The Merger – 5

 

Deciding he had nothing to lose other than his pride, Mike rushed him, intending to at least knock him backward, if not to the floor. Then next thing he knew, he was flat on his face, with Josh's knee on the small of his back, his arm twisted at an awkward and painful angle—which given the difference in their heights and builds was amazing, in his opinion.

Josh got up, holding out his hand. Mike took it and stood. "Impressive," he said, rubbing his shoulder. He grinned when Rosie stepped into the office with a worried look on her face.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine. Only a bruised ego," Mike told her.

"Uh-huh." She glanced around then back at him, saying, "At least you didn't knock anything over," then left.

"Convinced?" Josh asked.

"More than. Are you interested in joining my agency?"

"I'm interested in partnering with you. Of course, we'd need to change the name and work out a lot of details."

"Okay." Mike thought a moment. "Harte and Aston Investigations?"

Josh waggled his hand. "That doesn't include what I do."

"Hmm. Harte and Aston Protective Services."

"Same problem. No one would know you do investigative work."

"Yeah." Mike sat, again, considering options. "A & H Investigations and Protection?"

"Better. Not great, but better."

"A & H Investigations and Security. Or we could get alliterative. A & H Detection and Protection."

"I think you mean rhyming," Josh said. "It's cute, but I'm not sure we want cute. Investigations and Security works."

"All right. We'll settle on that, for now. What next?"

"A contract, I suppose, after we figure out everything else. We're both licensed, so that shouldn't be a problem," Josh replied. "Do you have a lawyer who can draw one up?"

"Yep. One of the ones I work with from time to time. He drafted the contract I use for my clients."

"All right. We'll need to change the sign on the door and… Do you have a website?"

Mike nodded. "Do you?"

"Of course." Josh gave him the address.

Mike typed it in, chuckling to himself as he did. He's nothing if not a go-getter once he's made a decision. Not pushy, but he knows what he wants and goes after it. "This isn't bad," Mike said, when he opened Josh's homepage. "Straightforward and to the point. Here's mine." He input the address and the page opened.

Josh studied it, shaking his head. "The bar at the top with the rotating pictures and text? Distracting. And half of the home page is testimonials. Boring. Yeah, I know it's the thing these days, but why? Put them on a separate page. You want people who are searching for a private detective to know what you have to offer, not how much someone praises your services. When I see something like that, I wonder right off the bat if the testimonials are real or not."

Mike had to admit he had a point. "Since we'll need a new one anyway, I'm okay with putting them as a link on the taskbar." He began making notes as they discussed all the other things they'd need to do to merge their two agencies.

Soon the list was half a page long. At that point, Josh looked at him, asking, "Are you certain you want to do this? Like I said, I can be too aggressive, I guess, when I want to convince someone to do something."

"I'm sure. It will be good for both of us, business wise. Despite how it might seem, I'm not a pushover. It was my idea to start with, even though you made the first move. So far, we seem to get along, which is a big plus in my book."

"We do, and, Mike, I know you're not a pushover. Hell, given what you do, you couldn't be." Josh grinned. "You're just smart enough to accept that my suggestions are valid."

Mike snorted. "That's one way to put it. All right, the first thing we need is the contract. I'll call my lawyer to make an appointment." He did, and after consulting with Josh, set one up for the following Monday at eleven thirty.

With that done, Josh and Mike went over the list Mike had made, adding a few more items before Josh got ready to leave.

"Do you have any plans for the weekend?" Mike asked.

"I have a regular job tomorrow morning, escorting a client—he owns a nightclub— when he goes to the bank to pick up the cash he'll need for the weekend. Other than that, I'm free. Why?"

"I think we should get to know each other—more than what we do now—if we're going to be working together. If you're up for it, maybe we could go out for a couple of drinks and talk?"

"Not a bad idea. Where?"

"Thirty-One Twelve? Say around eight?" Mike replied.

"That works. I'll see you then."

The Merger – 4

 

"Possibly. First, of course, you'll have to do a background check on me, to make certain I am what I say." Josh paused then said seriously, "I've already done one on you," as he followed Mike.

"You're kidding." Mike shot him a look of disbelief before opening the storage room door then stepping back so Josh could take a look, not that there was much to see other than shelves along one wall that held a few banker's boxes and two older desktop computers which, Mike realized, were in severe need of dusting—or just getting rid of. Other than that, there were office and cleaning supplies on shelves along the opposite wall, leaving a lot of unused, empty space.

