Port Sonoma

have to dig deeper.” I said. “I have to pay extra for info from some websites and sources. If I have to do field work, such as follow someone, or if I have to go into the City to investigate a lead, I charge two hundred dollars a day plus expenses.”
“That sounds reasonable,” she said. “I’ll have my campaign manager, Roger Hillerman, email the information to you. If it appears there will be extra charges, just contact him with the details.”
I raised my cup in Lee’s direction for a refill. She weaved her way through the tables with a pitcher of hot coffee.
“Warm up?” she asked. I nodded. “Mayor Hammett, do you need a refill?”
“No thank you. It’s time to earn the taxpayer’s dollar. Roger or I will be in touch, Handy.” She said.
I raised my cup to salute her as she rose from her seat, grabbed her purse and walked out the side door of the coffeehouse. She had a nice figure that drew stares from other men in the room.
“Thanks, Lee. I just paid next month’s rent.” I then noticed that the mayor hadn’t left a tip. I pulled a dollar from my pocket and placed it under my cup. “And thanks for the coffee.”
It was time to check my mail box. I still waited for Uncle Willy’s final check. Pearl turned out to be a secretive person. I had to use more than my usual sources when I researched her background. I found out she had been arrested and held as a material witness in China, because her then boyfriend was a people smuggler. Nine people had suffocated in a locked cargo container. The smell of their decaying bodies had alerted port security. They raided the company whose name was on