Squinting, Huey takes a hit on his cigarette. “So the guy likes fruit, big deal.”

Realizing my error, I say, “No, no, no. I’m talking about the magazine. You know, Michigan Cherries.”

“Okay, so the guy’s into the low-class stuff.” He looks off to his left, eyeing his store’s high-class adult magazine section. “Personally, I only offer the best, which explains why I don’t carry Michigan Cherries.” He flicks ash onto the brown tiled floor. “Ramsey, do you have anything else?”

“Yeah. I found a phone number on the back of the magazine.”

“What number?”

“I think it’s your wife’s number: 729-8274.”

His eyes bulge like softballs.

My heart rate skyrockets. “And if he has your wife’s phone number … well, I’m thinking maybe … you know … ” I trail off, too embarrassed to speculate any further.

He doesn’t say anything at first, but it’s creepy how his face gets all red and this look of wild-animal-like rage fills his eyes. I take a few steps backward. He mutters something under his breath like “I can’t believe she’s … ” but his words meander off into a series of mumbles.

“You okay, Huey?”

My voice must bring him back to reality, because he immediately clears his throat and takes a deep breath, during which his face resumes its normal color.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for the info. Nice job. Keep digging.” He offers me another fifty.

“Gladly.” I step forward and take the money, the easiest hundred bucks I’ve ever made. “Take this guy down, Huey. He’s scum.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just keep doing your job.” I nod and turn around. And then he goes, “Hey, Ramsey?” I stop and turn. He says, “I’m glad you’re my new stock boy. The timing couldn’t be better.”

“Thanks, Huey.”

Fetching the mop and bucket, I think about what Huey said under his breath (“I can’t believe she’s … ”). And then I remember Tank saying he’s pretty sure his dad is seeing somebody. So, of course, my theory that Dale Foster’s new woman is Huey’s wife seems to be on target, which means I can add dating another man’s wife to my “Reasons Why Dale Foster Must Go Down” list.

I also realize what a beautiful situation I’m presently in. My new boss is paying me cash on the side to get information on a guy I need information on myself. From now on, as I dig for Huey I’ll pursue my own interests as well, the most important of which is trying to figure out where Tank gets his juice from and whether Big Dale plays any role in that.