“So how’d you get that camera in the room without anyone noticing?” Kate asks. She’s stuffing her face with popcorn and watching the screen with rapt attention, missing her mouth with several pieces for each handful.

Kate is Evie’s best friend and the three of us were close friends in high school. Kate and I grew apart after I left for boot camp and I’m still adjusting to the outrageous, sexy, promiscuous woman she’s become. She’s beautiful and alluring with her perfectly constructed outfits, made up face, and blonde hair. I find her attractive physically, but I don’t want to. I don’t condone her slutty behavior and it’s my biggest turn off. The few times I’ve felt a connection since moving back are moments when she seems more like the girl I knew before. These don’t last long and are doused by the reality of the woman she is today.

Kate’s tenacity and gab skills are the reason we even gave this business of PI work a try in the first place. We’ve crowned her sort of an honorary member of the investigative team. Although she doesn’t work with us she often tags along to business meetings or helps out when needed. Without her savvy we would’ve never stumbled into this business. I owe her for that.

“It wasn’t too hard. I bribed the cleaning crew with forty bucks and they let me in the room a few hours ago.”

“Forty bucks? That’s it?”

“This place charges by the hour Kate. You can get a room for sixty bucks a night. I’m pretty sure murders have been committed in that room. The staff isn’t paid well enough to care.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right there. But how did you know what room they’d be assigned?” Her blue eyes flick back to the show.

“I’ve been tailing this guy for weeks and every Tuesday and Thursday while his wife attends community college he meets his mistress in the same room at the exact same time. Six o’clock in room nine.”

She pops another handful into her mouth. “Sixty-nine. Nice.”

“Yeah, a real romantic this guy.” I roll my eyes. More like disgusting.

“Some girls don’t want romance. Some just want a night of passion. I get that.” Kate grins.

“Yeah, I’ve no doubt.” Muttering I reach over to grab a handful of popcorn. Kate pulls the bag out of my reach.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Her voice is hard and accusing. I return her glare and wrestle the bag from her hands.

“You know exactly what it means. I get that you prefer the one night stand over anything meaningful. Maybe if you—”

“Children, enough!” Evie plays referee. I’m usually more polite with other people, but Kate gets under my skin and I can’t help but end up in an argument. Our attention is brought back to the screen as the chorus of shrill screams and grunts gains volume.

“Oh god! Oh god! Oh… yes! Yes! Don’t stop!”

“Is she faking?” I question the girls.

“Oh, she’s faking it.” Kate nods.

“Totally faking.” Evie agrees.

The couple on screen separates and Mr. Culler rolls to the side, working to catch his breath. His mistress stretches, running her claw-like nails up and down his chest. She licks his sweat covered heaving chest. “Hey baby, can you get it up another round?”

“Ha! See! Faking!” Evie laughs and points to the screen. I have all the intel and evidence I need to get back to Mrs. Culler who is planning on using it to extort an impressive settlement in their impending split. I don’t feel sorry this bastard doesn’t see it coming either. Good for her. I begin packing up my gear.

“Do you ladies want to join me for dinner and a beer? I say we celebrate the close of another successful case.”

“Oh yes! But no health food please… let’s go somewhere that’s sure to give me heartburn and indigestion.” Evie grins.

“How about your favorite pizza joint, Joe’s?”

“Oh god yes, you know me so well. It’s like you can read my mind.” She gushes and Kate and I laugh. The woman loves her pizza.

“Alright. I’ve gotta drop the van back by Fernando’s so I’ll just meet you there.”

“Tell me again how you ended up in a Fernando’s catering van?” Kate puzzles.

Evie pipes in to answer. “Oh, it’s one of the places Tate and I stop in to eat at from time to time and he knows the owners pretty well. They overheard me talking to Tate about needing to find a van for undercover work and we struck an agreement. They let us lease it for a fraction of the cost of purchasing our own vehicle as long as we only use it during the times they aren’t catering. Since most of their catering takes place during lunch hours it’s a sweet deal.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Plus we get free tacos and you know how I feel about free food.”

“Okay, ladies, I’m all packed up so unless you’re riding with me, out you go.” I reach over and pop open the back door before making my way toward the front. Evie and Kate jump out onto the pavement.

Kate shouts, “See you soon, Mr. Army!” before slamming the door shut. I hate when she calls me that. It’s like she’s mocking my choice to spend eight years of my life serving this county. I’m sure that’s not her intent but it grates on me every time she does. I’ve thought about telling her, but with the kind of relationship we have she’d probably just use the term more often.

I start up the van and put the gear into drive, making my way toward Fernando’s. I crank the local country station, indulging my guilty pleasure of a little Keith Urban while I drive. Singing along to the heartfelt lyrics puts me in a hell of a good mood.

This is the good life. As much as it’s sad to find proof of another man cheating on his wife, I’m coasting the little high I get from solving another case. Besides, it’s the stupid bastard’s choice to cheat on his wife of fifteen years, not mine, so kudos to me for finding the hard evidence.

The one thing I know for certain, from both my time in the Army and still young career as a PI, is that people make horrible and selfish choices in life when no one’s looking. People may seem to have it all together but everyone has skeletons hiding in their closets. Is it so wrong I enjoy shining the light on those deep dark secrets? I don’t think so and any resulting consequences from my part in exposure doesn’t weigh on my conscience. If people live honestly they won’t have these kinds of problems to begin with.

I pull into the lot of Fernando’s alongside my sleek black Ford F150. We have our own set of keys as part of the lease agreement so I climb into my truck and make the short drive to Joe’s Pizzeria. It’s an Arizona summer night, so even with the sun setting it’s hotter than hell outside. I’m glad my stake out in the van was short lived.

It’s a Wednesday evening and the parking lot at Joe’s is more barren than usual. This place is a total dive, but serves amazing pizza and wings. Evie insists we have at least one meeting a week here. She likes to argue it’s a good place to meet because hardly anyone ever dines in the place and it gives us the privacy we need while discussing clients. I suspect she just loves the pizza. Joe’s makes most of their money off of takeout and delivery, because understandably most don’t come here for the ambiance.

The girls have already commandeered the back corner booth when I walk inside. They are laughing, Evie telling Kate a story involving crazy hand gestures. I have to smile, I really am lucky to consider these two friends. I slide into the booth next to Kate as Evie finishes a story about Tate’s nephews. I pour myself a beer from the pitcher on the table and take a long cool sip.

“Hits the spot doesn’t it?” Kate grins, taking a drink from her own glass.

Joe comes by with a giant pizza, “The usual for my favorite customers!” he says in his booming voice.

“Aw thanks Joe, but I wonder if you say that to all your customers?” Evie bats her eye lashes with a grin, earning a deep chuckle from Joe. “Only the beautiful ones, my dear. Enjoy!” He shuffles back into the kitchen.