Whiskey Rebellion (Romantic Mystery/Comedy) Book 1 (Addison Holmes Mysteries)

it’s been a while since you’ve had sex.”
    “I don’t understand why relationships are so difficult for me,” I said. “I’m not hideous. And I’ve got a steady income.”
    “It’ll come, honey. When you’re not even looking for it. Don’t settle just because it’s something you want. You’d have been settling with Greg. Just look at me and Mike. I never wanted to get married, but then I almost shot him and he almost arrested me and then we fell in love and put the handcuffs to good use.”
    Mike had been a detective for five years when Kate went into the academy, so they hadn’t run in the same circles. They’d met by complete accident when Kate had caught Mike skulking around her apartment complex looking for a kid who’d just knocked over a liquor store. Only Kate didn’t know that. She’d thought he was a burglar and knocked him over the head with her Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. Mike had retaliated by taking her off guard when he regained consciousness and handcuffing her to the pipes on the outside of the building. The fireworks between them hadn’t stopped since.
    “I was over Greg the minute he cheated. I’m just looking for someone fun. Someone that I can talk to and relax with and have crazy sex with. I’m sure you’re right. When my soul mate comes along I’ll know it.”
    “Which is why I’ve set up a date for you tomorrow night,” Kate said. “He’ll be by to pick you up at seven. Wear something slutty.”
    “I don’t want to go on a blind date. Who did you set me up with? It’s not Mike’s cousin, is it? Because I really don’t think we’ll suit. He’s an infant.”
    “No, it’s not Mike’s cousin. It’s a surprise. Just be ready at seven and keep an open mind.”
    “Oh, yeah, that sounds promising.”
    I polished off the rest of my brownie and remembered why I had come to begin with. “Speaking of cheating bastards, look at the photos of Barry Crumb. I caught him red-handed, so to speak.”
    I handed Kate the camera and sat back with a satisfied smile on my face, my feet propped up on the corner of her desk. All was right in the world of justice.
    “This is such a cool job, Kate. I have to thank you for giving me the chance to do this. It kind of takes the pressure off of my life to see how crappy everyone else’s is.”
    “These are good shots. It’s enough to give to Mrs. Crumb anyway. I’ll leave it in her hands what she wants to do about it though. Who are you going after next?”
    I decided not to mention that I’d already broken the rules by having Victor Mooney keep an eye on John Hyatt. Kate wouldn’t understand my reasoning. What I really needed was a partner. It was hard to be in two places at one time.
    “I’ve still got open files on Gretchen Wilder, John Hyatt and Harry Manilow. The Wilder file seems pretty interesting. From its size it looks like she’s been a client for awhile. You’d think her husband would want to save the money he spends hiring you and just file for divorce. She’s obviously not going to stop having affairs.”
    “Neither one of the Wilders are going to stop having affairs. They keep us on retainer to photograph each other with different partners. And the more graphic the picture the better. Apparently it’s their version of foreplay.”
    “So why am I even wasting my time if we know for sure she’s cheating?”
    “Because they pay us an exorbitant amount of money to provide the proof for them. We’re not marriage counselors or divorce attorneys. We just do what we’re paid to do.”
    “People are weird,” I said shaking my head. “That takes all the fun out of it for me.”
    We both paused in our conversation at the knock on the door, but it opened before Kate could invite whoever was on the other side in.
    “Looks like I missed out on the brownies,” Nick sa id as he put a stack of files on Kate’s desk. “Maybe I could talk you into making me some more since I was so nice to you last night.”
    I took my feet off the desk and tried to give the appearance that I could be somewhat ladylike when the situation demanded. I didn’t trust the look in his eyes.
    “That sounds like a fair trade. Thanks again for your help.”
    I could be nice when I wanted to be. It’s just that there was something about Nick that made me want to be contrary.
    “I’m out of here, Kate. ” I grabbed my coat off the rack and shrugged it on. “I’ve got the Wilders to satisfy.”
    “Remember, the juicier the picture