Maxine Skye, Private Eye

by Monique Smith

  Who was this unknown person? Where was this secret meeting and what was it all about? Just as he was coming back I finished wiping up the coffee. “Thanks, you're a life saver.” he smiled. “Oh no problem at all.” I told him. Seeing him up close and personal he was tall and handsome like I had originally thought. I could tell he and Lucy were related because they both had blonde hair and big blue almond shaped eyes. I could see why Laura would be smitten with him. He liked to look good and smell even better. From what she told Angela he liked to spend money on her and she wasn't shy about seeing someone at work. It looked like something they both wanted. But I couldn't help thinking about what his wife would think. She was very pretty but it didn't seem like Steve cared. Laura was convenient. I went on cleaning the areas I needed to until lunch time. I sat with Verene again and she talked about her son. “Chile, I can't believe my son!” she said. “What's wrong Verene?” “That fool went and got some girl pregnant. I told him to wrap it up but did he listen to me? NO! Telling me I'm gonna be a grandma and I should be happy about it.” she said slamming her fist on the table. “Do you know the girl?” I asked her. “Yeah I know the girl, and despite my feelings about the situation, I do like her.” “Well maybe with some help they will be okay.” I said trying to sound confident. “What about college? He worked so hard in high school so he could get a scholarship to college. And even that won't cover everything. So I've worked hard all for nothing? For him to be a daddy and still struggle?”

  She was visibly upset. “Verene...maybe with some help he can still follow his dreams.” “How much more help can I be to him?” “You can be a lot more help, if you want to...what about her parents?” “I haven't met them yet. This was supposed to be just a casual friendship that turned into much more.” “It usually does.” I told her. “It might be a good idea for you to get to know her parents and maybe together you all can come up with a game plan. I'm sure they are just as upset as you are. Having a baby doesn't have to be the end of the world.” “Maybe you're right.” she said shaking her head. “I hope it works out for you and your son Verene.” “Me too.” We finished lunch and went back to work. I didn't want to make the same mistake and be late so I put off going to the bathroom until later. Back on the floor I noticed that Nathan had someone in his office. The door was closed but I could see through the window. It was a short, bald man. From the looks of their faces the conversation didn't seem like a good one. I wasn't close enough to hear anything and besides I didn't have a reason to be near his office. I would have to let the opportunity go for now.

  Chapter Four-What Kind of People Work Here? I finished the windows near the offices and started working on the windows near the back of the building. Not much activity back here, just copy machines, fax machines, trash cans, mail boxes, shredders and filing bins. As I cleaned the windows I noticed they used log-ins to use the fax and copy machines. The last person to log-in was Will Benning. I was curious to see what he was copying. This copy machine showed images of the last items copied. It looked like Will made copies of expense reports for Lucy Knight. On the first page there was an expense for a hotel stay in Madison City three days ago for $1200.00. The next one was for dinner at Rocco's Bar and Grill on the same day for $375.00. There was a third one for $653.00 and it was for a purchase made at Waverly's Precious Jewels. There were several more purchases made but I didn't have time to write them down or remember them all. I took my phone out and snapped a photo of the copier and made sure to show Will's log-in. If these were actually Lucy's purchases she was living large. Was this all for a client or just for personal use I wondered. Just as I put my phone back in my pocket I heard someone talking quietly. I continued to wipe the windows but listened intently trying to hear what was being said. “Frank, if you keep bothering me about this I'm going to have to refer you to another attorney.” It was Ashley. I remembered her voice from the last time she had this conversation with Frank. “No it's not okay. I told you your wife is definitely having an affair. I happen to know the gentleman myself, he's a friend of mine.” “I have the photos I sent copies to you last night.” “No I don't think you should go ahead with plan B Frank. Give me some time you have proof that she's cheating on you. I can schedule a hearing with Judge Manning he'll get it on his calender within three days.” “Well if you kill her you could get caught and go to jail you idiot!” she yelled in a whisper. “Alright then, just please be patient.” “Yes and leave her alone for God's sake.” “Goodbye.”

