Page 27 of Tide and Seek
“What are the odds?”I laughed gruffly.“Plus, after finding that body on the beach, the police will probably be interviewing everyone nearby.We don’t want to interfere with their investigation.”
“No, of course not.I’m merely talking about helping the police in relation to the burglary at my place.It’s obvious they’re stretched too thin.While I understand why a murder would take priority over a burglary, I don’t want what happened at my house to be forgotten.It was a crime, after all, even if nothing was taken.Somebody broke into my personal space.I don’t like thinking that person or persons is still out there.”
“I understand.Being the victim of a crime makes you feel like you have a bullseye on your back.But I think maybe we should spend the day inventorying things instead of talking to Luke.That way you can be sure if anything is missing.The insurance company will need that list, don’t forget.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”He leaned back in the booth.“Gonzalez said the security footage showed a guy in a ski mask.That doesn’t sound like it was just kids fooling around, does it?”
“Hard to say.Could be a kid copying what he thinks a crook might do.”I finally ate the chip I’d been holding, wincing at the soggy texture.“But either way, the inventory is important.”
“Okay.Okay.We can do the inventory.”He lifted his uneasy gaze to mine.“But if they come back because they didn’t get what they wanted the first time around, I’m going to be very annoyed.”
“I don’t think they’ll be back.”I tried to sound reassuring, but the truth was I had no idea if the thief might try again.I had no idea why they broke in to begin with.“They can see someone is living there now.”
“Sure, but only temporarily.”
I couldn’t tell if there was regret in his voice or not, but then the conversation ended because Harry returned with a sizzling plate of carne asada, and the busboy arrived to refill our waters and replenish our chips.
“This sure looks good,” I said, cutting into the tender marinated slices of skirt steak.The meat was charred to perfection at the edges while remaining tender and pink in the center.The steak was accompanied by caramelized onions and blistered jalapeños that gave off a tempting aroma of mesquite and lime.
“Trust me, it tastes even better than it looks.”Max sliced into the plump, charred poblano peppers stuffed with melted queso Oaxaca.
I took a bite of my food and groaned.“Wow.”
Max smiled, clearly pleased.“It’s delicious, right?”
“It’s fantastic.This isn’t just lunch,” I said, eyeing a forkful of steak.“This is a feast.”
“I knew you’d like it.”He looked more relaxed now that he had half a margarita in him.“Want to try a bite of my chile relleno?”
“Sure.”Affection nudged me because he looked like a kid sharing his favorite video game.
He held out a forkful of his food, and as I took the bite into my mouth, a husky female voice behind me said, “Maxwell Thornton.Is that really you?”
I turned to see a tall, slender woman in a paisley silk blouse and black pencil skirt standing there.Her dark hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and she wore dangling gold hoop earrings.
When she moved closer, her gaze fell on me.She blinked a few times, and then gave me a flirty smile.“Well, hello, I’m Bethany.”She held out a bejeweled hand.
Quickly swallowing the food in my mouth, I said, “Nice to meet you.I’m Royce.”I shook her hand and her skin was velvety soft against mine.I stifled the desire to cough because her sweet perfume was cloying, and it was awkward when she held my hand a bit too long.
“Is that a Texas drawl I hear?”Her red lips twitched and she finally released my fingers.
“Yes, ma’am.”I found the intensity of her stare uncomfortable.I wasn’t the shy type, but Bethany’s energy was almost aggressive.I suspected she was what some folks called a man-eater.
She returned her gaze to Max.“Aren’t you going to say hello, Maxwell?”
It was clear from Max’s chilled, unfriendly expression he wasn’t happy to see her.Surprisingly, he still made an attempt at politeness, half rising to shake her hand.“How are you, Bethany?”
“Oh, I’m doing fabulously.”She smirked.“Better than you from what I’ve heard.Rumor has it you gave up being a surgeon and ran off to Texas to be a boring ol’ GP.Is that where you found this delightful morsel?”Her gaze once more returned to me.
Her flirting was so heavy-handed, I suspected it was designed to annoy Max.Now why she’d want to annoy him was a mystery to me.“Are you in the medical field as well?”I asked, curious to figure out exactly how she knew Max.
She threw her head back, laughing, which caused the people at nearby tables to glance over.She didn’t seem to notice, but I suspected she wouldn’t have cared if she did.Bethany appeared to be the type who thought the world revolved around her.
“God, no.”She put her red-tipped fingers on my shoulder.“I’m a lawyer.”
“Is that right?”
She pursed her lips.“I represented Maxwell on a case a while back.”
