The Pink Sneakers Club: Sometime Around Midnight. Christian Bertoni

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      “You sure?” I said. She nodded. We started to leave when she said, “wait. How much do I owe you?”

      I started to say, “Oh Mrs. Myers don’t wor-“ Natalie elbowed me in the ribs and gave me a stern look.

      “It was twenty-five dollars.” Natalie said.

      “Oh yes that’s right.” She pulled out her wallet from her purse and handed me the money, I noticed her slender fingers covered in very expensive diamond rings. They looked like big rocks. In case you’re wondering the Myers are loaded.

      “Here you go.”

      “Thanks.” I said.

      Natalie chimed up, “it’ll be $250 for us to start looking into the death of your cat. In advance, you know expenses.” This time it was my turn to give her a look.

      “What are you doing?” I whispered through gritted teeth at Natalie.

      She shook her head and mumbled. “Not here.”

      “No problem.” Mrs. Myers got out her checkbook, “check okay? Or do you ladies prefer cash?”

      “Cash. Check. It doesn’t matter.” Caren said.

      “Check it is. Whom do I make it out to?”

      “The Pink Sneakers Club.” Deirdre said.

      “That’s such a cute name. Why the pink sneakers club?” as she asked that question she turned around and took one look at our feet, “oh. Now I know. Here you go.” She handed me the check.

      “Thank you Mrs. Myers. I’ll let you know as soon as we find out.”

      “Please. Sam was Mr. Myers’ cat. He named her. Although I don’t know why since she’s really Samantha the fourth.”

      “The fourth?” I asked.

      “Your other cats were named Samantha as well?” Deirdre asked.

      “Yes.”

      “Weird.” Kaye said.

      We left and were heading back to my house when I turned to Natalie, “what are you doing?”

      “What are you talking about?”

      “You’re taking advantage.”

      “How? By asking for the money you were willing to forfeit because you feel bad for her?”

      “Yes!”

      “It’s not like she can’t afford it. Didn’t you guys see those rings on her fingers? Wow, that’s a lot of bling.” Caren said.

      “Are you saying that we should work for free when it comes to people we know? Cause the way I see it we now know everyone.” Natalie said.

      Kaye jumped in. “Randi, she’s right.”

      “The second pretty one is right.” Caren said.

      “We need- wait, what do you mean second pretty one?” Natalie questioned.

      “I thought it was clear. I’m pretty. You’re almost as pretty but second only to me. That’s all. It was a compliment.”

      “Listen –“ Natalie started in.

      “You’re both pretty. Now shut up!” Kaye shouted.

      “Okay now you’re just being rude.” Caren said sounding offended.

      I said. “Can we get back to the subject at hand? Since when do we get paid up front for services we haven’t done?”

      “Look, it takes money to do an investigation.” Natalie said.

      “But you’re taking advantage of her.” I said.

      “How? We’re going to do the investigation.”

      “We haven’t done anything and you want to get paid.”

      “Why not? I’m not taking advantage of her. I plan to find out who killed her cat. Are you?”

      “Yes!”

      “Then nobody’s taking advantage. There’s nothing wrong with asking for the money upfront.”

      “She’s right again.” Kaye said.

      “Whose side are you on?”

      “No one’s. But if we’re going to be a business then we have certain things we need in order to start an investigation and sometimes that requires money upfront. That’s all.”

      I looked at everyone. “Do you all feel this way?”

      There was a resounding, “yes.” from everyone.

      “Okay,” I raised my hands in defense, “fine. So where do we start?”

      “You tell us.” Kaye said.

      “Me? Why me?”

      “Really? This is your field.” Deirdre said. “Mine is science . . . yours is police work. We follow your lead.”

      “Okay. Let’s go inside and we can brainstorm.” I said.

      My mom made her special chicken salad with big chunks of chicken, cabbage and pine nuts. We ate while discussing what to do. Oh, before I forget right now my mom is our bookkeeper. She handles all the money. Right now including what Mrs. Myers paid us we have $370. We are moving up!

      “Where’s your brother?” My mom asked.

      “I don’t know. He’s not here?”

      “No. He went to play with some friends.”

      “Eh, no biggie he’ll come home when he’s hungry. He always does.”

      “I’ll let you girls talk.” She left the room and went to watch T.V.

      “Okay where were we?” I said.

      Deirdre said. “We were trying to figure out who could’ve killed Sam.” She continued, “what kind of person would kill a cat?”

      “Something I’ve been processing.” I hesitated.

      “Go on.” Natalie pushed.

      “I think Mrs. Myers knows who killed her cat. I think she doesn’t want to admit it.”

      Natalie chimed in. “So why bother asking us to find out?”

      Deirdre answered. “I think she wants a second opinion.”

      “Exactly.” СКАЧАТЬ