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known enemies, and Paul Baker, our erstwhile in-house investigator, uncovered none during his investigation. ”
    Fraser stared at me, taking my measure. “ Wally Fayssoux up in Greenville says the two of you are the best investigators in the state. High praise. You have certainly been in the Charleston news of late. However, I remain unconvinced that is an advantage.”
    Nate leaned back in his chair, likely forming a thoughtful response.
    I said, “We ’ve been in the news, Mr. Rutledge, because we solve cases.”
    â€œ Miz Talbot, all due respect, but if I did not know that, we would not be having this conversation.”
    I resisted the urgent need to liberate him from his burdensomely high self-regard. “ The only way being in the news could hamper our effectiveness,” I said, “would be if our faces were familiar. You may have noticed how our photographs are missing from the occasional mention in the Post and Courier . Very few people in this city could pick us out of a lineup. Why, I’d lay odds you yourself had no idea what we looked like before we walked in.”
    â€œ As a matter of fact, I did not.” Fraser tilted his head in consideration. “ All right then. Show me what you can do. Impress me, and this could turn out to be a very lucrative situation for you long term. It will save time if you read through the case file before we get to your questions.” He tapped his index finger on the thick stack of documents and photos in the folder lying open in the center of his desk. “ What say we meet again tomorrow morning, ten o’clock.” He raised his voice. “ Mercedes. ”
    Mercedes glided into the room. Tall and pale with a long neck, her blonde hair, an array of shades similar to mine, was pulled up into a smooth chignon.
    Fraser said, “ Mercedes, get Mr. Andrews and Miz Talbot a copy of everything we have on Clint and Shelby.”
    â€œ It’s waiting for them out front,” she said.
    â€œ Why, of course it is,” Fraser said. “ You keep this place running, don’t you, darlin’ ? ” He flipped through the retainer agreement in front of him, initialing where indicated, and then dashed a signature on two copies and handed the documents to Mercedes. “ File one of these. The other belongs to our potential investigative team.”
    Mercedes handed me our copy and was back out the door as we stood.
    Fraser watched her go. “ She prefers women. Damned unfortunate waste, but it keeps things simple around the office. My wife purely has no patience with me sleeping with the help.”
    Just then I was thinking how Mrs. Rutledge must have the patience of a saint. My mouth itched to open and opine as much. Nate read my mood, reached out and touched my arm. “ It was a pleasure meeting you both.” He offered Eli his right hand.
    Eli nodded. “ I look forward to working with you.”
    Fraser walked around the side of his desk. He smiled at me with genuine warmth, then took Nate’s hand and patted him on the back. “ You have got yourself a tiger by the tail, don’t you, son ? ”
    â€œ Mr. Rutledge, I don’t have a grip at all,” said Nate.
    On the Broad Street sidewalk, less than a block from East Bay, we turned away from the Old Exchange and headed west. We’d parked on the street between State and Church. Nate and I each carried two file boxes’ worth of the Gerhardt case. We’d have to work all night to get through this and be back by ten the next morning. Whatever it took. Fraser’s poignant recollections of little Shelby sticking up for him in the schoolyard, coupled with the photographs documenting how her life had been abruptly cut short, had stirred my need to set things right. As right as they could now be set anyway.
    Colleen trailed behind us.
    Nate said, “ Colleen, it’s not my intention to sound ungrateful for your help, but there are