Death By Sugar. Helen Goltz
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Ren likes to keep it neat for the ladies. Says they appreciate it.'
'We do,' I nodded.
'Not that he's ever cleaned a day in his life.' Vince dropped down on the couch. I took that as a clear sign tea or coffee would not be forthcoming. 'Ren's mother cleans every second day and does his washing and ironing.'
I had a new picture of Renzo in my mind. He'd become less of an Italian Stallion and more of a mummy's boy.
Vince folded his arms across his chest. He looked like a bad-boy with the tatts running from his neck down his right arm, but his features - dark brown eyes and long lashes - weren't unattractive. I could see how he might scrub up okay with a woman's touch. But right now he was clearly slumming it. He gave the impression that he wasn't going to be outsmarted, least of all by a female PI. Within the first ten minutes of the interview he told me that he bought all his clothes in Europe, had a passion for sports cars and was linked to the right people if I needed anything. How handy! It appeared to be important to him to impress me.
He sat back and spread out his hairy arms along the back of the white leather lounge. Vince and Ren were like chalk and cheese. It must be hard to play second fiddle to a best friend who was always going to catch the girls' eye first. Hmm, possible motive?
'So what do you want to know?' Vince put his feet up on the frosted glass coffee table. Size ten runners. I stored the detail away. You never know what you'll need later.
'How long have you known Ren?'
'Since we were in the womb! Our mothers were pregnant at the same time. We went to the same primary school, high school, scout group, soccer club, you name it.'
'How come you're staying here?' I asked.
'Broke up with my girlfriend and moved out. This is just temporary until she takes me back.'
'She'll come to her senses,' I agreed.
'You single?'
'No.' I nipped that in the bud. 'Do you know of anyone who would want to threaten Ren?'
Vince looked up at the ceiling while he was thinking. He took his time.
'Nuh. Can't think of anyone,' he answered.
Well that was worth the wait!
'What about at his work? Has his restaurant put anyone out of business? Do you know if they've dropped a long-term supplier, that kind of thing?'
'Nuh, not that he's mentioned to me.'
'Could he have aggravated an ex-girlfriend?' I persisted.
'Nuh.'
'Ex-boyfriend?'
'Nuh.'
'Partner of an ex-girlfriend?'
'Nuh.'
'Business partner?'
'Nuh.'
'Enemy of his father?'
'Nuh.'
'Family enemy like the Capulets?'
'Who?'
'You know, like in Romeo and Juliette.'
'Never saw it.'
'Loan shark?'
'Nuh.'
Vince was a wealth of information.
'Who else does he hang out with?'
'Besides me,' Vince thought again. 'there's Benny. He and Ren are pretty tight.'
'What's Benny's story?'
'He's alright. Married. Stack of kids.'
'How did he meet Ren?'
'College, I think. They both did hospitality management or something like that.'
'Anyone else?'
'He's got a few buddies he plays soccer with. There's a different girlfriend every week. He's like a magnet.'
'I'm sure.'
'You know, you look a bit like my girlfriend, uh, ex - same sort of hair.'
'Yeah?' I tried to sound pleased.
'Yeah. She's a looker.'
'Well, thanks. Uh, what's your girlfriend's name and number?'
Vince looked at me with surprise written all over his face.
'Why? Do you think she's involved? How could she be involved?' he smirked.
'I'm not saying she blew up the car, but stranger things have happened,' I said. I meant to think it to myself. 'I wouldn't mind speaking with her because she's probably observed Ren around you and may have a different perspective.'
He shrugged.
'I guess.' He rattled off her name and number.
'You can tell her that I'm doing just fine and not even thinking about her,' Vince added.
'I'll be sure to,' I assured him.
My phone rang. Bless you, Ed.
'Listen, I've got to take this. Thanks for your time, I really appreciate it. I'll see myself out.' I was at the door before I had finished the sentence. I would have been in the car if I could move quicker in heels.
'No problem. May see you again, hey?' He said at the door. 'Ren got your number, in case I think of anything?'
'He sure has,' I smiled, hoping he'd forget about me. I reached the elevator and answered the phone.
On the way down, I reviewed what I got from Vince: nothing!
CHAPTER FOUR
'I can't talk until I have a drink in front of me!'
My best friend, Melanie Davies, sat back and folded her arms. Her blonde hair was tied back and her red linen suit was crushed from wading over client's financial statements all day. Melanie always had a touch of the theatrics about her.
'What, not a word?' I teased.
'Okay, I guess I can fill you in on my love life until the vodka arrives: it's non-existent. Yessss!' She barely waited for the waiter to place her drink on the table before raising the glass and taking a sip. She sat back.
'That's better. You're looking good,' she noticed I was there.
'I darkened my hair.'
'It makes your eyes look bluer. Does Dom like it?'
'Don't be silly, he hasn't even noticed.'
'Men. Speaking of which, why are we here?' Melanie glanced around. 'Not that I'm complaining, I like Italian food.'
'Research,' I told her.
'Italian cooking or Italian men?'
'Good grief! Do you think of anything else besides eating and men?'
'Of course. There's shopping.'
'Work research,' I steered her back on track. 'The owner is a new client.'
'Really? This joint's been here for ages. Why have they decided to do some marketing now?'
'No, he's hired a private investigator!'
'Who?'
'Me! Mel, get with the program. He's hired me to investigate for him.'
'Oh!' Her eyes widened. 'Sorry, I'm scatty this evening. Let's start again. So what's he got you investigating, is he good looking and does Dom know?'
'His car blew up, yes and yes.'
She nodded. I could see her thinking through the questions.
'What sort of car?'
'Mercedes.' I couldn't remember the model and didn't think Melanie would care anyway.
'Nice.