I hesitated.
“I’m all ears,” he said.
“They were harassing people at the casino,” Vinnie said. I was surprised when he jumped in, but now there was no stopping him. “A couple of nights ago. I had to throw them out. Yesterday, they came up to Paradise and tried to pick a fight with Alex. Even though he helped save their lives the night before, when they wrecked their boat.”
“Those were the guys on Waishkey Bay?” Maven said. “Where that old bridge runs through the water?”
“The old pilings, yes.”
“So why did they try to pick a fight?”
“Who knows? They thought Alex took something valuable from the wreck. Some kind of box that was in the boat. Which he didn’t, of course. But instead of being thankful, here they were threatening him. I showed up at the Glasgow Inn just in time.”
“Is that right, McKnight? This man saved your ass? Probably not the first time, eh?”
I wasn’t sure what to say.
Maven didn’t wait for me. “So how did this whole thing end up here in my town?”
“Like I said, I threw them out of Bay Mills. I figured they’d end up at the Kewadin. I recognized their vehicle outside the Palace.”
“So you went in and attacked them.”
“I confronted them, yes. They were going to come back, Chief. It was only a matter of time. You should have seen these guys. You should have heard what they were saying to Alex. I was just trying to look out for my friend. I take full responsibility for what happened.”
“Now wait a minute-,” I said.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Maven said to me. “You don’t deserve to have a friend like this.”
“Just hold on.” Count to three, I told myself. Don’t leap over the desk and strangle him.
“I will grant you one thing,” Maven said. “There is something not quite kosher about these boys. Besides being stupid enough to run a boat into an old bridge.”
“Who are they, anyway?” Vinnie said. “Where are they from?”
“All three are from downstate, from around Detroit. I’d say they’re just up here for vacation, but hell, with the weather we’ve been having?”
“They’re from Detroit? Where are they staying up here?”
Maven looked at him. “Just hold on right there, Mr. LeBlanc. That’s the kind of trick McKnight would pull. You’ve got to understand, this whole thing has to stop right here. Somebody’s going to get seriously hurt, or even killed.”
“All they have to do is leave,” Vinnie said. “Just go on back home.”
“They may do just that. I hope they do. But at the same time, I have to warn you. If you go after them again, I’ll throw away the key. Do I make myself clear?”
“You’re not charging us?”
“I could. Your friends had no interest in filing assault charges, but I could still ring you up for disturbing the peace, destruction of property…Which reminds me, the Palace has a list of damages here. I trust you guys will take care of that?”
“Yes,” I said. “Of course.”
“Good. Do we have an understanding on what you’re not going to do next?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Mr. LeBlanc?”
Vinnie thought about it. “Yes, Chief.”
“I keep telling myself,” Maven said. “The next time I have McKnight in my office, that’s the day I retire.”
“Maybe you should,” I said. “Go someplace where they actually have summers.”
“That would make you happy, wouldn’t it. Seeing me leave.”
“I think you’d miss me.”
“It’s always a pleasure, McKnight.” He stood up and opened the door for us. “Now get the hell out of here.”
We did. We went outside, each of us taking a deep breath of fresh air. It wasn’t raining, but there was a cold wind coming off the lake. The Palace was close enough to walk to. We got in Vinnie’s truck, still parked on the street from the night before, and then he took me over to the Kewadin.
“You need to get some ice on your hands,” I said. As he drove I could see how cut up and swollen they were. Both of them.
“I will.”
“You surprised me in there. You played Maven like a drum.”
“It wasn’t hard. He obviously dislikes you so much. Anything that makes you look bad he’s gonna fall for.”
“Yeah, good thinking.” I shook my head and looked out my window at the miserable day.
When we got to the Kewadin, he pulled up next to my truck. The parking lot was still half empty.
“What are you going to do now?” I said.
“I’m not sure. Maybe go see if Caroline’s okay.”
“You’re not going after them, are you?”
“How could I? I don’t know where they are.”
“Vinnie…”
“I’ll see you later. If you’re around, maybe we can get some work done.”
“I’ll be there,” I said. I started to get out. “Please don’t do anything.”
“I’ll see you at the Glasgow.”
I closed the door and watched him drive off. I could only wonder when I’d see him again, and if he’d be in one piece.
When I got back to Paradise, I thought about stopping in at the Glasgow. I would have killed for one of Jackie’s omelets just then. But I went up to my cabin first and I was glad that I did. There was a message on my machine. It was from Natalie.
“Alex…You’re not there…I just wanted to see how you’re doing. You asked me to call you tonight. I guess you’re out. Anyway, things are getting hot here. We might be making a move soon. Finally. I’ll try to call you tomorrow. Have a good night. Bye.”
She sounded a little lost. Maybe a little pissed-off that I wasn’t there, after I bugged her to call me so much the last time I talked to her. I couldn’t blame her. She probably thought I was down at the Glasgow, drinking beer while my phone rang off the hook. Little did she know.
I got some ice out, wrapped it up in a towel, and put the whole thing over the knuckles on my right hand. I lay down on the bed. I could hear the wind blowing. I thought I heard it start to rain again, but couldn’t be sure. I was content to stay inside for now and wonder.
You don’t sleep well in jail. That’s one thing I had learned. I felt like I could stay right here on the bed for a week.
But no…
I should do something…
What? What should I do? What…
When I woke up, the ice had melted. I was holding a wet towel. My hand was still sore, and now I was hungry as all hell. I looked at the clock. I had slept for more than three hours.
I took a shower, put clean clothes on, and looked for anything edible I might have in my refrigerator.
You’re stalling, I thought. You’re looking for an excuse to stay here in case Natalie calls.
My choices were a can of baked beans or spaghetti with no sauce. I’ll go to the Glasgow, I thought. Check on Vinnie on my way down there, see if he’s home yet. Eat something, then come back. She probably won’t call until tonight, anyway.
As I was on my way out the door, the phone rang.
It was her.
