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“I just had a guy come in who wants me to look into the alleged affair of his best friend’s wife,” she said, taking a seat in front of her boss’s desk. “Only problem is…”

“You’re not a private investigator,” he said tersely. “You’re a reporter and so you have no business taking on clients and investigating their cases.”

“Yeah, that’s about the gist of it,” she admitted. She’d hoped Dan would be encouraging. That he would say, ‘Of course, Odelia—go for it! Investigate away!’ Instead he regarded her a little coldly. “So look, I didn’t want to take the case without discussing it with you first. So this is me, discussing it with you.”

“Well, we’ve discussed it,” said Dan, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers. “And I have to tell you I don’t think this is a good idea, Odelia. You’re not a licensed investigator… What happens if you get hurt in the course of this investigation? You’re not insured. You’re not protected. There are reasons why private detectives have to get a license and have to take out insurance. You can’t just go around pretending to be a detective like some overage Nancy Drew.” He must have seen the dismay she clearly felt for being called an overage Nancy Drew, for he suddenly softened, those harsh lines in his face smoothing out. “Look, I’m sorry,” he said. “I know that you’re an ace sleuth, licensed or not licensed, and I also know that your reputation is spreading through this community like wildfire, so more and more people will find their way to yourdoorstep—or your office door…” He paused, then seemed to relent. “Why is this guy—”

“Joshua Curtis,” she quickly supplied.

“Why is Joshua Curtis so eager to ascertain whether his friend’s wife is having an affair? What business is it to him? She’s not his wife.”

“He feels protective of his friend, I guess. He happened to find out that the guy’s wife is lying and now he wants to figure out what’s going on.”

“Why doesn’t he simply talk to her about it?”

“He’s afraid to. Afraid she’ll get upset. Also, he’s not sure.”

“I see.”

“So he figures if I dig around a little, and maybe snap a couple of shots, he’s got proof. And she won’t be able to dismiss him when he does finally confront her.”

“Okay, so suppose she is having an affair, and that you do get this… photographic evidence of these illicit fumblings behind her husband’s back. Then what?”

“Like I said, he’ll confront her with the evidence, and tell her that if she doesn’t stop the affair he’ll tell her husband.”

Dan thought about this for a moment.“Look, I know Joshua. And I know how close he and Jason Myers are.”

“You know these guys?” She shouldn’t have been surprised. Dan probably knew everyone in Hampton Cove. That’s what happened when you published a weekly paper for over forty years.

“Oh, sure. I remember when they were little, Jason used to get into all kinds of trouble, and Joshua would then try to get him out of it. They were like brothers, those two.”

“Still are, from what I understand.”

Dan leaned forward.“What surprises me is Melanie having an affair. She doesn’t seem like the type.”

“Do you have to be a certain type to have an affair?” asked Odelia a little ironically.

“Well, yeah, I think so. Take you, for instance. I can tell you for a fact that you will never cheat on your husband, and neither will your husband ever cheat on you.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” she quipped.

He quirked a bushy white eyebrow.“I’m being serious here, Odelia. It’s human psychology. You and Chase simply aren’t wired that way.”

“And Melanie Myers isn’t either?”

“I didn’t think so. Though if what you’re saying is true, then obviously I was wrong. Maybe my mischief radar isn’t as tuned as well as I thought.”

“So what do you think, boss? Do I take the case or not?” She eagerly awaited his response. She enjoyed these infrequent forays into the world of sleuthing, though if Dan told her to say no, she would. He was, after all, the boss. The guy paying the bills.

“Do you see a story in there?” he asked.

“Um…”

He shrugged.“Just say yes. If Melanie really is having an affair behind her husband’s back, maybe it’s a good thing that Joshua is watching out for his friend. If nothing else we can always use it for our Dear Gabi column.”

A wide smile spread across Odelia’s face. “Thanks, Dan,” she said, getting up. “You won’t regret it.”

“And get busy on that article about your wedding!” he called after her. “I want to see pictures of your grandma completely plastered and so does everyone else in Hampton Cove!”

Chapter 3