Sunset Beach(125)

“Doesn’t mean your dad killed her,” Jonah objected. “Just because they had an affair.”

“Vera Rennick has this true-crime blog now,” Drue said. “I found it online. When I went to see her, she told me that a few months before Colleen disappeared, she insisted they go to Mastry’s. For lunch. A place women just didn’t go back then. While they were there, Colleen stopped to talk to two uniformed St. Pete police officers, who were sort of flirting with her.”

“And you think it was Brice. And who? Zee?”

“Maybe. I showed her a photo of them. She wasn’t sure. But Dad and Jimmy Zee were best friends even back then. They were in the Marine Corps together in Vietnam, and when they got home, they went through the police academy together,” Drue said. She shook her head, as though trying to shake off the disturbing images that had taken up residence there.

“Maybe you should straight-up ask Zee about it,” Jonah suggested. “Get it all out in the open.”

“Maybe, once all this stuff with Ben is over, I will,” Drue said lightly. “I’m only one woman, you know. I can only solve one mystery at a time.”

They’d turned around at the Gulf Vista, and wandered slowly back in the direction of Coquina Cottage. They paused and Drue frowned at the sight of the blue tarp draped over the roof.

“I’m gonna have to break down and get a new roof,” she said with a sigh. “I got a notice from the city last week. I’m in violation of some stupid building code.”

“The joys of home ownership,” Jonah said. He reached out and turned her toward him. “You know, we were supposed to have a do-over tonight. I had dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant near the Vinoy, and big plans for us.”

“And I’m sorry about that,” she said earnestly. “How can I ever make it up to you?”

He kissed her lightly, and she leaned in and wound her arms around his neck, and the kiss deepened. When they finally parted, she sighed again.

“What’s that?” he asked, looking concerned. “Regret?”

“A little,” she said. “Not about this, just about the way things started with us. And about the time I’ve wasted since then, hating your guts.”

“But lately, my irresistible charm has grown on you, hasn’t it?”

“Don’t push your luck,” she told him.

“Maybe we could continue this conversation inside?” he asked. “Since we’re both too tired to sleep, possibly we could find some other distraction?”

“You’re relentless. You know that?”

“So I’ve been told.”

They picked up their shoes on the edge of the deck and went into the darkened house.

“Hey there.” They heard the click of a light switch, the lamp on the table beside the sofa.

Ben sat in the armchair. He had the revolver, and it was pointed at Drue. “Welcome back.”

He wore a baseball cap with a backward bill and a blue and white polyester bicycle racing jersey, with the words TEAM DANGERBOY written in script across it.

Drue took a step backward and her breath caught in her chest.

“What do you want?” Jonah asked, his voice menacing.

“Just thought I’d drop by to check in on Drue.”

“To make sure she was dead?” Jonah asked. “You’re a sick bastard, you know that?”

“Aren’t we all sick bastards, deep down inside?” Ben giggled a little at his own joke.

“The thing is, I was just about to leave the tournament. In fact, I was standing outside, about to head home on the Vespa, when I saw half a dozen cop cars roll up. And I said to myself, ‘Dude, this is not good.’ So instead of going home, I thought I’d come out here and pay Drue a visit. And maybe borrow her car. I think that’s fair, don’t you? Since I’m the one that got it running again?”

Drue stared. “Are you high?”

“Just a little bit,” he said, giggling again. “I’d offer you some of mine, Drue, but we both know it doesn’t agree with you.”

“So take the car and go,” Jonah said. “You got your money from the insurance people, right? I’m sure you weren’t planning on sticking around, especially now. So just go.”

“See, the money thing is off,” Ben said, his mood turning angry. “Everything was all set, until Drue decided to stick her nose where it didn’t belong and fuck me over.”

He waved the revolver from Jonah to Drue, then back to Drue. “Rookie move, Drue. Leaving a gun in an unlocked house. Whose gun is it, just out of curiosity?”

“It’s my dad’s,” Drue said. “You hurt me, Ben, and he’s coming after you. And he’ll never stop until he’s caught you and locked you up.”

“No doubt,” Ben said. “But I’ll be long gone by the time he figures it out.”

He smiled at his former colleague. “Hey, my man. You don’t mind if I borrow that sweet Audi of yours, instead of that crappy car of hers? I mean, making a getaway in a white Ford Bronco, it didn’t work out so good for the last guy, did it?” Ben snapped his fingers and held out his hand, palm up.

“Fuck off,” Jonah said. “This ain’t Grand Theft Auto.”