called you.”
The sheriff nodded. “Well, you got to us first. In the meantime, Ms. Blanchette, I wouldn’t worry about your fiancé too much. I’m sure he’s close by. If he’s not in town, maybe he swung by the winery to surprise you with a bottle of wine. I know I wouldn’t stray too far if I had such an attractive lady waiting for me at home.”
“Well, thank you,” she said coolly. She might have been flattered if he hadn’t been touching her under-things two minutes ago.
“So—do me a favor,” Sheriff Fischer said. “Once your fiancé turns up, I’d appreciate it if you’d pop on over to Rosie’s and give us a call. Let us know he’s okay. If I don’t hear from you in a couple of hours, I’ll be sure to check in.”
Susan nodded. “I’ll do that, thank you again.”
“Can I ask for another favor?” He smiled and licked his lips. “You wouldn’t happen to have something cool to drink for a thirsty policeman, would you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Where are my manners?” Susan started backing toward the kitchen. “Would you like bottled water? I also have some Coke—Coca-Cola, I mean, and root beer.”
“A Coke would hit the spot nicely, thank you.”
She ducked into the kitchen and retrieved two cans of Coke from the refrigerator.
By the time she brought them into the sunroom, Mattie and Deputy Shaffer were back, shaking off their wet hands. “I rode in a police car!” Mattie announced excitedly. He wrapped himself around Susan’s leg.
“We rinsed off our hands with the garden hose, but you better give him the soap and hot water treatment,” the deputy recommended, grinning at her. “You don’t know what kind of cooties get on those salt licks.” The smile faded as he turned to his boss and gave him a set of keys. “The prowler’s back just where you parked it.”
Sheriff Fischer wordlessly took the keys and put them in his pocket.
“Um, here’s a cold drink for the road,” Susan said, handing them each a can of soda.
The deputy thanked her. Sheriff Fischer opened his Coke can, took a sip, and smiled at her. “Y’know, I can stick around—if you’re still a bit uneasy and lonely.”
Susan held Mattie against her. “Oh, I think we’ll be all right. I’d feel better if I knew you were out there looking for Allen. Besides, I’ve already taken up enough of your time. Thanks.”
They left by the back porch. Susan was glad to be rid of that sleazy sheriff, who made her skin crawl. She’d been so afraid he would insist on staying.
She led Mattie into the kitchen, propped him on a step-stool by the sink, and washed his hands thoroughly. “I think we’ll go ahead and have our lunch,” she said, with a glance out the window.
The deputy’s car pulled out of the driveway. But the sheriff’s car remained.
“Is Allen under a dress?” Mattie asked.
“What?” she asked, distracted for a moment. “Um, it’s under arrest, honey. And no, the police are just going to look for Allen, and tell him to hurry home, because we’re worried about him.” She dried off Mattie’s hands with a dish towel. “Will you be a good boy and wait for me on the back porch while I go down to the boat? I left our lunch in the little fridge there.”
Mattie nodded.
Susan looked out the window again.
The sheriff’s patrol car was still in the driveway. She couldn’t see if anyone was actually inside the vehicle. Why didn’t he go already? she thought.
Taking Mattie by the hand, she walked him out the sliding glass door to the back porch. He sat down on the bottom step, grabbed a long stick, and poked at the ground with it.
As she started down toward the dock, Susan turned back to wave at him. She saw the sheriff’s car was still parked beside the house. She noticed something else—the red Coke can sitting on the corner of the porch railing. It was odd that the sheriff would just leave it there.
Hesitating, Susan headed back toward the house—and the driveway.
The cop car finally backed out of the drive, just as she was about twenty feet away. Susan watched him use the turnaround and then continue out the driveway. She retreated toward the house.
“Bizarre,” she murmured. She glanced over at the Coke can on the railing again. “What a pig.” She reached up for the empty can, and felt it was near full. Baffled, she poured it out and then pitched the can in the