Maxine Skye, Private Eye Read online

  Maxine Skye, Private Eye

  Monique Malone-Smith

  LightningFastLiterature

  Dear Reader:

  Thanks for choosing Maxine Skye, Private Eye by Monique Malone-Smith. I am very excited that you have chosen my book for your reading entertainment. Maxine Skye is a very talented and determined young woman. She sees no limit to her potential and believes strongly in her faith. In the midst of trying to solve a case, she deals with her own personal drama. She knows that God can carry her through anything and she uses her faith, detective skills and intuition to solve a crime.

  I hope that you enjoy this book! Please look for my other work including Love Marriage Sex Murder and When the Devil Knocks.

  Yours Truly,

  Monique Malone-Smith

  Chapter One-God Sent Me a Client “Maxine Skye?” a woman caller on my phone. “Yes?” I answered her chugging down the glazed donut that I knew I shouldn't have. “My name is Lucy Knight of Knight, Hall and Hall.” “Oh, yes, I've heard of you. How can I help you?” “Quite simply, I am in urgent need of your services.” “Oh?” I said trying not to sound too excited. “Yes. Unfortunately, it appears that someone in my office has been stealing from my personal account. I have several off shore accounts that are used for personal expenses, travel and savings. There are only four people with whom I trust these accounts. Of course they all have denied any wrong doing. Although I have accountants to take care of my personal accounts, I still keep a close eye on them myself. I let it go for a while until I realized there have been transactions that total over $150,000 taken in small increments so as not to arise suspicion. When I asked these individuals about this they came up with reasons such as extra expenses that I incurred or some additional payments that needed to be made on my behalf or at my request. They even had documentation to support their stories. However, I am still not convinced. I didn't get to this point in my life by being a fool.” “Alright...so what is it that you'd like me to do?” “I'm told you just opened a private investigation service, correct?” “Correct.” “What I'd like from you is to help me figure out who has been stealing from me.” “Is there some place we can meet to discuss this in person?” I asked her. “Yes. I have a private office where I conduct business for my higher end clients in Clinton on 5th street.” “Yes I'm familiar with the area. I can meet you there in half an hour?” “That will be fine.” “Great see you then.”

  I sat there trying to keep my composure. I was ecstatic that finally, after four months of waiting, I had my first client. And a big one at that! Knight, Hall and Hall was a huge family owned law firm used by some big name celebrities. The fact that she chose me was a miracle. I always knew that I would be blessed with an opportunity to get my business off the ground. God came through in a major way! I finished my coffee and started a file in my iPad: Lucy Knight. I made some notes from the conversation we'd had, put on some lipstick and grabbed my keys. I wanted to make a great, professional first impression because I knew I only get one chance. It took me less than twenty minutes to get there due to light traffic. Her office was the last one in an industrial park. It looked to take up at least three other business spaces. I parked in one of the visitor spots. Walking inside I noticed that the grass was freshly cut and that the bushes were neatly manicured. There were clusters of tiny red roses along the walkway. Someone took the time to put an intricate design in the walkway with the name Knight engraved in each stone. It looked very impressive. Inside I felt the rush of cool air, a vast difference from the heat outside. The receptionist was a plump, red haired woman whose smile lit up the whole room. Her desk name plate read Pamela Huggins. “Hello, welcome to Knight, Hall and Hall. How can I help you?” she asked me. “Hello. My name is Maxine Skye, I have an appointment with Lucy Knight.” “Alright, I'll let her know you've arrived. Can I offer you a beverage while you wait?” “No but thank you.” “Please make yourself comfortable, she shouldn't be too long.”

