Was there no chance of a truce between the sleuth and the shrew? If ethics weren’t an issue, Babs would’ve preferred to pin Leo’s theft on Ouida as a plot to get back at her husband for infidelities, real or imaginary, and not spending enough time with her and their daughter.
The following day would get worse. Babs arrived late to work, carrying a box with Ouida’s torn dress and bearing the torture of a wretched hangover.
“Did anyone call?” she asked.
“Basil did. Three times.” Guy buried his attention inside his paperwork. “He said to respond in a hurry before his wife returned. What’s been going on between the two of you? Was he your mystery date?”
“It’s not what you think.” She closed her office door and called him back.
“Basil, it’s Babs,” she said in a hushed tone. “What’s so urgent?”
“If I want my marriage to survive, I’ll have to call it quits.”
“Have you given up hope?”
“I’ll continue whatever I can on my own to find Leo and see what city officials can do, but any association between your agency and I must cease. If it’s any consolation, I’ll send you one last gratuity. You’ll do fine without me fulfilling the role of Sherlock Holmes.”
“What about Ouida’s gown? I planned to take it over to my favorite dressmaker—”
“Don’t bother. Throw it out.”
“Then I can’t take your payment.”
“Suit yourself. Tear up our contract and forget we ever met. I don’t want it dug up as evidence if my wife decides on filing for divorce.”
“She—what?”
All Babs heard next was the dial tone.
Babs propped her head in her hands. She and her partner were so focused on other matters that they never got to question anyone who might have leads about the dogs who disappeared from the Beverly Hills Dog Show. Too many details. So little time. She needed to hire a larger staff. What now?
Guy entered her office, holding a cheesy gossip tabloid. On its cover: a photo of Babs assaulted by Basil’s wife, with Basil, Powell, and Loy as onlookers.
“Care to explain?”
Babs ripped it from his grasp and examined it closer. “Lordy, I wasn’t even aware someone took our picture.”
“You didn’t see a flashbulb go off?”
She heaved a heavy sigh and shook her head. “Not if my eyes were closed. Ouida threw champagne in my face.”
“I’m surprised that got past the publicity police force over at MGM. The indomitable Mr. Strickling is going to have to pay mucho dinero to make sure the photo doesn’t wind up anywhere else. Perhaps you and I need a break from each other for a while. As it is, I always need to protect my social reputation. Others jump to conclusions about my personal life. I don’t need additional complications.”
“Guy, stop being paranoid.”
“I have more to lose than you. One of these days, I hope to land the role of a lifetime.”
“Then you’ll quit my agency, anyway.”
“Maybe…maybe not, but nothing’s on the horizon now. That could be a long way off, if ever.”
Babs took another deep breath. “All right, you’re jealous I got into a fancy star-studded party and didn’t invite you. As business partners, we’re supposed to do everything together, or as much as possible, given the circumstances. Yet, you refuse to hear my side of the story.”
He stood resolute, hands in his pockets, and biting his lip.
“Confess, Guy—you know I’m right.”
“Babs, you’re incompetent. You didn’t think things through by accepting Basil’s invitation. I could bet dollars to donuts you didn’t ask around about those missing dogs. No, you took the evening off, had a grand ole time, let the booze go straight to your head, and wound up in a fight with our client’s intolerant wife.”
“Guy, what if someone set me up?”
“Consider this my resignation. Unless you need it in writing.” He made an about-face and paraded into the anteroom.
If he was that shortsighted—good riddance. Part of her wanted to chase after him, but her head ached from last night’s champagne. She needed a more understanding partner, someone sympathetic. What happened to her sidekick? Her bosom buddy? Was this all it took to sever their trusted friendship?
Guy packed in a hurry. He tossed his office key on his desk before heading out and left her speechless.