interest in the fat policeman's eyes over the bare thigh that she did show.
'Everybody' the officer said.
Billy got out last. He looked a little afraid, not at all the cocksure young man anymore, Danny was also pale.
A young police officer walked up from the other car. He carried a shotgun in his hands. He was a big man with curling blond hair. He didn't look friendly.
'Back up against the car, there,' the fat policeman said. 'l want to have a look at you.'
All three of them backed against the car. The police car's headlights seemed to be burning big holes in Marilyn's skin.
'Well,' the policeman said. 'Three little mice. You been drinking, boy?'
He stared at Billy.
'No sir,' Billy said.
The fat officer smiled. He turned to the younger man and handed the younger man his gun. He then took Billy by the arm and walked him to the rear of the car. Neither Danny or Marilyn could see what was happening.
'Shit,' they heard Billy exclaim.
There was silence for a moment and then the officer came back without Billy. He took his gun back from the younger officer.
'You been drinking, boy?' he asked Danny. 'Yes sir,' Danny said quickly.
'That's better,' the officer said. 'I like right answers.'
For the first time he turned his attention to Marilyn. He put one pudgy hand Under her chin and lifted her face to the light.
'I know you,' he said 'you're on my daughter's swim team.'
Marilyn almost gagged from his breath. It smelled of cheap wine. He had been drinking. She tried to see the resemblance to any of the girls on the swim team. She couldn't. He was too fat and ugly.
He released her.
'My name's Officer Drew,' he said. 'I want you to remember me.'
Drew! The name hit Marilyn like a hard blow. He was Leslie's father. God, couldn't he have been anyone else's father beside Leslie's?
'You know why I want to be remembered?' Officer Drew asked.
'No sir,' Danny answered.
'Because I don't like kids who run from me,' Officer Drew answered. 'And I don't like kids who drink. I don't like many kids.'
'Yes sir,' Danny said.
The young officer had Put up his shotgun and now he was searching the car. Billy came around the comer. He looked in pain. He was clutching his stomach and his face was a sickly white.
'You'll be all right, son,' he said kindly. 'Must have been something you ate.'
'Yes sir,' Billy agreed.
'Hey, Drew,' the young officer said. 'Look what I found.'
The young officer came around the car with Marilyn's panties. She almost fainted. She remembered that Billy had put them in the dash.
'Panties,' Drew observed. 'Now which one of you wears these?'
He looked at the three faces and the broad grin came back to 'his face.
'These. yours, young lady?' he asked. 'These your panties?'
'Why don't you leave her alone?' Danny asked him. Danny was furious but he was also afraid. The words had been choked out of him.
'Take us to jail,' he said. 'Or write a ticket or do what you have to, but leave her alone.'
Marilyn was thankful for his interference. She didn't want to answer the question about the panties. The broad grin left Officer Drew's face.
His arm shot out and caught Danny by the throat. He lifted him and shook him like a master might shake a disobedient puppy.
Danny was white faced when Officer Drew released him.
'You shut the hell up,' he said. 'I'!1 let you know when I want you to talk.'
Danny may have still been mad but the courage had been shook out of him. He was quiet as Officer Drew turned his attention back to Marilyn. 'Are these Yours?' he asked pleasantly. 'Of course not,' Marilyn said.
'You're lying' he said. 'Why are you lying to me?'
'I'm not,' Marilyn said. 'I'm not.'
Marilyn could see the big blond policeman behind Officer Drew smiling and licking his lips. He was enjoying this. Officer Drew turned back to Danny.
'Are these hers?' he asked Danny.
Danny gave Marilyn a frightened look. He didn't know how to answer. His throat was suddenly dry. He knew Officer Drew was capable of hurting him very badly. He didn't know what he'd' done to Billy but Billy was not standing straight yet.
'I asked you a question,' Officer Drew said. 'I'm waiting for an answer.'
'No,' Danny said weakly.
Officer Drew made the motion of handing his to the blond officer. Danny caught his ann.
'No,' he said. 'They're hers. They're hers. Don't take me back there.'
Marilyn couldn't blame him. Danny was afraid.
'I thought so,' Officer Drew said. 'Now, what was so hard about telling the truth?'
Officer Drew placed his fat hands on his hips and he began to march back and forth in front of them. He seemed deep in thought.
'Now what am I going to do with them?' he asked the other police officer.
'Put them in jail,' the officer said.
'Now that wouldn't be right,,' Officer Drew said. 'They're not really all that drunk.,
'Maybe not,' the officer said.
'You've learned your lesson, boy,' he said, stopping in front of Billy. 'Haven't you?'
'yes sir,' Billy said.
'And you?' he asked Danny,
'Yes sir,' Danny said.
'You're not going to run from us anymore,' Officer Drew said.
'No sir,' Danny said.
'I thought not,' Officer Drew said. 'Okay. You take your sick friend there and take him home. We'll take care of the girl.'
'Oh no,' Marilyn said. 'Danny, you can't leave me here with them.'
'That's not…' Danny started.
He was stopped when Officer Drew balled a fist up and smashed him lightly in the mouth. Even a light blow from Officer Drew's fat hand' was enough to knock Danny to the ground.
'Now get up and wipe your mouth off, boy,' Officer Drew said. 'Then take your friend and get your ass out of here.'
Danny got up slowly. His eyes were hotly furious but there was nothing he could do. The blond officer looked as if he wanted Danny to do something. Danny helped Billy into the car. Billy was still white with pain.
'Danny,' Marilyn whispered.
'I'm sorry, Marilyn,' Danny said. ' I really am.'
'Get your ass Out of here,' Officer Drew said. Danny got into the car and started it. He carefully edged his car around the police car and then took off down the road. Marilyn watched his car disappear with a growing apprehension.
She was afraid they were going to take her home to her mother and tell her mother everything, but one look at their faces told her she had more to be afraid of than just her mother.
'What would you say, Alan,' Officer Drew said, 'is the kind of girl who rides around with two boys with her panties off.'