  I took a quick look around before I sat down. There were three white leather couches along the walls. There were white leather chairs at each end of the couches. There was an extra large glass table in the center, and three smaller glass tables near the chairs. A massive picturesque window that overlooked a beautiful waterfall was the focal point of the room. There was also a large oil painting above one of the couches with three people in it. I recognized the woman as Lucy Knight. I had no idea who the men were. “Miss Skye?” “Yes.” I said standing up. “Hi, I'm Lucy Knight.” she said extending her hand. “Good to meet you.” I said shaking her hand. “Please come with me.” We walked together down a long, quiet hallway. She ushered me into the large office directly at the end of the hall and closed the door behind us. “Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice.” “No problem.” I smiled. So, like I told you on the phone, I'm having a problem with theft.” “I'm sorry to hear that.” I said sympathetically. “I really don't know who to trust at this point. Everyone is considered a suspect.” she told me. I took my iPad out of it's jacket. “Do you mind if I take notes?” I asked her. “No, no, of course not. Whatever you need to do.” I opened the file I started on her and added what she'd just shared with me as she continued.

  “Can I get you a beverage? She offered. “No I'm fine but thank you.” “I saw you were looking at my oil painting out front.” “Yes, it's beautiful. Obviously you are in it, but if you don't mind my asking, who are the gentlemen?” “My brothers Steve and John. Steve is the oldest, John is in the middle and I'm the youngest. This law firm was my father's baby. In fact we all thought he should never have had any children. He spent most of his time here, and hardly ever took vacations or spent any time with us. He missed most all of our childhood. I remember he missed basketball games, tennis tournaments, swim meets, plays, you name it. My mother had us involved in everything. Now that I'm older I realize she was trying to fill the void of my father by keeping us busy. She was a stay at home mom, she was great. She passed away of lung cancer a year ago. But one thing I knew is that she loved us.” I could see her tear up and she reached for a tissue. “I'm very sorry for your loss.” I told her fully understanding the pain of losing someone you love. “Thank you. My father provided very well for us and we always had the best of everything...just not the best of him. Anyway, he died two years ago after suffering from a brain tumor. He left his baby to my brothers and I and his literal dying wish was for us to run his business like he did. So, I've given up everything to run this business. I was, actually still, married to David Knight. “You mean David Knight of Knight Enterprises?” “Yes one in the same. We actually went to college together, it's where we met. He promised me when we graduated he would make me his wife and he did. But after my dad died and I took on this monster of a law firm I could no longer give him what he wanted which was a family. He said I cared more for work than him. It simply wasn't true I was just trying to honor my fathers request. Running a law firm involves a lot more than taking on cases and trying to win them.”

  “I understand.” I said. “Well David didn't understand and he moved out of our home a few months ago. He said this place was going to kill me one day and he wouldn't wait around to see it.” That's a cruel thing to say I thought. “Well long story short, my brothers' and I have been doing rather well. My father also requested that I be the CEO strictly because Steve, at the time, had a drug problem, and John was just too immature to properly run a law firm. I was married and a woman and he felt I was more grounded and better suited for the position. It went immediately into effect the day he died. My brothers have both resented me for it ever since. I hate to say it but everyone is a suspect.” “Can you give me the names of everyone who has access to your personal accounts?” “Well there'
s Heidi Blue, she's been with us for a year. She's an excellent accountant, very good at her job. She came to me fresh out of college and this is her first job.” As she named people I took notes on each one. Then there's Will Benning, he's been here for about two years. He's a friend of John's and I hired him as a favor when he was laid off from his previous job. He's also good and has not let me down, that I know of.” she added. “Last but not least there's my brother Steve. He's the head accountant and he asked for that position when we started this thinking it would be a piece of cake given his accounting background, but he was proven wrong.” “Where does John work?” I asked. “John owns his own music studio across town in Lakeville.” “He didn't want to continue on in the family business?” I asked. “He didn't like my father much and hated him more towards the end. He felt that dad should have been there for us and that he was too demanding. So he took his share of the money we were left and went his own way. He seems happy though, he's married to a young woman and they have two beautiful boys.”

