I received a call later that day from Eric, asking me if I had had a chance to review the information about the derivatives investment. He also explained to me that our murder victim, my friend Carl, had worked for the derivatives fund. I told him that I didn't have an opportunity to read anything that he had given me or to even look at the man's name on his card. He told me that I really should read through the material as quickly as possible because the guy was going to be at Delmar tonight for dinner and that I was cordially invited as well, Eric's treat. I should also bring along Imogen as she might be able to talk some sense into me once she heard what he had to say. I agreed and told him that we'd be there and that we were looking forward to it.
The only reason I was willing to attend was that the derivatives guy must have known Carl. And if he knew Carl then he might be able to help in some way.
"My love," I called, after hanging up the phone. "Imogen."
I waited a second. Nothing. I didn't have the energy to shout, so I stood up and walked over to Imogen's office. When I got to her office door she was sitting at her desk staring at her computer.
"I heard you," she said.
"Then why didn't you answer?"
"I wanted to see how long it would take you to walk over here."
"And how did I do?"
"Surprisingly well. I had the over-under at five minutes. Took you less than one."
"I'm a man of many surprises."
"You're more like a work in progress," she said.
"On that note," I said.
"Surprise me," Ginny said, interrupting me.
She makes me laugh sometimes.
"I'm trying to."
"Try harder," she said.
"Ginny, let me finish."
"This better be good," she said.
"We've got dinner plans," I said.
"That's your surprise?" she asked.
"Well, it started out more like just news a couple of minutes ago. I don't know how we got here," I said.
"So, we've got dinner plans. Brilliant. With whom?"
"Eric and Shannon," I said.
"Let me guess, at Delmar," she said.
"Yes. At Delmar."
"This is getting worse by the moment," she said.
"It's about to get a little worse, more worse, anyway, not better," I said.
"What just happened there?" she asked.
"I don't know. Anyway, Eric's bringing someone who used to work with Carl."
"That's a step in the right direction," she said.
"The guy is also looking for us to invest in some sort of derivatives fund," I said.
"Bloodsucker," she said.
"Let's reserve judgment on him until we meet him. Maybe he can help."
"Oh, I'm sure he can as soon as I pull out my checkbook," she said.
She had a point.
"You might like what you hear," I said.
"Unless he holds the answers to Carl's death and Alese's death threats, I doubt it very highly," she said.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" I asked, trying to change the timbre of this exchange.
"I'm quite sure you haven't told me today," she said.
"Well, let me tell you right now. Very much. That's how much," I said.
"And you'll love me even more for attending dinner with you tonight," she said.
"You're a wonder, my love."