"This could work," Josh said. "And I wasn't kidding. After I left the bar, I figured that if I'd read you right, and I'm pretty good at it, you were thinking about our pairing up—" he grinned, "—and not because Thirty-One Twelve caters mostly to gays, although I suspect you are. You were too casual about coming over to talk to me, if that makes sense."

Mike laughed. "It does, although it doesn't mean I am." He sobered. "I take it you've considered what you thought I might have in mind."

Josh nodded. "I've been thinking recently that I've been too stubborn about expanding my horizons. I'm a loner—have been since I was a kid—but that isn't always an advantage, especially when it comes to keeping a business running."

"So you decided to take a chance, jump in with both feet, and find out if you'd read me correctly."

"Yes."

"Let's go back to my office and talk."

When they were seated again, Josh asked, "Am I being too pushy? I'm not always certain when I've exceeded someone's boundaries."

"I wouldn't call it pushy. You decided you might want this then took the initiative."

"Would you have, if I hadn't?"

"I'm not sure," Mike admitted. "I did go back to the bar a couple of times to see if you'd show up. You didn't, so I figured you weren't interested in the proposition I'd only vaguely hinted at, if that. On the other hand, I thought maybe you weren't the kind of guy who usually went to bars to begin with, since you don't drink."

Josh arched an eyebrow. "So the only reason to go to one is to get hammered?"

"Not hammered, but why go by yourself if you don't intend to drink and be sociable? You weren't doing either one."

"Two of my many flaws, according to an ex."

"You're not old enough… Okay, I take that back. I figured you were in college until I got a closer look at you. Now I'm thinking you might be thirty…or close to it."

"Thirty-one, so yeah, I can have exes."

"It's fifty-fifty what sex they were, given, as you pointed out, that Thirty-One Twelve caters to gays, although not exclusively." 

"I noticed," Josh said smugly. Then he grinned. "Both of them were male, which should tell you something."

"It does. Now back to what I was saying. Like you, I've been thinking of expanding, although more along the lines of picking up another investigator. But when you told me what you do, it occurred to me that you might be a better fit."

Smiling, Josh replied, "I think so. But then I'm prejudiced."

"You really do bodyguard work? You hardly fit the perception of one, especially if you meant it when you said you don't carry."

"I hate guns," Josh said adamantly, his expression darkening.

"Why?"

"Because they…" Josh shook his head. "Maybe someday I'll tell you. Right now you'll just have to take my word for it."

"So you rely on what? Martial arts? Maybe knives or Tasers?"

"Yes."

Mike looked him over, this time assessing his size and weight. He knew those didn't matter, if Josh did have martial arts skills. But against an armed man, or men, intent of doing his client serious bodily harm?

"You don't think I could take someone like you down?" Josh asked, getting to his feet. "Come at me."

"Umm…"

"Come on. I promise I won't break anything."

"On me…or in the office?" Mike asked as he stood.

"Both?"

The Merger – 3

 

Mike stopped by Thirty-One Twelve twice in the next three days, wondering if he'd run into Josh again. He didn't, which he supposed didn't surprise him too much. He did say it was his first time going to the bar, and after I bothered him, he probably decided to make it his last, too.

Therefore, when Rosie, his receptionist, buzzed him Friday afternoon to tell him that a Mr. Aston wanted to see him, Mike had to stop and think for a moment before he realized who she meant.

"He doesn't have an appointment," Rosie added.

"That's all right. I've got a few minutes. Send him in."

"I hope I'm not interrupting something," Josh said when he entered Mike's office.

"Not at all. I just finished doing background checks on potential employees for a client. The only other thing on my calendar at the moment is screening two contractors for a man who is planning a major renovation on his business." Mike smiled, gesturing to the chair by his desk. "Have a seat and save me from total boredom."

Josh chuckled, sitting. "Better you than me. I'd rather be out in the field than staring at a computer screen."

"I totally understand that but half my income comes from this." Mike waved a hand at the laptop.

"And the other half from chasing down insurance fraudsters?"

"Not quite that bad. As I told you at the bar, I do missing person's searches, too. I also do surveillance, serve summons for a couple of lawyers I work with—another bread-and-butter job." Mike smiled wryly "You know…the usual things people expect from a private investigator."

"Most of the things," Josh countered. "You said you don't set up security systems."

