Blood Bath

Chapter 13

It was almost ten when Colton reached Seth's house. "Well, here we are," he said. "It looks like we're on a roll, doesn't it?"

Seth laughed, "Yes, but we're starting this business to make money, not just to help people."

"You're right." Colton replied. "We need to get down to the business of making money. I completed the corporation paperwork online and applied for all the licenses we need. We both need to sign the legal papers tomorrow. Since we're not eighteen yet, our parents will have to co-sign the forms. I also sent you a list of the summer residents on the Point and a flyer we can mail. If you order the flyers tonight and send them the address list, they will print and mail them in one day. We can convince some of my newspaper customers to sign up for our security service."

Seth smiled, "Good going, Colton. I talked to dad, and he is our first customer. I will order the security equipment we need. If we play our cards right, we might make a profit in the first week of doing business."

"Send me a copy of the equipment and supply order so I can have Mom record the expense. Just order what we need, I trust your knowledge for purchases like that."

"Now I have to get my homework done, and you need to get home. At least it has stopped snowing, and it feels like it will warm up," Seth said.

"It should be nice and warm for the big game, Saturday."

"And you have to win. I want to be in business with a winner, not a loser. Understood?"

"Understood." Colton said, as Seth walked past his Jeep window. "Seth, I am glad we're in business together. I feel like this works into both of our dreams. And thank you for helping with Tony's dilemma."

"I enjoyed the adventure, and it's good knowing we put another bad person in jail."

"It sure is," mused Colton as he rolled up his window and backed out of the driveway.

Colton spent the evening thinking about football, then business and as he fell asleep, he was thinking about Lacie, hoping she will support him in his new business plans.

***

I drove around the office building until I found a safe parking space. There is no way I will park my new 1950 Jeep MC just anywhere. Detroit is a tough city with a reputation for rampant car theft.

My office is on the third floor of what was, in its heyday, a modern office building. Today it is a shabby, low rent building. Some contend that even rats would refuse to live here. But, when you are a struggling private detective, you take what you can afford. A third-floor rat hole.

I took the stairs as the elevator hasn't worked for months. When I reached the door to my office, I stopped to admire the beautiful etched window of the heavy wood door. I ran my fingers across my name, Private Detective Colton Blackwell. There was extra fancy gold leaf trim running around the window.

When I entered the office, my beautiful secretary, Lacie, smiled at me. "I see you're still in love with that door," she said with a grin.

"You know it, Kid. When I move up to better digs, I'm taking that door with me. Of course, you'll be there too."

"Nice to know, but please pick an office building with a working elevator. I had to take my heels off halfway up the stairs."

As we bantered, the door flew open and a tall, beautiful brunette stood in the doorway with a terrified look on her face.

"Help me," she screamed. "My boyfriend is trying to kill me. He may have followed me here."

I ran into the hallway, pushed the woman into the office, and locked the door.