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Time seemed to slither away while Anna remained in the moment. Her head was swimming with questions. She wanted to ask this Hans Westergård a number of things. The most pressing question burned on her tongue, but she could not allow herself to say it.
Aren't those pants cutting off his circulation?
She had only sneaked a peek for a split second but Anna could feel a cold sweat trickling down her nape. She focused her eyes on the reindeer bobble-head that sat on Kristoff's desk. Anything to stay her wandering eyes while Hans filled out an information sheet. Normally, clients would take a seat—but for some reason, Hans felt comfortable doing it standing up—Oh God wrong choice of words. He seemed more at ease bent over at the desk—STILL NOT RIGHT.
He preferred FILLING OUT THE FORM across the desk unseated. Whew.
It was all fine and dandy but he didn't seem to realize that she was at eye level with his—Damn it! Look at the bobble head Anna! Her traitorous eyes had almost exposed her yet again.
"Done," Hans said, sliding the forms towards her. Anna mentally sighed in relief as he straightened up.
"So…Mr. Westergård"—
"Do call me Hans."
"Hans then," she gave his information a quick glance-over, "you're from the Westergård Insurance Company."
"Family business, I lend a hand."
"But I assume you're here on a personal business?" Anna said, remembering his use of first-person pronouns earlier (his proximity and chocolate wiping made it seem extra personal too - but that was another matter).
"Ah no," His hand raked through his auburn hair. "I'm here on behalf of my family. I apologize…we tend to take things really close to heart."
Anna frowned, looking at him suspiciously (partly for a touch of skepticism she had seen Kristoff do with potential clients…then again, her mentor was never much a people-person to begin with). Besides his looks and appeal (and basic information on paper), Hans was an enigma. She had yet to peg his character.
"Have a seat and maybe you can tell more about this lost possession."
He didn't. Instead he padded over to side of the office, surveying the framed photos and newspaper clippings of cases that Kristoff had solved. "Do you like jewelry, Detective?"
Anna blinked. She had not expected him to start his opening with a question. Be cool Anna! Remember you're a jaded professional!
"I can appreciate a good ice." She remarked nonchalantly. "Did your mother lose a few oyster fruits?"
Hans gave a shrug before looking over his shoulder to her. "No. But we did lose a diamond valued at two million."
Anna's eyes popped open, followed by her mouth. "TWO MILLION?!"
"That was the appraisal. It was an old heirloom." He regarded the framed wall again, "It has a lot of historical value too. So I came here to…" He turned with a despaired sigh. "Well, you can fill in the blank."
Anna nodded, "Basically you want me to recover it? Have you talked to the local authorities about this? I mean geez two million dead presidents is really"—
Hans cut her off. "See, here lies the problem. The…" He shoved his hands down his pants pockets, the move highlighting the zippered front, "big problem."
Okay, he must be doing that on purpose. Anna thought in annoyance.
"See. The diamond—the Blue Olaf—we recently had it sold."
"Wait…you sold a priceless family heirloom?" Anna and her sister had their own material inheritance from their late parents. She could never fathom parting with her father's first-edition classic books, not for all the money in the world. On the other hand, Hans and his family seemed to put profits over sentiments.
Hans leaned against the wall. He seemed amused. "Everything has a price Detective." His voice then turned raspy. "Even you."
Anna shot up from her chair, slamming her hands down the desk. "Excuse me?!"
"Your service charge. I don't imagine a private eye does investigations for free."
…
…
"Oh um…right."
Great. Way to go Anna.
"We recently sold the Blue Olaf to a private buyer who shortly went overseas. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to divulge his identity. All you need to know is that he left the diamond in our care. He also had it insured with us."
Anna nodded, following his story.
"Well….if word gets out that the company lost a valuable and insured stone for a big time client under our own noses…it's going to cause quite a scandal. It's not about covering for the loss but rather…"
"Who would want to take out an insurance policy with a company that loses your things?" Anna surmised.
"Bingo." He slowly moved back to the desk. "This client is a big fish in a small pond. It would destroy the company, which is why we can't have the police poking around without some pencil getting the scoop."
Anna choked on her next remark when Hans lifted a leg and half-sitted on her desk. He leaned his torso towards her, their noses barely an inch apart.
"I need you Detective. Someone like me could use someone like you."
He had the body of a panther and the purr of a kitten—ugh not now Anna! Save your inner monologues for later!
Anna steeled her nerves and refused to budge or back away. She was a jaded, cynical detective! She arched an eyebrow.
"And what is someone like you like?"
"Desperate." His lips savored each syllable.
This man had a voice as dangerous as a loaded gun. Speaking of loaded…eyes up Anna eyes up!
Anna cleared her throat, "I suppose…I could look into it."
Hans pulled himself back up and Anna was just as grateful to him as to the poor lighting that hid her coloring. Her relief was short-lived however when the small whiteboard caught his attention and started towards it. Anna let out a squeal and flew off her desk in a quick blur. She wedged herself in front of him, blocking his view.
