Clinton looked at the name as his phone buzzed. Anonymous. Not blocked, not unknown.
He sighed and tapped the answer button. “Phillip, what can I do for you today?”
“We had a deal,” Phillip’s voice growled through the tiny speaker. “I’ve held up my end. You hold up yours.”
“I assure you,” Clinton said, “I have been.”
“Then explain why Sampson is questioning my family,” Phillip said. “That should be impossible.”
“Really? He found your family?” Clinton shifted in his wingback chair. “He is better than I suspected.”
“It took you the better part of a decade to even figure out I had a stepbrother,” Phillip hissed. “He’s been on my trail for three weeks and has talked to my aged mother, found my father’s grave, and took my sister out for coffee to question her.” He growled. “My actual sister. Theresa.”
“I didn’t know you had a full sister,” Clinton mumbled, filing the information away for later. “I am not a law officer, so what would you like me to do?”
“We had a deal,” Philip barked.
“I know,” Clinton said. “Sampson and I are private detectives. We are not subject to anyone, except those that pay our fees.”
“You mean to tell me,” Phillip said. “The incredible Clinton Marks is unable to hinder a two-bit piss ant start-up private dick?”
Clinton held back his shout. “Phillip, he has his own license and does not work for me. If I interfere, then he could have my license revoked. How would that help you?”
“Fine. Fine.” Phillip lowered his voice. “What can I do?”
“What did you do?” Clinton smirked, knowing it would not transmit over the phone.
“Like I’m telling you.”
“So you did take the ruby,” Clinton said. “I figured. They noticed it yesterday, but I bet it was gone a week prior.”
“Two,” Phillip said with a chuckle. “Sampson told the cops it had been missing a little over a week.”
“How did he know?”
“I don’t know,” Phillip said. “The papers reported a consultant was working the case, I assumed it was you. Then I read the name.”
“Why did they pick him?” Clinton slid his eyes to the paper from yesterday. He had skimmed the article and missed that detail.
“He knows Valarie,” Phillip said. “She owed him a favor.”
Clinton tapped on the tablet computer. “He specializes in divorces and insurance fraud. His reviews are less than mediocre. How exactly is the world’s greatest mastermind getting his backside handed to him by this stumblebum?”
“Look,” Phillip shouted. “He’s found out things you didn’t know and faster than you.”
“You know if he finds you,” Clinton leaned back and picked up his tea. “If he links it to you, that will open many doors to other crimes that haven’t expired yet.”
“I know.” Phillip’s voice carried a hint of worry and sarcasm. “Like that, you and I have crossed paths before. Several times before.”
Clinton choke-swallowed his tea. “What are you saying?”
“If I go down,” Phillip said. “You go down. Accomplice or after the fact.”
“You’re right,” Clinton said. “Where is he headed?”
“I have no idea,” Phillip said. “As you said, he’s less than third rate.”
“He lives in a flea-bag motel,” Clinton said, eyeing his tablet. “And only has a GED. Are you kidding me?”
“How is the world’s greatest detective behind the curve of this hack?”
“Shut it,” Clinton barked. “We’ve got to get ahead of this.”
“How?” Phillip sounded worried. “He’s chaotic.”
“Figures,” Clinton said. “Hold on.” Clinton tapped his tablet and displayed the doorbell camera. “He’s here. Dammit. I better go.” He hung up.
“Now, to see what this cretin wants.” Clinton schooled his face before he opened the door. “Yes, how may I help you?”
“Mr. Marks?” Sampson said. “I’m Sampson Lloyd. I have been hired to find the Delilah Ruby.”
“You have?” Clinton scanned the driveway. “What does that have to do with me?”
Sampson smiled. “Well, you see, sir.” Sampson shifted and pulled a manila folder from under his arm. “I have this photo and a video on a thumb drive where the still was taken.” He displayed the picture. “It shows you talking to Phillip Deveroux.”
“I talk to many people,” Clinton said. “You probably have seen my picture on the news. I am a bit of a celebrity.”
“Yeah,” Sampson said. “And then there is this.” Sampson handed over a collection of paper held by a staple. “This is the transcript from the video. I had to get a lip reader, there was no audio.”
“Genius,” Clinton said.
“You and he were planning on how to steal the Ruby,” Sampson said. He flipped the pages and pointed at some text. “Right here.”
“Uh…”