So much for that theory. Oh well, I was history. "Yes,
sir. They’re very beautiful," I said, not knowing how
to respond and not yet ready to admit my defeat and beg for
mercy.
"Well, they weren't sent to me," he
said. "That’s why I need your help. I caught someone
delivering these to Gina, my daughter. Well, I know that she is
sort of a friend of yours, and I think that she kind of likes
you. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, we get along fine, uh, very well," I said,
feeling like the mouse sitting on the trap nibbling at the
cheese, any moment the spring would snap and whaaack!
"Well, I haven't given them to Gina yet,
because I wanted to talk to you first. You see, I don't know who
sent these yet, because the chicken S.O.B., pardon my French,
didn't have the guts to sign his name. That's why I called you
in here – to help me out before this thing gets out of
hand. I would really appreciate it if you would find out who in
the heck this "secret admirer" is.
"You just don't know Gina's past history
with men. The last guy that sent her flowers was a motorcycle
gang member, a real bad egg. You know, sex, drugs, rock and
roll. Well, not this time. I want to you to find out this creep’s
name before he gets his grimy paws on my daughter. No sir, I
don't want to see her wrapped up with another useless no account
bum. If you only knew what it’s like being a father to a
beautiful girl. I don't know why, but she never seems to want to
get involved with anyone with a sense of responsibility. You
know, someone with his head in the real world, like you and me."
Dazed, I couldn’t believe what I was
hearing. Like a bad situation comedy: here was the
over-protective father putting his foot in his mouth up to his
knee. Luckily, I hadn’t spilled my guts when I walked into
the room; even though I would‘ve loved to see the look on
his face if he discovered I was the scoundrel who sent the
flowers. The absurdity of it all almost made me laugh, until I
realized what a truly horrible situation I was in. Somehow it
lost its humor.
"James," he said, "you know how
much that girl means to me. I know that it isn't necessarily in
your job description, but I would appreciate it if you could
just ask her if she knows who sent them. Once you uncover his
name I will take over and check him out from there. If he is
some Colombian drug dealer or ex-convict, damn it, I want to
find out!"
