Plopp.
Before I could say or do something stupid, I scooted over on the log to put some space between Carlos and me. We’d tried the couple thing. It didn’t work, for either of us. Now, I could read the amusement in his eyes, even in the lantern light. I decided to extinguish that arrogant smirk by doing the one thing he’d never expect.
“Listen, I wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I acted today. Thank you for trying to help Mama. I was a jerk for pushing you out of the way.’’
If the night had even a breath of air in it, it would have knocked him on his ass. He actually sputtered before he choked out a response to my apology. “You’re welcome.’’
As long as I was doing the unexpected, I decided to go for broke.
“What’s up between you and Austin, Carlos? I won’t argue that the girl is gorgeous, but she doesn’t seem like your type.’’
He raised his eyebrows at me. “I didn’t know you cared.’’
“I’m not saying I care,’’ I lied. “I just don’t want to see her do you the way she’s done Trey. That girl is trouble, amigo.’’
He picked up one of the pebbles from my pile and skipped it across the water.
“She’s not all bad, Mace. She left the trail for a couple of days to go home and take care of her sick grandmother,’’ he said. “But as long as we’re speaking of people who are trouble, you and Trey seem like pretty good friends.’’
His tone gave away nothing; his face was a blank. I decided to stop playing games.
“Listen, I’m going to be honest with you,’’ I said. “Trey was the king of my high school, way out of my league. He was gorgeous and popular, and he could have any girl he chose. I won’t lie: I was flattered when he started flirting with me on this ride. But I don’t feel for him the same way I felt . . .’’ I paused, my eyes on the ground.
Now that I was into it, I wasn’t sure I wanted to confess. Honesty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“The same way you felt about what?’’ he prodded, his body as still as the night.
About you, I wanted to say. I don’t feel about Trey the way I did about you.
Instead, I found some words I could hide behind. “I just don’t feel right about Trey,’’ I finally said.
“Well, that’s good to know,’’ Carlos released the pebble he’d been holding, firing it into the pond. “I’m not sure I feel right about Trey either. So, would you like me to tell you a secret now?’’
I nodded, not lifting my face.
“I’m not the least bit interested in Austin,’’ he said. “You’re the one who raised my suspicions about her, about how she might be responsible for vandalism and maybe more. Who knows? She may even be tied to Lawton’s death. I want information from her, and I’m trying to get it.’’ Another pebble sailed into the water. “It’s called police work, Mace.’’
I felt like someone had just handed me a hundred-dollar birthday check with a slice of chocolate cake on the side. I even overlooked his tutoring tone.
“Well, have you found out anything?’’ I asked, raising my eyes to his.
“No. She’s actually smarter than she seems.’’ He dropped the rest of the rocks onto the ground and brushed his hands on his jeans. “She prattles on and acts the fool. But she never gives much away.’’
“Well, see if you can find out whether she really is a novice when it comes to cracking the cow whip. I don’t believe for a minute she accidentally hit my poor horse.’’
“Yes, ma’am.’’ Carlos saluted me, but he was smiling as he did. “Any other tips to help me improve my interrogation technique?’’
I traced the ridges of the bark on the oak log where we sat. I watched moths beat themselves against the glass dome of the lantern.
“Well, there is one thing I’d like to know about interrogations,’’ I finally said.
“And what would that be?’’
“Do you ever have to kiss a subject like Austin to get her to tell you what she knows?’’
He put a hand to each side of my face and pulled me closer. “Do you mean like this?’’ his lips brushed over my eyelids, first one and then the other. “Or like this?’’ He brought the full pressure of his mouth against mine.
“Yes, like that,’’ I murmured, tasting his tongue.
“No, I’ve never kissed a subject like this,’’ he said, as he nipped gently at my bottom lip.
“Good,’’ I said, tugging at the buttons on his shirt as I drew his body to mine. “Because I don’t think that’s standard police procedure.’’
___
Belle’s hair gleamed like polished copper in the firelight. A camera around her neck, she sat with Trey on the ground by Mama. As I came into the clearing, Maddie pointed her chin at the beer can in Trey’s hand. Beside her, Marty gave me a shake of her head and a sad expression.
“Well, there you are, honey,’’ Mama called. “We were starting to think a gator crawled out of a pond and got you. What in the world have you been doing for all this time in the woods?’’
I hoped there wasn’t enough light for them to see me blush.
“Just sitting,’’ I lied.
Maddie raised her eyebrows. “Your vest is inside out, Mace.’’
“It’s reversible, Maddie,’’ I lied again.
Carlos and I cut our woodsy interlude short because he’d promised to play poker with a couple of retired Miami cops now living near Sebring. I returned to the campfire alone.
“Shouldn’t we be getting over to hear the Cracker songwriter?’’ I said, changing the subject. “We don’t want to miss any of his new songs.’’
Sal said, “The guy who plays bass with him got a flat tire on the way here. They’re going to start late. The fire’s nice and warm. Why don’t you have a seat with us while we wait?’’
Five sets of eyes looked up at me, all except for Trey’s. His hat was pulled down low, and he held onto that beer like it was an anchor in a fast current.
Belle gave me a friendly smile. “Please, Mace. Do sit down.’’
Her voice was strong; her eyes clear. Whatever she’d been taking last night, she wasn’t taking it now. I took a seat on the ground.
“I didn’t get the chance to thank you for coming to look for me last night in the cypress stand,’’ she said
She glanced quickly at Trey, who didn’t seem to notice.
“Don’t mention it, Belle. I know y’all are having a rough time. Anything I can do to help, I’m glad to.’’
“Oh, I’m sure you are,’’ Trey said, his words slurred by booze and what sounded like spite.
“Excuse me?’’ I said to him.
He pushed the hat back on his head so he could look at me. Tonight, it was Trey and not his sister who seemed to have trouble focusing. “I was just sayin’ I’m sure you’d be glad to help, if only you could tear yourself away from that smart-ass cop from Miamuh.’’
Sal cleared his throat. Marty started fooling with the laces on her boots. Maddie, principal-style, said, “There’s no excuse for foul language, Trey.’’
I started to defend myself when Marty caught my eye. Very subtly, she put a finger to her lips.
Belle said, “I apologize for my brother, Mace. Trey and I cut through the woods on our way here. We saw you and Detective Martinez . . .’’ She searched for the right word, “talking.’’
Sal coughed. Mama said, “Oh my!’’ Trey jammed his hat back down over his eyes.