He looked at her questioningly. "It's been zero days since Anna's last…?"
"Closed case!" Anna clenched her teeth to a forced smile. "I just finished one! A big one! Earlier today!"
She chuckled as she not-so-discreetly pressed her back against the whiteboard to erase the text.
He smiled. "Is that so? Then I came to the right person after all."
"Uh yeah…you sure did." Oh God I hope the stains come off or Elsa will kill me.
Her coat woes stopped when a pair of gloved hands planted itself on either side of her head.
His eyes glinted behind his long lashes.
"Thank you Detective. You're doing me a favor."
"Wh-wh-what?" She coughed, schooling herself once more into her detective persona (with much difficulty), "Funny. I thought I was doing a job. A paid one."
"Oh," Hans traced a gloved finger to the outline of her head, "you'll get paid alright."
Then he bent down to her ear, his words soft and sure. "More than just your usual fee too."
He backed away with a cocky smile.
Anna was sure she was going to spontaneously combust then and there. How was she supposed to react to all this? How to react to him! None of her favorite detective characters could prepare her for this!
"It's late." He said.
She could only watch impassively as he slinked to the door. He tossed her one last glance before heading out into the night.
"Good night, Detective."
The next day, Anna looked into the credentials Hans had given out.
"…Hans is mostly in charge of media and public relations, as well as advertising." Rapunzel said from Anna's phone on speaker, the sound of keyboard mashing was audible in her line. "He's worked there ever since he graduated."
Anna scribbled the information on her notepad, "What else can you tell me about the company?"
There had to be something else.
"I've told you everything I managed to dig up."
Everything seemed to check out.
Westergård Insurance was a legit business founded over fifty years ago. It was run by the family, just as Hans said. They had shareholders and everything, plus a solid reputation. Hans being in charge of relations was good reason enough for wanting things dealt with quietly. If word got out, it would be a field day.
Despite all this, Anna still could not shake off her doubts. Something in her gut told her there was more to Hans than he let on (and it was not the tuna salad sandwich she had for lunch). Granted, she'd only met him last night. She supposed she should give him the benefit of the doubt…for now at least.
"I still can't believe it though!" Rapunzel broke Anna from her thoughts; "Kristoff actually put you in charge of something. I'm so thrilled for you."
Anna could not help but beam at that. "Well...what can I say? Kristoff can't be in his prime forever."
"He's only three years older than you."
"Ruin the moment why don't you."
Rapunzel, though an art student, was one of Kristoff's most trusted intelligence agents. He would always call her for background checks on potential clients and whatever necessary inquiries relevant to the case. It made sense for Anna to do the same. She was also a close friend.
"So is this Hans fellow as hot as he is in the pictures?" Rapunzel was referring to one of the company photos on their website. Anna had saved a few…but purely for research purposes of course!
"Oh he's handsome alright. The pictures don't do him justice…" especially from the waist down. She reached for the AC remote. Boy, did it suddenly feel hot in here.
"Are you going to see him again real soon? I mean you know for…" a giggle, "…business."
Anna rolled her eyes. "He's a client, so that's a no-brainer." She clicked on her pen. "Besides we barely had an introduction last night. I mean it was pretty late."
"Late nights are always an early start for something else…"
"Rapunzel!"
"I'm teasing! Don't be a Kristoff about it. Anyway, I have to run. We're busting our butts organizing for the big art show for Westleton. That man is like a chicken with the face of a monkey!"
Anna did not get the reference but she supposed it wasn't good. They said their goodbyes shortly after, leaving Anna to review everything she gathered.
Okay, so Hans was in the clear…at least on paper. However, she needed more concrete details to work on this case. The section with his contact information stated he preferred being called on evenings after work unless it was a pressing matter. Anna figured the investigation was pressing enough to justify calling at anytime but considering he actually bothered to write that note…
To be safe, she called him at half past seven that night.
"Detective Anna. I was just thinking about you." came his sultry voice on the receiver. "I've been anticipating your call all day…"
Anna was thankful she didn't have to worry about her face on the phone. It was much, much easier to fake a pessimistic tone.
"It said you should only be reached around this hour."
"I still waited anyway. You can call me anytime you desire Detective."
Then why bother writing that note! Anna wanted to shout but kept her cool.
"Listen Hans, I'll need more information about the Blue Olaf. Everything you know and don't. When can we"— She paused. Was it her imagination or did she just hear a splash? "Hans? Are you by the beach or pool or something…?"
A dangerous image crossed her mind.
"Oh, no I'm in the bath."
That image became a national threat.
"You're...talking to me…from your bathtub…?"
He chuckled. "I've had a long…" a pleasurable hiss, "…hard day. I wanted to relax from all the stress."
Anna's phone felt radioactive hot but it turns out it was just her ears…and her face, and neck…pretty much her entire body.
"You know what…I-I don't want to…I mean…I f-feel like I'm bathing you—BOTHERING YOU! I'll just send you a text."
She hung up for the preservation of her own sanity.
Detective log: Currently unavailable.