The Dead Guy- Chapter 6

 I need a drink, a man, or a massage. Or a drunken massage by a man.

I was busy working in my office on Monday morning when Officer Yum walked in and closed the door. I was startled by the door closing as I was deep into the financials of a supposedly cheating husband. If I haven't mentioned it already I am a forensic accountant. What that means is that I am great at solving puzzles and finding things. Once I am on your trail, no financial transaction will be too small for me to look at.

How did I become a forensic accountant? Before the kids were born I had been an accountant for a large grocery store. That is until the owner went to jail on money laundering charges. I am afraid I am the one who figured out what was going on long before authorities. The store closed, I lost my job so I decided that was a good time to get pregnant. I decided to stay home with my kids when they were born. Then, when my twins were small,  Drew would come home and talk about a particularly trying,  rich spouse, that all of the suddenly was poor as a church mouse. Drew would always ask me to help him find the money. I got good at it.  Then other attorneys in his office would ask me to find the money. Pretty soon I was charging $200 an hour and working from home while the kids napped. When they went to first grade I moved into Drew's Law Firms Office. When we divorced I moved out and hung out  my own shingle. I was pretty well known in  divorce circles by then so It was not hard to get clients.

Back to Officer Yum. As I said he walked into my office and closed the door. The sound startled me as my secretary screens everyone BEFORE they enter. I usually hear her grilling some poor messenger or soon to be divorced woman. I jumped a little when I saw him. I brought my hand to my chest and laughed. "Well now. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"I thought we should have a little privacy. I have some questions to ask you." Officer Yum sat in the chair facing my desk.
"Is this about the dead guy?"
"Jeff Chase?" He asked then shook his head."Only slightly."
"Only slightly?" I questioned.
"The medical examiner says that he died of a heart attack. He had severe arteriosclerosis. Could have happened anywhere."
"Well LUCKY me. Does this mean I can have my house back?"I asked and then narrowed my eyes."Wait a minute. Why are you here alone? Don't you guys hunt in packs?"
"I am here to ask you some personal questions." He leaned forward in the chair and folded his hands on my desk.
"I thought you said I was off the hook? What kind of personal questions?" I do that sometimes. Just keep asking questions and not leaving time for an answer in between. Officer Yum held up his hand to stop me before I continued on my waterfall of questions. I closed my mouth and sat back. There were a couple of seconds of silence while Officer Yum collected his thoughts. He lowered his hand then spoke "Are you married?"
My jaw dropped. That was the last thing I expected to be asked. I thought I was going to be asked more stuff about the dead guy. What the hell was he doing asking about my marital status. "Divorced." I answered after my brain caught up.
"Is there some one significant in your life?"
"Besides my kids?"
"Yes."
"No."
"No you  won't answer that or no there is no one significant?" He probed
"What exactly are you getting at? What does this have to do with the dead guy?"
"Nothing to do with the dead..er Jeff Chase. I would like to take you out to lunch.Today if possible" He finished. Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit. I never thought Officer Yum would ask me out. My jaw was hanging open again. I realized I had not answered. I looked at the clock and saw it was 11:15am. I stood and smiled. "I would very much like to have lunch with you Officer Yu..Young." I grabbed my purse and came around the desk. Officer Yum was taller than me by at least 8 inches, even though I was wearing my favorite 4 inch heals. So I had to tip my head up to look at him when he spoke.
" Do you always call me Officer Yum when I am not around?"
"Uh no of course not." I lied. Looking down again. I didn't want to lie to his face. And I know you are not supposed to lie to the police  at all .  I am not sure you are supposed to go to lunch with them either...unless of course you are related to them.
"You can call me Thad. I think I would like that Jacqueline." He smiled, opened the door and stepped aside to let me pass through first. As I passed in front of him he put his hand in the small of my back and then followed me into my reception area. My secretary Gladys was back at her desk. She smiled when she saw me.
 "I am going to lunch with Officer...I mean Thad. Go ahead and lock the door when you go to lunch. I have my keys."  We walked out to the parking lot and I stopped. I was unsure of where I was going. I didn't see a police car. I was sure I was not riding in one. Not even for lunch. "I am over here." Thad said taking my hand. "I am off duty. We are riding in my personal car."
I instantly relaxed. I was so not riding in a cop car. I could just see Mrs Kingston telling my mom about how she was at the store and saw me riding in a cop car with Officer Young. I would so not be able to get out of telling that story at a Sunday dinner. His private vehicle was something else entirely. He led me to a big blue Ford F-150. He opened the door and I saw it was very nice inside. Leather interior, cup holders, clean.( We moms notice that kind of thing.  As I got into his car and he closed the door I realized that I might not be safe from the inquisition on Sunday after all. I was on a date with the cop who had investigated the dead guy at my house. HOLY CRAP I am on a date! The idea just sort a crashed onto me like a piano falling form the sky. I had not dated anyone since before I met Drew. My thoughts must have showed on my face because Thad reached over and took my hand. "Relax. I don't bite...at least not on the first date."

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