  “Well it sounds like at least he's doing well.” I said. “Do you have anyone working here that you do trust?” “Me...I trust me.” “That's a good answer.” I said smiling. “That's the true answer.” “So how would you like to proceed?” I asked. “Well I was hoping you could give me an idea as to what the best option would be?” “Well I've been thinking about it as I was listening to you. It might be a good idea for me to come in as a cleaning woman. I would have a reason to go in and out of everyone's office without question. I would even have a reason to stay later in the evenings to check things out when I need to.” “Sounds good to me. When can you start?” “I can start as early as tomorrow?” “I use Klean Cleaners now, but I can let them know you'll be starting under my authority.” “Will that raise suspicion since they hire their own people?” “I've given them a lot of business as well as recommended a few folks to them so it will be fine. You will need to go over to their office on Maple Drive and get a uniform though. I'll set it all up, what size do you wear?” “Size twelve.” I told her. “As far as your payI'd like to pay you for your time as a cleaner. They make $14.50 an hour, is that suitable?” “Yes of course.” I told her. “They are paid weekly every Thursday so you'll be on their payroll. As for your private work for me, is $50,000 okay to start?” “Uh, yes...” I was shocked. I did not expect this much. I had never seen more than $5000.00 at a time. “If you need anything else please let me know, I believe in paying people well for the work they do.”

  “Thank you so much for this opportunity Mrs. Knight.” I said truly thankful. “Please call me Lucy, we're business partners.” she smiled for the first time since we met. “I have one more question for you.” “Shoot.” she said. “How did you hear about me?” “A friend of mine told me you could use some work and I had some work, so here we are.” “Well thank you again, I really appreciate it.” “I'd like to meet with you for weekly updates.” “Alright, which day will work for you?” “I usually like to wind down and relax on Friday nights. I sometimes go to Burt's Tavern after work to get a glass of wine. Burt is a good friend of mine.” “Okay well tomorrow is my first official day on the job. I'll stop by and pick up my uniform.” “Great, oh and the cleaners start at 8:00 am sharp.” she said handing me the check. “Alright I'll be there.” I told her. She walked me out to the lobby. It was still quiet as it was before except for the hum of the printer and the soft music that played from some where in the walls. “Thanks again.” I said and we shook hands. I was so excited on my drive home I couldn't contain myself any longer. I pulled over to the side of the road got out and did a holy dance. “Thank you Jesus!” I cried holding the $50,000 check I'd just received. I got back in the car and turned my cell phone back on. I had three missed calls all from Lance. I decided to call him back.

  Chapter Two-My Man Lance “Hi baby, what's up?” “What's up? What's up is I've been calling you and you haven't called me back.” “I'm calling you back now. Is everything okay?” “No not really.” “What happened?” “Keisha happened.” Oh boy I thought. “What did she do?” “She canceled my weekend with Lacey.” “Why?” “She said she's taking her to see her grandmother in North Carolina.” “She didn't know that ahead of your weekend?” “Yeah she did she just wants to make it hard for me to see her. This is the second goddamn time she's done this to me!” he yelled.

  Lance hardly ever raised his voice so I knew he was upset. “I'm on my way to you okay? We can talk when I see you.” “Alright.” I love Lance. We've been together almost three years and he is everything I ever wanted. I've dated some real losers but he is definitely the one to steal my heart. I wish I could have been the one to give Lacey to him but he had a life before me. Obviously it didn't work out for him and Keisha and she somehow blames me. She still wants Lance, the old baby mama song and dance, but he's with me now and she hates it. So he has to pay for it almost every time he wants to see his daughter, who by the way, is as sweet as pie. She's four and loves her daddy like crazy. I think I might even be growing on her a little. I wanted to share the wonderful news I had with Lance but I knew it wasn't a good time. His relationship with his daughter is very important to him and he wouldn't hear me anyway. I wish there was something I could do to help make things easier for him where Keisha was concerned but she couldn't stand me. As far as she was concerned I took her man and that was all she could see. She hated when Lacey spent time with us but I always tried to assure Keisha that I would never try to take her place. She always came back by telling me she knows I can't. So that is where we usually leave things.

