Mind Games
Chapter One


Andrea Stewart was not the first suspicious wife to come to 
the Riptide Detective Agency, and she probably would not be 
the last. She *was* however, the first one coming in search of 
a second opinion.

She'd arrived without an appointment, which in and of itself 
wasn't that unusual. They'd had customers arrive in a variety of 
unusual and unexpected ways, and having someone knock 
politely on the door and wait patiently until they answered was 
pretty much a refreshing change. What caught their attention 
was Mrs. Stewart herself.

She was a middle-aged woman, forty-five probably, but 
appearing to be in her late thirties. She was apparently a 
business woman, dressed immaculately in a jacket and skirt, 
carrying a brief case, seeming to be fresh from the office. 
Murray had welcomed her and called Nick and Cody in from 
working on the Mimi. Stewart had greeted each of them, then 
taken the offered seat. At Cody's gesture to begin, she had 
launched into her story.

As she explained it, she'd been suspicious of her husband's late 
nights and numerous business trips for several months when 
she asked her brother-in-law, a detective with the local police, 
to recommend a private detective to check into her husband's 
affairs - perhaps literally. The problem was, the detective didn't 
do a very good job. He told her he'd found no evidence to 
support her suspicions, and that Carl Stewart's business trips 
were just that - business trips - but he didn't give her any proof. 
No pictures, no documentation, not even notes he'd scribbled 
to himself during the investigation.

"Either he's completely incompetent," Andrea Stewart had 
declared, "or he thinks I'm an idiot. I don't really care for either 
possibility."

Nick and Cody had exchanged a quick glance, each suspecting 
the same thing but not ready to suggest it. "Mrs. Stewart, 
forgive me for asking," Cody began, "but why come to us? 
Most women would be happy to have a professional tell them 
that their husband isn't being unfaithful and leave it at that."

"I am a business woman," Andrea Stewart replied. "I deal with 
people every day, making deals, writing up contracts. I have 
become used to two things. The first is getting what I paid for, 
which in this case, I certainly did not. And the second is to 
never believe an impartial judge without evidence.."

"Impartial?" Cody asked. So she suspected too...

"Impartial. I believe - I can't prove it in the slightest mind you, 
but I suspect - that my husband in some way convinced the 
detective to give up on his investigation. I don't know if he 
paid him off or threatened him in some way-"

Nick interrupted. "Do you believe your husband would 
physically threaten someone just to save his marriage?"

Andrea snorted. "Carl? No. He's not the type. I do believe he is 
more than capable of threatening something else, however. 
Law suits for invasion of privacy and libel, for example. He 
may threaten to destroy the man's reputation in some way. But 
physical violence isn't his way." She drummed the fingers of 
her right hand against her briefcase. "Well, gentlemen? Are you 
willing to take my case?"

Cody lifted a questioning eyebrow at his two partners, clearly 
willing himself. Nick nodded once and leaned back against his 
chair. Murray nodded. "Sounds like a deal. We'll need to as k 
you a few questions, get some more information."

With quick, efficient movements she snapped open her 
briefcase and pulled out a thick file folder. "This is everything 
I've collected myself regarding my husband's activities. I've 
kept a record of all his business trips, vacations, day trips, etc., 
over the last six months. I've also been keeping a record of his 
office hours. I included some details about the company he 
works for, too, just in case. There's also information about the 
detective I hired. His name is Gary Peterson, by the way. His 
office and home address are both included, as well as phone 
number and whatever other information I could get my hands 
on. I assumed you would ant to speak with him." She handed 
to folder to an impressed Nick who quickly flipped through the 
pages scanning the contents as he went. He cast a quiet grin at 
Cody. "Wish all our clients were this well prepared."

Andrea snapped her suitcase shut. "Considering that you are 
working to discover information which is desirable to me, I see 
no need not to make it as easy as possible for you to complete 
the job I've hired you for." She slid a small business card out of 
her pocket. "This is my office number. I'd prefer if you 
contacted me at work instead of at home, just to be on the safe 
side. If there's an emergency of some sort, of course contact 
me at home. As for payment," she waved a hand dismissively. 
"If you do your homework, you'll find out for yourself that I'm 
not particularly concerned about money. Charge whatever you 
think is appropriate and don't let costs interfere with your 
investigation. If you need a deposit up front to defray costs or 
as a sign of good faith, I can write you a check right now."

"I don't think that'll be necessary just yet," Cody assured her. 
"Our first steps are largely going to be going over the 
information, checking up on this Peterson fellow, maybe some 
reconnaissance."

"There is one more question, Mrs. Stewart," Nick added. "Just 
how much do you want to know about your husband's 
activities?"

Andrea gave him an understanding smile. "I don't care how bad 
it is, Mr. Ryder, I want to know. It'll come in handy during the 
divorce."

"You've already decided to go ahead with a divorce?"

"I'm just waiting for you two to come up with something 
before I have him served with the papers." She stood and 
clasped Cody's and warmly. "I only hired the detective because 
I wanted to take the bastard to the cleaners. Now it's become 
as much curiosity as principle. I want to know why he went to 
such lengths to cover himself. I've suspected his infidelity for 
years, even accused him of it, but he's never been this 
secretive."

"We'll get started right on this," Cody assured her. "We'll keep 
you updated as to what we find out. Also, please make sure to 
keep up apprised of your husband's actions. Unexpected trips, 
phone calls, and any other suspicious behavior are all pretty 
important to know."

"I'll make sure of it." Then, with a few last instructions and 
questions, she excused herself and left to return to the office. 
Nick and Cody had set the folder aside as they finished up the 
repairs to the Mimi before the dark clouds on the horizon 
dumped rain over the harbor. It wasn't until that evening, with 
rain and wind pounding against the windows, that they began 
to dig into the information. It looked, as Cody said, like the 
first easy paycheck they would ever earn in their lives.

It would take less than a day for them to learn how wrong they 
were.


End Chapter One


Riptide and all related characters are the property of Stephen J. 
Cannell Productions. No copyright infringement is intended.