Daniel Ganninger - Icarus Investigations 02 - Peeking Duck by Daniel Ganninger Page B

what you decided to pull out of your closet?” I asked in a dead pan tone.  “Were you drunk at the time, I hope?”
    “ What’s wrong with what I’m wearing, you bunch of snobs,” he replied seriously.
    “ You look like a rainbow threw up,” Alex said laughing.
    Galveston had de cided that a bright, vertically striped, button down shirt with blue jeans that were way too baggy and had that crazy, acid washed look—that was popular twenty years ago—was appropriate attire for our meeting.  He even had the audacity to wear some well worn flip-flops that made his posture look like he was a remnant from the Paleozoic Era; a hunched over, knuckle dragger.
    “ And your face?  Did you rub it with a rock?” I exclaimed.
    “ I had a little trouble with my razor.  It was a teeny bit dull,” he replied.
    Galveston ‘s face was red with irritation from the razor, and he had cut himself two or three times.
    “ You didn’t have anything clean, did you?” I asked.
    He looked away.  “This was all I had left in my closet.  I haven’t had time to do a load.”
    “ It’s not hard.  You put it in a washing machine and turn the knob,” Alex told him sarcastically.
    I shook my head at the sight, but I didn ‘t have time to change him.  We only had fifteen minutes before our appointment, and I didn’t have any extra clothes.  I would have to deal with him later.  At least he made it in.  I shouldn’t have expected him to revert to the way he used to be in one day. 
    “ We’ll just tell the client that he’s an intern from the unemployment office,” I said to Alex.
    “ Are you guys done?  Now what about this client?” Galveston said, trying to change the subject.
    I sighed.   We could harp on him the rest of the afternoon, but we had more pressing matters.  I would deal with his appearance later.
    “The client is one that Alex has worked with before—OceanLogic.  Do you remember them, Alex?”  I asked.
    “ Yeah, a few years ago I went over there to do some computer work.  They wanted me to track down the owners of some cargo or something.  Easy job.  I think I completed it all from the comfort of my chair at home.”
    “ Well, that’s who our client is.  I don’t know what it’s about, though.  She’ll be here in a few minutes,” I told my partners.
    “ A she?” Alex began, “I wonder if it’s the same…” he was cut off by Jane paging over the phone’s intercom.
    “ Roger, Ms. Jenkins is here for the meeting.”
    “ Send her back,” I answered.
    “ There’s something you should know,” Alex said quickly, “I…”  But he was cut off again as Jane strolled in with Maddie Jenkins.
    Galveston turned to stand and meet our guest, and his jaw literally dropped as he saw the stunning beauty walk through the door, impeccably clothed in a modest dress.  He was amazed at her appearance, while Alex acted as if he was trying to crawl into a corner of the room.  I then noticed Alex’s face turning a bright shade of red.  I was losing confidence that this meeting would go smoothly.
    “ Thanks for coming, Ms. Jenkins,” I said sticking out my hand.
    “ Thanks for meeting me on such short notice.  You can call me Maddie.”
    “ This is Dan Galveston, my business partner.” 
    I pointed to Galveston who jumped up to a standing position, and in the process came out of one of his flip-flops.  He slowly stuck out his hand, but said nothing. With a glazed look on his face he finally stammered to greet Jenkins. 
    “ Uh, nice to meet you.” Galveston’s voice was almost monotone, and he shook her hand a bit too long.
    “ Galveston had a clothing malfunction this morning.  Today was his day off,” I lied.  Galveston immediately flashed me a dirty look.
    “ Nice to meet you,” Maddie said to Galveston, and pried her hand from his.  He continued to stare at her like a sick puppy.
    “ Okay,” I said, trying to break up the awkward moment.  “This is Alex,” I started,