"Indeed. And how often people rely on it in the attempt to placate others."

He leans in a bit, elbows on the table, hands together near his face. His fingers move, tapping against their opposite-hand matches in sequence, almost a rolling motion. He studies her, blue eyes sharp with frank appraisal.

"Neither, actually. I'm a consulting detective. The only one." He drops his hands, fingertips now drumming on the table top. "You're not police, either, you're too sharp for that." She's dressed too well for public sector or private detecting. She'd also never get away with not being noticed, so private work is right out, no surveilling cheating spouses. In-house, but a very professional environment. Insurance? No--legal. Private firm, big city?

"I imagine your firm must do well, steady cases, good cases, to have a full-time investigator on staff."