"Andrew? Drew, I'm sorry... I'm sorry about last night. I can't believe it's been just over a week and we had our first fight. I donāt want us to fight, especially our first Christmas together.... Uh-huh.....This is the hardest thing either of us has done before. I know it hasnāt been easy for you. It is an adjustment. Let's not fight, babe. You mean too much to me. I love you more than anyone on earth....Yeah. I understand, I know and I was wrong. Okay...and I'll call Mark Fitzgerald and cancel dinner. It was stupid. I just thought...heās coming? Are you sure? No, I do believe that itās over between you. Okay...if you say so."
I hung up. I searched my rolodex and found the next phone number I was looking for.
The guy sitting across from my desk was doing his best imitation of Columbo. He sat patiently while I gave him my rundown.
"Thanks for coming on short notice, Mr. Ortiz, let me close my door here. Little privacy, right? What am I doing? I'm operating on instinct, that's what I'm doing. Sure, I trust Andrew -- with my life, but this is not a matter of trust or judgment. I just want to get some answers to some questions -- discreetly. Now, this is what I'm looking for. Something may be happening with the...person, with my...roommate. I think he may be in some bad company."
"You mean, like drugs?" he asked.
"Possibly."
"You got a name?"
"Mark Fitzgerald. He's been involved with Andrew for quite awhile. I'm not sure what, if anything, is happening with them now...that's why I'm hiring you. I would like you to keep your eye on Andrew for me. I want to make sure he's not in any kind of trouble."
"This Fitzgerald, what's he look like?"
"Here. I've got some pictures for you. And videotape. Take them with you. Your rate is five hundred a week?"
"Plus expenses," he said. He hesitated before going on. "I gotta say, Dr. Lewis. You seem awfully interested in a roommate to pay this much money, just to make sure he's not in any trouble. You must really like the guy."
"Heās very important to me," I replied, and let him out of my office.