"Nope." Mike shrugged. "Not my skill set, as they say. I suppose it could be, if I wanted to get some training, but I manage to keep busy enough without adding that to my résumé."

"Understandable." Josh looked around the office. "You've got a camera in here, which is good, but it's not enough. Any competent thief could break into those." He gestured at the two file cabinets along the wall beside Mike's desk. "At least what you have on the hallway door is decent."

"It better be. I paid enough to have it installed."

"But there's nothing on the other doors."

"Are you trying to sell me on upgrading and having you do it?" Mike asked with a ghost of a smile.

Josh shook his head. "Not really. Like you, I have plenty to keep me busy without having to chase down new jobs." Leaning back, he looked thoughtfully at Mike. "You barely know me and vice versa, but I got the impression when we were at the bar that you pointing out the coincidence that we work in semi-comparable fields was not just casual talk."

"It was and it wasn't," Mike replied, waggling his hand. "I'm well aware I'm lacking a service some of my clients want. I generally send them to one of my competitors if they press the issue."

"Not exactly good for your business if they decide to change over to someone who offers the whole package."

"Most don't because I'm good at what I do. Still, I have lost a couple that way."

"How much room do you have here?" Josh asked.

"That was out of the blue. My office, as you can see, the waiting room, a tiny lavatory, and a room a bit smaller than this one that I use for storage at this point."

"May I see it?"

"Thinking about turning it into an office, too?" Mike asked as he got up. He wondered if that was the case and if this was Josh's subtle way of suggesting they should merge their agencies.

The Merger – 2

 

Josh cocked his head. "What makes you think I haven't?" he asked while taking in Mike's short brown hair, gray-blue eyes above a classically straight nose, and his fairly muscular body.

After taking a drink of his beer, Mike set the bottle down again. "So you've broken into places? Or stolen a car? Or robbed a bank? Or…murdered someone?"

"Two out of four."

"I hope murder's not one of them," Mike said with a dry smile.

"Nope. Neither is robbing a bank. You need a gun for that and I detest them."

Leaning back, Mike asked, "If you're not a criminal—and I'm taking your word for it, for now—why break in somewhere or steal a car?"

Josh smiled. "As you said, you have to practice what you've learned. It's difficult to protect someone if you don't know how a potential attacker might get into their home or place of business—and how to defend against that happening."

"You're telling me that's what you do?" Mike looked as if he thought Josh was pulling his leg.

"Yes. I run a one-man protection service, primarily installing security for businesses, sometimes acting as a bodyguard for a client."

"You have got to be… Wait a minute. If you hate guns, how can you be a bodyguard?"

"There are a lot of other ways to fend off an attacker without shooting them," Josh replied.

"True." Mike nodded slowly, again studying him.

"What?" Josh asked when Mike's scrutiny went on too long without him saying anything.

"I was just thinking how coincidental this is." Mike tapped a finger on the bar.

"Oh? Why?"

"I came in here to unwind after a much-too-busy day. I see a man I figure is a college student sitting at the other end of the bar and wonder why he's studying here rather than at home where it's quieter."

"And your inquisitive gene kicks in, so you decide to find out. That still doesn't tell me why you think this is coincidental."

"My busy day," Mike replied, "involved trying to locate a runaway, doing background checks for a client, and following a man who's suing a shopkeeper because he fell and injured himself on a wet floor—or so he claims."

"You think he's pulling a scam?" Josh asked, his interest piqued.

"I know he is after watching him grocery shopping, loading a fifty-pound bag of dog food into his car, and later in the day, wrestling with his dog in the backyard of his house. A very large dog, by the way."

"So, you're telling me you're a private investigator."

"Yep. See the coincidence?"

Josh waggled his hand. "Sort of. I don't do any investigating. Do you do any security work?"

"Like setting it up? Nope. Not my field of expertise. I have done some bodyguard work, on rare occasions."

Josh nodded. "Do you have your own agency or do you work for someone?"

"Like you, I'm flying solo, except for my receptionist. You ought to stop by sometime to check it out."

"Should I expect a dingy, two-room suite in a run-down building in a bad area of town, like in the movies?" Josh asked with a grin.

Mike laughed. "Not that bad. I'm downtown in a newer building and my office is quite presentable, thanks. No dirty walls, no cobwebs in the corners, and an up-to-date computer system."

"I might have to stop by, if I knew where you are and who you are, other than Mike something."

