Page 52 of Wild Escape

If LJ wasn't careful, he was going to get fired from another job. From the noises Mrs. Stevenson was making, I don't think she was going to complain to anyone—except maybe to Sheriff Daniels. She shrieked when I knocked on the gate and scrambled to cover herself.

Mrs. Stevenson was a good-looking woman. Long raven hair that danced between her shoulders, tan skin, full lips, and a body that might excuse LJ’s poor judgment.

"Excuse me," I said, averting my eyes, flashing my badge. "Coconut County. We need to talk to Lawrence.”

27

With a towel around his waist, LJ talked to us at the gate. Mrs. Stevenson had covered herself in a terrycloth robe. She was not a happy camper.

"Looks like this job comes with a few perks," I said.

LJ shrugged.

"I'm guessing this is what got you fired from your last job.”

"That woman’s husband came home early. What are you gonna do?"

"How about not sleeping with somebody's wife," Jack quipped.

LJ sneered at him. "Is there something I can help you with?”

"Is this going to take long?" Mrs. Stevenson asked. "Because my husband's going to be home in an hour and a half, and we have some unfinished business to take care of."

"This shouldn't take long, ma'am," I said.

She glared at us. "You two always sneak up on people like this? Isn’t there some kind of law against this? Aren't you trespassing?”

"If you want to make a formal complaint, you can call the department. I'm sure they will be happy to address your concerns and get statements from the witnesses present. The complaint would, of course, be public record. But your husband would probably never find out,” I said, thick with sarcasm. “You should do what you feel is right.”

Her eyes narrowed at me before she spun around and marched inside.

Something told me she wasn't going to file a complaint.

"So what do you want?" LJ asked.

"How about you tell me where you were last night?"

"I was at home. Why?"

"Your brother has a criminal record," I said.

"Yeah, so? Everybody makes mistakes.”

"I'm wondering if he made another mistake.”

LJ's eyes narrowed at me. "What are you getting at?”

"Somebody broke into the Caldwell residence last night. Stole an item of considerable value. Shot Mr. Caldwell in the process."

LJ's eyes rounded with surprise. "Shot?”

I nodded.

"Man, that sucks. I dig that guy.”

"You do a lot of work for the Caldwells?”

"I've been out to the house three or four times. