one hell of a team. I have experience working disappearances, and I’m tenacious. You game?
RedHotSavvySleuth: You make a compelling pitch, but I’m starting a new job tomorrow. I don’t know how much time I’ll have.
Fuck. Had he come on too strong? Or maybe she’d been hit on by a fellow crime solver before.
JasperThePrivateDick: I get it. My schedule is erratic, and my job is demanding, too. I swear I’m not a perv hoping to send dick pics or ask you for nudes. I really want to get to the bottom of these disappearances, and I’m not close enough to do it myself. Don’t these women deserve our help?
RedHotSavvySleuth: They do. Clearly, someone taught you how to pack extra-heavy bags for that guilt trip.
JasperThePrivateDick: Don’t we all have grandmas? And I did mention that I’m tenacious. It’s one of my charms…
RedHotSavvySleuth: Charms? Is that how the people in your life would phrase that quality?
JasperThePrivateDick: No comment. LOL! But I’m relentless when I’m in pursuit. Once I sink my teeth into something juicy, I won’t let go until I’m fully satisfied. You’ll find I can be insatiably thorough.
RedHotSavvySleuth: My, my, Jasper. Is that silver tongue of yours making promises it can’t keep? I hope you can back up that bravado with actual skill.
Haisley might be fuzzy on just how skilled his tongue was, but he’d be more than happy to remind her.
JasperThePrivateDick: Hang around and find out.
RedHotSavvySleuth: You are smooth and every bit as tenacious as you claimed. I’ll give you that.
JasperThePrivateDick: Yep. The question is, can you keep up?
RedHotSavvySleuth: And you’re cocky, too. Obviously, you don’t know me. But trust me, I can keep pace without breaking a sweat. I love solving a good mystery. And I believe in justice.
That was such a Haisley answer. Good to know that, even if she was barely speaking to him, she hadn’t changed.
RedHotSavvySleuth: So tell me your angle. What about this particular case interests you?
JasperThePrivateDick: I’m a protector by nature. This kind of crap shouldn’t be happening. Women who want a new pair of shoes or whatever shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.
RedHotSavvySleuth: It sucks that more men don’t feel this way. But you didn’t answer my question. Why this case?