  I hurriedly moved away from her and she was in such a hurry herself she never even noticed me. Murder? I thought. What kind of clients was she dealing with? Infidelity, divorce and alimony is all one thing. Murder was quite another. I would like to know who Frank was and who his wife was if he was planning to kill her. It sounds like he wants a divorce by any means necessary. I decided it was break time. I took my supplies back to the closet and went to the restroom. Laura was in her favorite spot in front of the mirror. She was pretending to blow kisses at it and then started putting on red lipstick. I went into one of the stalls. I could hear her cell phone beep. I peeked through the crack in the stall. She was typing something in the phone and shaking her head. “Boy oh boy.” she said. She put the phone down and started running her fingers through her hair. I flushed and came out to wash my hands. “Well hello!” Laura said to me. “Hello.” I said back. “You must be new around here I would have remembered seeing a pretty face like yours.” she said. “Thank you.” “In fact, you're too pretty to be cleaning up this place.” she said looking confused. “A girl has to earn some money.” I told her. “True. But how you earn it is the key.” she said turning back to the mirror. She began pushing her breast up into the V-cut space in her shirt. “What do you mean by that?” I asked her. “Oh no offense. I know you're earning an honest living honey. But with that face you could be getting a lot more sweetie pie. You should find yourself a rich fool and take him for all he's got. He'll love it and you'll be earning that money you need.”

  “So, you're suggesting I become a prostitute?” “No, no, of course not baby cakes. I'm simply saying that God gave you that sweet face, and that hot little body for a reason. Use it!” she winked at me. I looked in the mirror. I know I'm not an ugly woman but I never considered using my looks for financial gain. “Have a good one, ya hear?” she said. She turned to take a look at her behind and then sashayed out of the bathroom. I looked back at myself in the mirror. I am too talented to be a prostitute. The good Lord made me to be much more than a man's play thing. I did note one thing though. There was white powder on the sink where she was standing. I wasn't sure what it was but I could assume it was the same powder I found in Steve's office. No wonder they got along so well. They were both using cocaine. I got back to work vacuuming all the common areas and emptying the trash. At the end of the day April wanted us to again check all the offices for cleanliness. I tried to get to Will's office before anyone else but Verene was already in there. “So are you feeling any better?” I asked her trying to strike up an inconspicuous conversation.

  “I guess so. I thought about what you were saying earlier. It made a lot of sense. I will just talk to the girls parents.” I listened to her but I was also pretending to help her clean. I was looking on Will's desk for anything else that contributed to the documents I found earlier. He seemed to clear his desk completely everyday. He had a file cabinet behind his desk. “I do like her.” she continued. “She is a very nice girl too. Her future is also at stake so I'm sure her parents will want to do whatever they can to help.” “I bet you're right.” I answered trying the handle on the cabinet. It opened but I had to keep Verene talking so she wouldn't notice me snooping. “Yes I couldn't imagine having a young daughter and she were pregnant and I didn't do anything to help her.” “I don't have any children...yet.” I said trying to quietly open the drawer. Verene was dusting the ceiling lights on the other side of the room. “But if I did I would definitely be there for her.” I continued. “We all make silly mistak
es.” I opened the drawer and looked at the files inside. He had manila folders like Steve had and the very last file was labeled LK-PERSONAL. Bingo! I thought. “She is carrying my grandchild.” Verene said turning on the vacuum cleaner. I took my phone out and snapped a quick picture of the files. “She is Verene, she'll need a lot of attention. Doctors appointment's, vitamins, rest, you name it.” I had to talk louder over the vacuum. She turned it off just as I was sliding the drawer closed. “You're right.” she turned to me. “You're exactly right. I'm all done in here. You finished?” “Yes I'm done too.” I told her. “Good, let's blow this Popsicle stand.” we laughed, got on the elevator and headed out.

