Chapter Fourteen
“Mr. Jamison, I’m glad you could join me.”
“When one of my most important clients calls and asks me to meet her for a drink, how can I say no? How are you, Miss Lindstrom?”
“I’m fine, Eddie. How are you?”
“Busy, fortunately very busy,” the man replied.
“Ah, then you haven’t been hurt by recent cutbacks?”
Edward Jamison chuckled. “Whether times are good or bad, there are always cheating spouses. So yes, business is good, thank you.”
“What are you drinking, Eddie?”
“Just a sparkling water for me, thanks.”
“Ah, I forgot. You never drink when you’re working. I take it you have a job tonight?”
“Yes.” That’s as much information as Edward Jamison would share about one client with another. “What can I do for you, Miss Lindstrom?”
Eddie had been sitting at the other end of the bar, watching her, for ten minutes. He’d already ascertained that there was a man involved. He also knew whatever her business was, it was personal. Over the years he’d become quite familiar with the signs of a woman scorned and Miss Lindstrom was wearing them like an overcoat. Stephanie Lindstrom had hired him on a number of occasions, generally to investigate the spending habits of new employees and potential partners, sometimes clients. Her father had introduced them. He and Jamison had maintained an association for many years. Usually Stephanie would meet with him discreetly in her father’s office during business hours, occasionally over lunch at an out of the way place, if it was more convenient for her. He’d never before met her in a bar at ten o’clock at night. It had never occurred to him he would do so. He assumed her father wouldn’t know anything about this particular business arrangement.
“Do you know Gabriel Abbott?” she asked without preamble.
Eddie took a sip of his sparkling water. “I’ve never met the man, but I know of him. He’s the head of Abbott Industries, primarily a charitable foundation and the owner of Gabriel Vineyards. If I remember correctly, his wines have won several notable awards. He seems to be quite adept at making money.” Eddie paused for a moment. “He also has a bit of a reputation as a ladies’ man.”
“I’m interested in his background,” Stephanie said, and Eddie noticed that her voice was carefully neutral, “Where he comes from, his family, who he’s seeing, if anyone. Skeletons in his closet… that sort of thing.”
“May I ask why, Miss Lindstrom? In case there’s something specific I should be looking for?”
“It’s simply a business matter,” she replied. “I just like to know who I’m dealing with.”
Yeah, and I’m the Easter Bunny, thought Eddie Jamison. A business matter can be handled over lunch.
“Where and when would you like me to start?” he asked.
“Would tomorrow be too soon? Perhaps start with his current associates? I understand he’s hosting a party tomorrow at his home in the Napa Valley. I’ll pay you double your usual fees if you can have the information for me by the end of the week.”
Dumped for another woman and Stephanie Lindstrom wants a name. “Unless he’s keeping some deep, dark secrets, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Stephanie gave him her hand. “Thanks, Eddie. I knew I could count on you. And I know I can count on your discretion.”
In other words, thought Eddie, don’t tell my father. “Of course. Always. I’ll get back to you soon. It’s very nice to see you again, Miss Lindstrom. Thank you for the drink.”
“Bye, Eddie.”
“Goodnight, Miss Lindstrom.”
Eddie left the bar and walked to his car. The job would be a piece of cake. From what he knew about Gabriel Abbot, he was on the up and up. He had nothing to hide. Stephanie didn’t give a shit about the man’s background, she wanted the name of whomever he was banging. Eddie shook his head. Women. Couldn’t just take no for an answer. Especially an ambitious woman like Stephanie Lindstrom. Eddie wondered exactly how tight she’d gotten with Abbott before he’d dumped her. He’d bet good money it wasn’t very tight. Abbott wasn’t really on Eddie’s radar because he didn’t poach on married women, but from what he’d heard about the man, he stuck with a woman for a few weeks, maybe a month or two, and that was it. Stephanie Lindstrom obviously assumed she would be the exception. Eddie guessed she was mistaken. Well, he’d do his job, he’d collect his money, and that would be the end of it.