Mike took a card from his wallet then handed it to Josh.

"Michael Harte Investigations," Josh read aloud. "I'm Joshua Aston, though if you call me Joshua, I'll ignore you."

"Family name?" Mike asked.

Josh rolled his eyes. "Yeah, after my father and grandfather. Thank God, we all have different middle names so I'm not a Third." He shuddered.

Mike chuckled, pointing to Josh's nearly empty bottle. "Want another?"

"No thanks. I should get out of here. I have an early morning job for a new client."

"It's only…" Mike glanced at the clock on the wall across from the bar. "Okay. It's later than I thought. It's been nice talking with you, Josh. I meant it. Stop by sometime, if you get the chance."

"Maybe I will." Josh marked his place and closed the book then swallowed the last of his drink before getting up. "Do you come here often?"

"Fairly often. You don't—or at least not that I've seen."

"No. I've walked past here more than once but never stopped in until tonight. I wasn't in the mood to go home at that point."

"You live in the neighborhood?"

"Yes." Josh left it at that before walking to the door. I bet that if I do visit his office, he's going to suggest we merge our agencies. He had a look in his eye that said he was thinking about it, which is strange since he doesn't know me. Not that I'd agree to it, if he did. I like "flying solo," as he put it. No one to answer to but me…and my clients, of course.

*****

Mike watched as Josh crossed the room then left Thirty-One Twelve. An interesting man, I think. He chuckled softly. Based on one brief meeting. I wonder if he will stop by my office. If he doesn't, oh well. But if it happens… Will I really suggest we could go into business together, or was that just a fleeting idea because I was surprised by what he does? It could work well for both of us if he were willing, which he probably wouldn't be. I've got the feeling he's pretty much of a loner.

With those thoughts in mind, Mike finished his beer then decided it would be a good idea if he went home, as well. So I can face a new day with a working brain.

The Merger – 1

 

The first time Mike saw Josh, it was the last Monday evening in April.

The man was sitting alone at the far end of the bar in Thirty-One Twelve—named for its address, 3112 Page Street. He was reading, his chin propped on one hand as he stared down at the book, a bottle of near-beer at his elbow. Occasionally, he'd jot something on the pad of paper next to him before going back to reading. Mike wondered if he was a college student. He didn't look more than twenty-two or three, at the most, at least from Mike's vantage point. If so, why study in a noisy bar, especially when he wasn't drinking real beer?

Curious, Mike picked up his bottle and wandered down to peer over the young man's shoulder. "Must be a pretty good book," he said.

Obviously startled, the guy turned to look at Mike before putting a finger between the pages to keep his place then closing the book to show Mike the cover.

"A book about burglary? Planning on breaking in somewhere?" Mike asked with a snort of amusement.

"Nope." He opened the book again, returning his attention to what he was reading.

"Short and sweet. By the way, I'm Mike."

"I'm not…"

He didn't finish whatever he was going to say, so Mike laughed, asking, "Not Mike? Or not interested in talking?"

He looked up, his lips twitching with a hint of a smile. "Both?"

"Okay. I won't bother you anymore."

Mike started to walk away when the young man said, "I'm Josh."

Turning back, Mike replied, "Nice to meet you. May I?" He pointed to the vacant stool next to Josh.

Josh shrugged and nodded, going back to the book after taking a sip of his drink.

Mike studied him openly, realizing as he did that Josh wasn't as young as he'd first thought. He decided he was probably closer to his own thirty-three than the twenty-three he'd guesstimated. He was slender, almost wiry, with dark hair that was a bit too long—which is why I thought he was a college student, I suppose—and hazel eyes. He chastised himself for jumping to conclusions based on first impressions. Given what he did for a living, he should have known better.

Josh turned to look at him. "Got my face memorized yet?"

Mike noted the touch of humor in his gaze, so he replied, "Getting there." He tapped the book. "Why are you reading about burglary?"

"The more I know about it, the easier it is to…" Josh snapped his mouth closed.

"To break in somewhere?"

"Yes. But not for the reason you're probably thinking."

Mike grinned. "Got it. You're an intrepid secret agent who needs to steal state secrets, so you have to know the best ways to enter a building without getting caught."

"Nope. Not a spy, not a burglar, though I suspect I might make a good one if I put my mind to it. I've studied enough about them and how they do what they do."

"Just studying won't do any good if you don't practice what you've learned. Theoretically, at least."