Deep Six -- Chapter 17

Sam McRae Mystery #4

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Before I packed it in for the day, I called Reed Duvall about doing the background checks on the group members. I’d just hung up with him, when the phone rang. I yanked up the receiver.

“Law offices,” I said.

“This is Zoe Weiss. I’m trying to reach Sam McRae.”

Zoe’s voice was lilting and soft. Such a welcome change from all the discord I’d encountered up to this point. So, despite my burning desire to get out the door, I dropped into my desk chair. “Thanks for calling. This is she. I was hoping to speak to you about why you decided to leave CASD.”

“Yes, I gathered that from your message. I’ll be glad to answer any questions.”

Thank God. “Is there a good place and time for us to meet? My office is in Laurel, but I’m willing to meet at a place more convenient for you.” Surely, I could find the time to meet with Zoe while performing other work on the case in Upper Marlboro, the county seat.

“Depends on my schedule. I’m a massage therapist. My clients usually come to my house, but I also have corporate and housebound clients, so I’m on the road, now and then.”

I glanced at my calendar. As it happened, I had a real estate settlement to attend in her area the following afternoon. “Will you be home tomorrow?” I asked.

“Sure. My first appointment’s at noon. Say ten o’clock?”

“Thanks. See you then.”

I grabbed my stuff and went home. I fed Oscar and changed into jeans and a T-shirt. I was in a rush, so dinner was a microwaved hot dog and a fistful of “salad in a bag,” topped with slices of dill pickle. I had no dressing, but I still had leftover chili con queso I’d brought home from Toucan Taco. It passed the smell test, so I nuked it along with the hot dog and drizzled it over my salad. Once the dog was done, I served it up between two pieces of wheat toast with lots of mustard and salsa, to complement the queso. Someday I’ll have to write a cookbook— “100 Meals Made With Condiments.”