  I decided to stop by the Klean Cleaners Company to meet the boss and pick up my uniform. They were about fifteen minutes from Lucy Knight. I knew they wouldn't know the real reason I was taking this job. So, I had to pretend like I was any new employee working as a cleaner. There was no one sitting at the front desk when I arrived so I rang the bell. After a few seconds I heard giggling but still no one. I waited and then rang the bell again. “Stop it Frederico!” I heard a woman's voice. Then suddenly a young woman came from an office behind the desk. She was a cute girl with a long black ponytail and bangs. She was wearing a Klean Cleaners uniform with a name tag that said Maria. Her uniform was the tightest I'd ever seen. I couldn't understand how she was comfortable in it. “Can I help you?” she said popping her gum and playing with her hair. “Hi, my name is Maxine Skye. I'm starting tomorrow at Knight, Hall and Hall and I need to pick up my uniform.” “Frederico!” she called looking me up and down. “What?” he yelled out. “Somebody named Maxine is here for a uniform.” “Oh yes! Yes!” he said. I could hear him getting up from a chair that was very loud and squeaked. He emerged from the same office door as Maria did. “Hi Maxine.” he said licking his lips. “I'm Frederico Rivera, I'm the owner here. I got a call from Mrs. Knight she told me you were coming.” “Yes, hi, nice to meet you.” I said holding my hand out. He extended his hand as well.

  “You're a size twelve right?” “Yes.” “Our shirts are small, medium or large. What size do you prefer?” “A medium is fine, thanks.” “Maria, go get her a uniform please.” Maria looked at me like she was about to pounce on me but didn't move. “Maria, go please!” Frederico said again motioning with his hand. She turned like a spoiled child and disappeared behind a bigger door. Frederico turned to smile at me. He was a short, heavy set man and slightly balding around the edges. He had big beautiful brown eyes and crystal white teeth. His was also wearing a Klean Cleaners uniform and his shirt was unbuttoned almost to his navel to expose his hairy chest. He wore his glasses on the top of his head and he pulled them down to read some company statements to me. When he was finished I signed the paperwork he gave me agreeing to be a model employee. “So...you're a very pretty girl. What made you want to work for a cleaning company?” he smiled at me. “I'll work where ever the money is, I'm not picky.” I told him. “What's wrong with being a cleaning woman?” Maria asked in a whiny voice. “Nothing...nothing Maria. Do you have the uniform?” She wal
ked over to him handing him a plastic bag with clothes on a hanger underneath. “Here you are Maxine.” he said handing me the clothes. “We'll see you tomorrow okay? 8:00 am sharp. Mrs. Knight does not tolerate lateness.” “Okay thanks again.” I told him. “Frederico you promised.” I heard Maria say as I walked out. Promised what I thought. Strange.

  “Hi honey.” I said giving Lance a kiss. “How are you?” I asked him putting my bags and purse down. “I've been better baby.” he said. “What's all this?” he asked pointing to the plastic bag I laid on the couch. “I have wonderful news!” I told him rubbing his shoulders. I decided to tell him anyway. Maybe I could cheer him up. “What?” he looked up at me. “This afternoon I got a call from Lucy Knight.” “Lucy Knight?” “Yes, Knight, Hall and Hall, the law firm in Clinton.” “Oh, yeah I think I've heard of them. They have that commercial on t.v. and a lot of celebrities use them, right?” “Yes, that's it. She called me this afternoon, she wants to hire me!” “That's great baby, but for what?” “Okay, so listen. She's the CEO of her family's law firm. Her father passed away and left the firm to her and her brothers. Anyway, she's having trouble with theft, someone's been stealing from her accounts. She hired me to find out who's doing it!” I said excitedly. “Good job baby!” he said giving me a high five. “I haven't even told you...well, better yet I'll just show you.” I walked over to my purse and took out the $50,000 check. “LOOK!” I screamed. He took it and I started doing a little dance. “Oh damn! I ain't never seen this much money in one place!” he said giving me a hug. “Plus, I'm also getting paid weekly for the cleaning gig.” “I'm so happy for you, congratulations baby.” he said more seriously. “Thank you.” “So, what are the details Ms. PI?” “Well, I'm going to work for the cleaning company she uses to try and find out some things that way.”