  I had a lot to think about. Will seemed to skimming off the top and so did Steve. What were they doing? Lucy seemed like a nice enough person. Why would they want to steal from her? It didn't add up. What kind of clients did Ashley deal with? Any client that talked about murder to his lawyer wasn't a client I would want. And Steve...what was the secret meeting all about and who was it with? So many unanswered questions. I decided to follow Steve to see who he was meeting with. Good thing we finished on time. I was able to get out just in time to see him turn the corner. I followed a safe distance behind him keeping a car in between us. He drove for about fifteen minutes to a bar called Sam's Place. I parked across the street in the strip mall and waited for him to get out. He sat in the car another ten minutes until another car pulled up. It was a navy blue BMW with the license plate KNIGHT1. A tall man with brown hair got out. He was wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt, tennis shoes and sunglasses. As I zoomed my camera lens to take a picture of him he walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. I was shocked to see Jennifer the receptionist getting out. What was she doing at this meeting? Was this the secret rich boyfriend she couldn't talk about? I took a picture of all of them walking into Sam's. Once they were all inside I drove across the street to take a closer picture of the cars.

  I waited about half an hour and Steve stumbled out. He was talking loudly on his cell phone. I had my window rolled down but still couldn't hear what he was saying. He got in his car and drove away. Ten minutes later Jennifer came out with her boyfriend. This is really crazy. How was I supposed to tell Mrs. Knight that her estranged husband is cheating on her with her receptionist? I took a photo as he opened her car door, she got in and he gave her a kiss. He walked around to get in the car and then they pulled away. I had to meet with Mrs. Knight tomorrow after work and I wasn't looking forward to telling her all the information I'd gathered in just one week. Knight, Hall and Hall had lots of secrets and strange things going on. “Lance, sweetie where are you?” I left him a message. “I really need to talk to you. Call me back.” When I got home all I wanted was a shower. I wanted to wash away all the dirt that was going on behind Lucy's back. They should all be ashamed of themselves I thought. I got out of the shower, put on my most comfortable pj's and poured a glass of wine. I didn't realize becoming a PI would cause me to have a daily glass of wine. But prying into other people's private lives came with a price I guess.

  “Hey Lance, where are you?” I asked him when he called me back. “I'm at a crime scene, it's terrible, a triple homicide.” “Oh my God what happened?” “We were called to the scene a couple hours ago...a man killed his wife, their five year old daughter and then himself.” “Oh my goodness honey that's awful. God why do people have to take everybody when they want to go?” “I wish I knew Max.” “Are you okay?” “I'm as okay as I can be dealing with something like this...it never gets any easier.” “I know, I can't imagine. Well, are you coming over later?” “I don't know how long I'll be here this is still a big mess. But if it's not too late, then yes...otherwise, I'll see you tomorrow?” “Yeah, okay...well I love you.” “I know...I love you too.” I give Lance a lot of credit. He worries about me in my line of work but he has to deal with the everyday face to face dirt of the world. People who kill people for no other reason than their own unhappiness. I never could understand how a parent could take their own child's life. My mother used to say 'I brought you in this world and I'll take you out' but it was a figure of speech. Nowadays folks really mean it.

  I guess Lance couldn't make it over last night. He left me a text saying he loved me and that he had to tell the families what happened. That couldn't have been easy. I decided to get my notes in order for my meeting with Mrs. Knight after work today. I had a hard job ahead myself. When I got to work my job board was a little unusual. April wanted me to mop the common areas and dust all horizontal services. I must be moving up in the world of cleaning. I made a bucket of warm soapy water and pulled it on it's wheels out to the main reception area. Jennifer was busy answering phones as usual. “Hello Max!” she said when she got a moment to catch her breath. “Hi Jennifer, how are you?” I asked. “I'm doing wonderful.” she said in a breathy voice. “It's Friday, and I'm ready for the weekend, my boyfriend is finally taking me on a weekend getaway.” she smiled. “Oh, nice, where to?” I asked. “He wants to drive up the coast to a little quaint bed and breakfast for the weekend. He's driving his convertible I hear the weather is supposed to be nice!” she gave a big smile and whipped her hair back. “That sounds like a of fun, you deserve it.” I told her. “You are so right I do deserve it!” she said smacking her gum. “I've been so patient with him and his situation, ya know?” “He's finally paying me some attention.” “I'm happy for you Jennifer. I hope you have a good time.”

