The girl again grabbed a glass of water and drank, firmly clasping around him beautiful long fingers with pearly nails. She could not face the detective story, and she spoke through force, obviously believing that she was telling all this only because she simply had no other way out.

“I’m afraid of him ... because ... sometimes it seems to me that he’s not at all what he pretends to be in front of me and my family. The father does not notice this ... he literally worships him, so all my complaints, criticism, and doubts are thrown away and accuse me of stupidity, infantilism and short-sightedness. Only I know that sometimes he can change so much that it seems as if there are two different people in front of you ... One is intelligent, benevolent, open, honest. The other is a brazen, brutal bastard who will stop at nothing. I'm not sure that I can still feel the edge of his permissible behavior towards myself ... I'm scared ... After the wedding, he will surely show himself completely ...

She suddenly burst into tears, hastily smearing tears on her cheeks, like a little offended girl. Vlad opened his mouth to say something, but for some reason he was silent, somewhat confused. For a while he watched how tears fill her eyes, making them more expressive and beautiful, and how her seductively sensual lips tremble with helplessness and despair. The detective got up, walked over to the window, and patiently waited for her to calm down a bit.

“Ludmila, I do not work with such frank crime,” he finally said dryly. For the first time in his life, he regretted uttering this phrase.

- But ...? - the girl threw him a short confused look.

“I don’t have such experience and necessary connections,” he added much softer. - You can check your fianc's current business without problems, as well as his intimate life on the side, but searching for evidence on the maintenance of dens and forcing minors to engage in prostitution is not my profile. Usually, interference in such cases entails certain consequences ... Besides, as I understand it, all this is a matter of bygone days.

“Perhaps it just costs more than standard services ...,” she worried. - I have money. How many will need ... My father is a very wealthy person and does not refuse me anything.

“You don't quite understand me.” There are specific features and serious risks ... even more for you than for me, ”he admitted reluctantly.

- So you refuse? - in her voice came the notes of despair.

Vlad was silent.

“I see,” the girl sneered, wiping away the last tears and taking herself in hand. “I knew that all this was useless.” Just a friend persuaded. She said that you are a first-class specialist, and you can be trusted.

Vlad noticed that her chin was still trembling.

- Lyudmila ... I will tell you frankly what I think ... You are getting involved in a too dangerous business, if your fiancé is exactly who you think he is ... You think he will so easily allow himself to be revealed or removed from your hands by interfering with secrets of his past?

“But the detectives are working secretly, right?”

- Of course. But what if you give yourself away? Or will your father give you away when you tell him everything?

- So what do you advise?

- Catch him with treason and perversions. I think this will be enough to convince a loving father to abandon such a dubious party for you. He would hardly want to advertise such secrets of his daughter’s personal life, but the engagement would be terminated.

- I dont know...

- Perhaps you want to take revenge, and not just upset the future wedding ... Then another thing. I am sure you can find experts who will be engaged in this investigation.But once again I advise you not to make a serious challenge to the person involved in such crimes. This is usually fraught. I have no right to persuade you. I just have to warn you.

- Good. I understood - Lyudmila frowned.

- In this case, think about what you still want. If you intend to go to the end, then I am afraid I will not be able to help you. If you agree to heed my advice, then I am ready to offer you my services.

- And ... Do you personally take up my business? Will not you connect anyone?

- I assure you that what you have told me will remain only between us two. And ... one more piece of advice ... Do not dedicate your friends to all this ... Do not share details with anyone at all ...

“I already told her too much ...”

- Okay. What is done is done. In that case, tell her that I refused to work with you ... or that I did not suit you and you generally decided not to contact any detective agency. This will save you from unnecessary questions in the future.

- Well, - obediently and a bit dumbfounded Luda mumbled. Sure, even in some places the impudent tone of the detective inspired in her, if not trust, then at least the need to obey the will of an experienced specialist. The obsession of a friend and she herself was a burden.

Vlad sat back on the sofa in front of his client, leaning his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands in the lock. Luda cast a fleeting glance at his beautiful long fingers, well-groomed nails, white gold signet ring and expensive elegant watch on a leather strap with a black dial without numbers. From under the strap on the skin acted the edge of a colored tattoo.

“Well ... then we will discuss the details and sign the contract,” continued Vlad. - I need his personal data, coordinates of the place of work, place of residence, rest and other places of stay, as well as at least an approximate day schedule ... numbers of cars, phone numbers, in general, everything you know about him.

“I already feel like a traitor and a criminal in advance ...” she smiled sadly.

- You protect your interests.

- And ... how can you do all this? - suddenly she asked with some reproach. - After all, all this is illegal and immoral ... shadowing, eavesdropping, covert shooting ... Do you ever suffer from conscience?

- I always adhere to professional ethics - I am faithful to my clients. For the rest, yes - this is often a dirty job. Nevertheless, I prefer to believe that all this is done for good. As, for example, in your case, - the detective gave her a modest smile a la "good guy."

Such conversations were not new for Vlad, so he knew how to pretend to be the noble savior of all offended and desperate on occasion. Some even liked teasing him about this topic, and he got used to parry with dignity. However, Luda asked quite sincerely. “A naive spoiled girl, still believing in such fictional notions as honor, conscience, loyalty, love, nobility, but already faced with the first betrayal, hypocrisy and cruelty. Either there will be ... "- Vlad sadly thought to himself.

If his words were not impressed, then people were intrigued. For some reason, she was sure that he would begin to make excuses and lie, but his answer seemed honest. It somehow bribed. Then she first looked into the detective eye. They were light brown, almost golden, attentive, penetrating and mocking. It was exactly the look you expect to meet with a person who is used to dealing with other people's secrets. In combination with an amazingly beautiful face, a neat haircut, a trimmed figure and a very decent, tastefully chosen suit, this look could embarrass any young lady who is not without sensuality. Luda often blinked, feeling her cheeks and ears catch fire, and the man, meanwhile, continued to scan her from head to toe - calmly, shamelessly and evaluatively. She suddenly remembered what details of her business she would have to talk with this person, and was completely confused.

“You look at everyone like that?” - she made an involuntary lunge, wanting to besiege him for her own feeling of awkwardness.

- Stupid habit. Sorry, I apologize ... Read more →