country kitchen and twice the size of the dining room. In the breakfast nook were an old oak table and four paint- splattered folding chairs. There
were three double-hung windows above the old enamel sink, overlooking the screened porch and the back lot. Her yard was
long and narrow, and in the distance he could see a dock jutting into the murky water beyond. An aluminum outboard boat was tethered to one of the posts.
'Do you fish off that dock?'
'Sometimes,' she said. 'But I like my dad's dock better. I catch more fish there.'
There were three doors off the back hallway. One led to the screened porch, another opened to a freshly painted bathroom, and the third led to the garage. 'There's another bathroom at the top of the stairs. Your bedroom is on the left.'
Theo didn't immediately go upstairs. He dropped his bag on the steps, checked the back door lock, shaking his head because it was so weak a ten-year-old could have gotten it open. Then he looked at the windows on the first floor. When he returned to the kitchen, he said, 'Anyone could have climbed in your windows. Not one of them was locked.'
'I know,' she admitted. 'I'll keep them locked from now on.'
'I'm not trying to frighten you,' he said, 'but as far as the vandalism-'
'Would you mind waiting until after we eat? It's been a stressful day.'
She turned around and went to the refrigerator. She could hear the stairs squeak as Theo went up. The old iron bed in the guest room had a lumpy mattress, and she knew his feet were going to hang over the rail. She also knew he'd never say a word about any discomfort because he was a gentleman.
She loved his Boston accent. The thought popped into her mind as she was stacking vegetables on the counter, and she immediately pushed it aside. Yes, Boston. A world away. Then she sighed. Theo had come to fish and to return a favor, she decided. He would help sort out this mess she'd gotten into, and then he would go back to Boston.
'End of story.'
'What did you say?'
She flinched. 'I was talking to myself.'
He was wearing a pair of old, faded jeans and a gray T-shirt that had definitely seen better days. His white tennis shoes were also gray, and there was a hole in one of the toes. She thought he looked incredibly sexy.
'What's so funny?'
'You. I expected pressed and creased jeans, I guess,' she said. 'I'm kidding,' she quickly added when she saw his frown.
'You fit right in… except for that gun.'
'I'll be happy when I can give this sucker back. I don't like guns, but the authorities back in Boston have asked me to wear it
until the furor over my last case dies down.'
'Have you ever had to shoot anyone?'
'No, but I haven't given up hope,' he said with a sly grin. 'May I have that apple?'
He took a bite out of it before she gave him permission. 'Damn, I'm hungry. What are you fixing?'
'Grilled fish with vegetables and rice. Is that okay?'
'I don't know. It sounds a little too healthy for me. I like junk food.'
'Too bad. You're eating healthy in my house.'
'After dinner, how about we sit down and talk about what's going on in your life.'
'Like what?'
'Like who in this town wants to screw with you,' he said. 'Sorry, I should have said, who has a grudge.' '
'I've heard worse,' she said. 'I used to have quite a mouth myself,' she boasted. 'When I was a little girl. I picked up the colorful language from my brothers. Daddy said I could make a grown man blush, but he nipped that in the bud.'
'How? Soap in your mouth?'
'Oh, no, nothing like that.' She turned on the faucet and began to wash the green onions. 'He just told me that every time I used
a bad word, my mother cried.'
'So he used guilt.'
'Exactly.'
'Your dad talks about her as though…'
'She's waiting at home for him.'
'Yes.'
She nodded. 'Daddy likes to talk things over with her.'
'How'd she die?'
'She had a massive stroke while she was in labor with me. She never recovered, and she eventually died.'
The phone rang, interrupting the conversation. Michelle wiped her hands oh a towel and answered. Her father was calling from The Swan. She could hear glasses clinking.
Theo leaned against the counter and finished his apple while he waited for Michelle to tell him what she wanted him to do to
help with dinner. His stomach growled in anticipation, and he looked around the kitchen for something to snack on. The woman didn't keep any junk food around. How could she drink a cold beer without a handful of potato chips? That seemed almost
criminal to him.
'Do you mind?' he asked, pointing to the cabinets.
She waved him ahead, and he immediately started searching the shelves for something more to eat. Jake was doing most of
the talking on the phone. Every minute or two Michelle would try to get a word in,
'But, Daddy… we were just fixing… yes, Daddy. I understand. All right. I'll go right over… Why does Theo have to go with me? Honestly, Daddy, the man came here to fish… No, I wasn't arguing. Yes, sir. I'll call you as soon as we get back.'
Then she laughed, and it was such a joyful sound, Theo smiled in reaction. 'No, Daddy, I don't think Theo wants any more of
your gumbo.'
After she hung up the phone, she put the fish back in the refrigerator. 'Sorry, but dinner's going to have to wait a little while.
Daryl Waterson is having trouble with his hand, and Daddy told him I'd drive over there and look at it. Daryl's probably just bandaged it too tight again. I'd insist that you stay here and relax, or start dinner for me, but my car's at The Swan and Daddy thinks you ought to go with me. Do you mind?'
Since he didn't have any intention of letting Michelle out of his sight until they had had a talk about her situation, he didn't mind at all. 'No problem,' he said. 'Daryl's the big kid's dad? The teenager who came into the bar looking for me? What was his name?'
'Elliott,' she said. 'And yes, Daryl's his dad.'
'Maybe we could drive through a McDonald's on the way. Get some french fries and a Big Mac.'
'Do you just not care about your arteries?'
It was the way she asked the question that made him laugh. She'd sounded so appalled. 'Sure I do. So how about it?'
'There aren't any McDonald's in Bowen.'
He ran upstairs to get his car keys while she went into her office to get her medical bag. Theo beat her to the front door and waited.
'You've got your house key?' he asked.
She patted her pocket. 'Got it.'