  “Me too Max. You have any big plans for the weekend?” “Not really, my boyfriend and I will spend some time with his daughter.” “That sounds nice, I love children.” she said with a faraway look in her eyes. “I wonder if I will ever give Dave babies.” She shook her head fast. “Did I just say that out loud?” she said looking around nervously. “It's okay it's just you and me.” “Good, you know I'm not supposed to talk about him.” “I remember but that's so sad. I know you want to talk about your boyfriend and tell your friends about him.” I tried to edge her on. “You're right but that's exactly who I can't tell about him. He's married and people know him, he'd kill me if I told anyone.” “I understand.” “It's just that...” she started but her phone rang. “Sorry, hold on a sec.” “Knight, Hall and Hall, Jennifer speaking, how can I help you?” “Sure, just a moment please, I'll connect you.” “It's just that, I like him so much, ya know. I mean he's the kind of man that I could see myself being married to, giving him babies, having a family together. I'm really digging him.” I felt bad for her. She couldn't talk to anyone about him because he was married. She definitely couldn't talk to anyone here about him because he's married to the CEO of this company. Her boss...everyone's boss. I wanted to tell her but I would have to blow my cover in order to do that and I couldn't. She would have to find out on her own.

  The rest of the day went and having lunch with Verene became a thing. She talked about her son and told me that she and the girls parents had planned to meet over the weekend to discuss her pregnancy. I told her I hoped it went well for all of them. Even though I was functioning normally my mind was on my own meeting with Lucy Knight. This is my first official meeting with a client and I had nothing but bad news. I had to be completely professional and keep my personal thoughts and feelings to myself. This would be where I showed her I was earning the paycheck she gave me. When the day was done I decided to go home and get dressed in something more comfortable. I also gathered all the notes, pictures and photos I'd taken throughout the week. When I got to Burt's Tavern Lucy was sitting at the bar having a drink. Her hair was down and she was wearing a little more make-up than she was the last time we met. “Hello, Mrs. Knight.” I said. “Hello Maxine, please call me Lucy.” “Sure.” I smiled. She picked up her drink, purse and scarf. “Come on Maxine, I have a private sitting area back here.” I followed her to a small seating area that had a curtain. “This is where I bring some of my clients. You know, the ones who enjoy a good drink every now and then.” she told me with a wink.

  “So what do y
ou have for me?” she asked. “Well...” “Oh, I'm sorry, don't mean to be rude. Would you like a drink?” “Sure I'd love a drink...I'll have a red wine.” Lucy motioned to someone and then a short man with gray hair came over. “Hey Burt, this is a friend of mine Maxine Skye.” “Pleased to meet you.” he said reaching out to shake my hand. “She'd like a red wine please.” “Sure thing.” he said. When he came back he had a glass of red wine with cheese and crackers. “Thanks so much Burt.” When he left I took a sip of the wine and began pulling out the information I'd gathered. “I have a few things here that you may find interesting.” “Oh?” “My first day was very insightful. I was assigned to wash the windows at the beginning of the day. By the end of the day each area must be checked and cleaned when needed when everyone is gone home. I had the pleasure of cleaning the accountants offices. I started with Steve's. I didn't have time and didn't want to get caught going through his trash can so I dumped his trash and the contents of the shredder in a bag. I also checked the storage cabinet he has and in it I found a man's suit, a woman's dress, undergarments and shoes. I also found five manila folders with the initials LK-PERSONAL written on the tabs. “Hhhmmmm.” Lucy breathed. She took a big swallow of her beer and I continued. “As I was cleaning I noticed a trace of white powder on his desk so I collected a sample before cleaning it. I had it tested and found that it was cocaine.” “Oh my God! He told me he was in drug counseling!” she yelled. “He told me he had stopped cold turkey and wanted to clean up his act. I actually believed him and gave him another chance.” she said shaking her head. “The worst treatment comes from the worst people who can sometimes be your own blood. What a coward.” she said in disgust.