“So now that you’re a hero and all, they no longer want to kick you to the curb? My, that’s generous of them.”
“Actually, it is.” I ignored her sarcasm. “I dreamed of working there after graduation. So it means a lot to me they would admit they were wrong and take me back. She knows she misjudged me.”
Sloan’s face genuinely lit up. “Then congratulations, really. I’m so happy you finally get exactly what you want.” Her voice lowered to a mumble. “Even if they don’t deserve you.”
“Thanks.” I met Sloan’s coffee mug with my own in a cheers motion. “Their only requirement was that I give up the sleuthing business, for good. They feel all the lying and mixing with shady characters is not exactly a good look for the practice. Can’t say that I blame them, really.”
I raised the coffee to my lips for a sip, slowly, keeping an eye on Sloan. She said nothing immediately, but I could’ve sworn I saw her begin to turn white. She bit her lip, thinking hard.
A long moment went by. Finally Sloan couldn’t seem to keep it in any longer. Her voice burst forth in a mix of outrage and disappointment. “You agreed to quit investigating?”
My reply was simple. “No.”
“Oh.” She stopped, confused. “So they gave in, then?”
“I didn’t try to argue.” I shrugged. “No point.”
“I don’t understand.” Her brow furrowed. “Then what are you telling me?”
I sat back, secretly pleased to watch her squirm for once. “I said they offered me the job. I never said I took it.” I took another sip, letting her stew a moment before continuing. “Look, as much as I thought I wanted to stay there, I just couldn’t do it. Someday—not today—I know I’ll want to help you with another case. With something. There’s no doubt. And even if I could get them to agree to let me do some snooping on the side . . . they would always be watching. Judging, somehow. They would never accept me or what I want to do, not really. And I don’t believe I would ever truly be free.” I shrugged. “So I turned them down.”
“Good for you.” Sloan grinned. “And me, I have to admit.” She picked up her coffee, finally relaxing again. “Freedom to live your life your own way. Invaluable. So now you just have to find another opening, I guess. Someplace that will mind its own business.”
“Yes, hopefully,” I said, my voice cheerful. “Although I’m honestly not sure where that is, at the last second.” I lowered my gaze, confidence beginning to wane. “And the money’s running out pretty quickly. Not to mention I’m about to be homeless.” Panic quickly pierced my optimism. “Oh gosh, who’s going to rent to me now?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” She brushed off my concerns with a wave of her hand. “So then, why don’t you forget all that and just open your own practice? Trust me, working for other people is highly overrated.”
“Ha!” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “I just told you I’m broke. Are you crazy?”
She was undeterred. “You don’t think you’d like that?”
“It’s a great thought, sure.” I shook my head, wistful. “That’s the dream, but it would be about a hundred years before I could afford something like that, if ever. My education was pretty much all on credit, so private practice is not exactly an option for someone like me. Besides, I’m not sure I’m quite ready to call my own shots.”
“I think despite all your hesitations, you are more than capable of making your own decisions. You made it just fine without your boss’s intervention.” She raised her eyebrows. “And mine, for a while there.”
I took a deep breath, thinking back on our adventure. Nothing had gone as planned, but I had been forced to make plenty of moves without anyone looking over my shoulder. I shrugged, trying to hide my grin. “Maybe.”
Sloan pursed her lips. “But just curious, how much are we talking here? What do you think it would take?”
“To open my own place?” I gazed back, suspicious. “Why?”
She shrugged. “Gotta have goals, right? And knowing is the first step.”
“Okay, I’ll play along. But I’m not sure exactly. All I know is it would be a lot of dough. Like, more than I’ve ever seen before, that’s for sure. Except maybe on my student loans.”
Sloan cringed. “Gotcha.” She slouched back in her seat. “Well, don’t worry. You’ll find something. It’ll just take time.”
We sat quiet a moment, sipping our coffee and listening to the din of the late lunch crowd. I tried to keep my thoughts on the possibilities just ahead. Despite all the recent obstacles, I was officially an audiologist. My career was about to really begin. And a fresh start was definitely in order.
Sloan suddenly sat bolt upright, as if startled. “Oh, right. I have a graduation gift for you.” She reached a hand to her bag next to her and returned with a long, thin white envelope. She slid it across the table. “Maybe this could help.”
I gazed skeptically at the envelope, then at her. What is she up to? Her deadpan face gave no clues.
Finally curiosity got the best of me and I took it. I opened it carefully and confirmed my suspicions. A check.
But not just any check. I stared at the amount, my eyes focusing and refocusing as I tried to process. It was a normal number, followed by zeros. Only it was many, many zeros. And the check was made out to me.
Oh, the things I could do.
I nearly choked as I tried to talk again. “Yes, I think that would go a long way toward a lot of things.” I stared down at the amount another moment, mentally saying goodbye. It was a good dream for a few glorious seconds. “But I’m certainly not taking your money, Sloan. That’s insane.”
“You’re right. That would be crazy.” She reached a finger to the top of the check. “But check the payer. It’s not from me. That’s your reward money.”
Could it be? My heart started pounding as the numbers on the check began to come alive. Becoming real. The zeros danced before my eyes, throwing a party of possibility.
My voice croaked as I looked back up. “Reward?”
“Vinny. The top guy you found and put away—”
“We,” I interrupted. “We put away. And it wasn’t even on purpose. It was all just to get you back.”
She threw her hands in the air. “They don’t care about intentions. He’s been wanted for years. That’s why he faked his own death, he was about to go down.” She grinned, her face beaming with delight. “And there happened to be a very large reward for his capture. This is your share.”
I finally let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I moved my trembling hands off the table. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”
Sloan shrugged. “Say you’ll consider using it to set up your own shop. Sounds like it’s just what you need. And now there’s nothing stopping you.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Unless you’re still scared.”
I was, no doubt about it. But exhilarated as well. I took another deep breath and shook my head. I couldn’t give up an opportunity like that for fear. I wouldn’t.
“Excellent, it’s settled then,” Sloan said, her sly grin making a reappearance. “You’ll be calling your own shots now. So I guess then there’s also nothing stopping you from embracing your other passion, too.” She wiggled her eyebrows, teasing. “Snooping with me.”
I raised a single eyebrow back at her, but I really couldn’t argue. My smile was in the way.
“On the side, of course,” she continued. “After hours. Ears, then snooping.” Her eyes brightened with an idea. “The sonic sleuth.”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “That’s just not gonna work.” I picked up the carafe and began carefully refilling our mugs, avoiding her eyes. Letting her squirm once more.
Finally I met her impatient stare. “It would have to be the sonic sleuths, silly.” I grinned back and affected my snooty voice. “Obviously.”
Sloan picked up her steaming cup and raised her chin, sticking her nose in the air. “Mmmm, true, true,” she concurred, feigning pretension. “Obviously, dahling.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carrie Ann Knox is an audiologist, writer, and longtime mystery lover. After finishing a clinical doctorate and opening her own practice, she began to indulge her other passion, crafting stories that appeal to those with a thirst for adventure, technology and mystery. She also enjoys curling up with her family, two Boston Terriers Gizmo and Zelda, and a good book in their home in southeast Virginia.
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