He engaged her 
In conversation 
A few comments on her poems at first 
Then casual conversation 
Silly stuff really 
But she seemed to enjoy it 
 
He discovered little things about her 
She was an E.R nurse 
Had wanted kids, but never had em... 
(Likely because buddy was always off 
At various meetings and business dinners 
With Suzy-Whats-Her-Name-Half-His-Age... 
 
And so... 
It continued... 
For weeks, he got to know her... 
(She wasn't bad looking either 
 Hubby had provided a photo in case it was required... 
He had been surprised that the doofus 
Even carried a picture of her! !)   
 
He discovered  
That she had a wild sense of humour 
And loved to laugh 
He became the man that she was searching for... 
A friend... 
A confidant... 
Someone who gave life wings 
 
Flirting with women was routine business for him 
Getting to actually know them... 
And listen to their concerns... 
Made him squimish...to say the least... 
Single malt scotch... 
Made it tolerable 
 
For weeks he kept the conversation going 
Telling himself 
'It's just a job...focus! ! ' 
He tried his damndest  
To get her to commit 
Internet adultery 
He couldn't rush things 
Or she might get suspicious 
Problem was... 
Sooner or later 
He had to deliver 
And it just wasn't happening!  
 
Instead of finding a cheap tart 
He found a warm blooded human being 
Who just wanted someone she could reach out to... 
A very warm, genuine and real... 
'Damn! ! Of all the gin joints in all the world... 
Yea yea...corny! ! ...' 
 
His thoughts drifted off 
To scenes from Casablanca 
When his phone rang... 
 
To be continued...
Dee Daffodil
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/just-a-gumshoe-part-3/