Read Online A Guilty Affair by Maureen Smith - Free Book Online Page B

We’ve got clients coming out of our ears, and with Daniela being on her honeymoon for a month, we’re really feeling the pinch.”
    Riley frowned. “I don’t understand. Are you asking me to fill in for Daniela?”
    â€œNot exactly. You have to be licensed to work as a private investigator in the state of Texas, and that process takes months. However,” she said, pulling out the printer tray, “there are things you can do while working under a licensed investigator.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œWell, you can help with online research, background checks, asset and court searches, missing person searches, serving legal papers. You could even help Noah and Kenneth conduct surveillances and install hidden videos to protect children from abusive babysitters. You could be, like, their apprentice.”
    Riley was intrigued, even as a germ of an idea began to take root in her mind. “You mean I can do all those things without a license?”
    Janie nodded, giving the printer one good whack with the flat of her palm. “You’d be really good at it, too. Being an investigative journalist who also specializes in law enforcement, you’re already familiar with a lot of laws and criminal codes. Plus you can probably do research in your sleep.”
    Riley grinned. “That’s definitely true.”
    â€œYou’d be perfect.” Janie gave a satisfied nod when the printer jam finally cleared. “I’ve got my hands full with the phones, scheduling appointments, doing the bookkeeping and payroll, maintaining the case-management system—not to mention a gazil-lion other administrative tasks that fall squarely on my shoulders. The fellas have divided Daniela’s caseload pretty evenly between themselves, but there’s only so much they can do, given the long hours they already work. They’d really benefit from having someone step in to help with a lot of the leg-work, even if only on a part-time basis.”
    â€œWhat do Kenneth and Noah think about all this?” Riley asked carefully.
    â€œI think it’s the best idea I’ve heard all morning,” Kenneth said, emerging from his office.
    Riley turned to see him smiling easily at her, hands tucked into his pockets as he propped a shoulder against the wall. “Janie’s right—although my brother and I have been too stubborn to admit it. We could really use some help.”
    â€œSo, would you be interested, Riley?” Janie asked hopefully.
    Before Riley could answer, Noah’s deep voice interrupted. “Interested in what?”
    Janie glanced over her shoulder as Noah appeared in the entryway beside his brother. “We may have found the solution to our staffing shortage,” she told him.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re looking at her,” Janie said with a nod toward Riley.
    Noah frowned, his dark eyes meeting hers. “Riley’s not a licensed P.I.”
    â€œShe doesn’t have to be for what we need her for,” Kenneth pointed out.
    â€œSo are you interested, Riley?” Janie asked again. “I mean, I know you didn’t take a leave of absence to come home and work, but if you’ve got any free time to spare—”
    â€œShe doesn’t,” Noah said through gritted teeth.
    â€œActually,” Riley said lightly, holding his steely gaze, “I do have time. As it turns out, I’m going to have plenty of time to spare. So, yes, I think I will take you up on your offer, Janie.”
    â€œGreat,” Janie said, grinning from ear to ear.
    For the first time since arriving in San Antonio, Riley felt a glimmer of hope that all was not lost. After the showdown in his office, Noah may have thought he’d seen the last of her. But as any savvy reporter knew, the key to landing a good scoop was persistence.
    Persistence was Riley’s middle name.

    The moment Riley left the building, Noah ground out tersely,