How goes it?” “What’s wrong, son?” “What do you mean what’s wrong? Does something have to be wrong for me to call my only father? How’s the private detecting business?” “Not bad. I got a big industrial client who wants me to find out who’s stealing paper clips and I’m starting to get a few regular cases.” “What’s a regular case?” “You know, missing husbands, cheating wives, that kind of things. It’s starting to go real well.” “Let’s get down to the important stuff,” Trace said. “Is it getting you out of the house?” “Yes. Every blessed day,” Sarge said. “Praise be God.” “So what’s wrong?” Trace’s father asked again. “I really resent it when people think there’s got to be something wrong when I call them,” Trace said. “When you start resenting things, I know something’s wrong. Besides, you sound like death warmed over.” “I’ve been drinking too much,” Trace said. “Why?” Sarge asked. “I need ten thousand dollars,”
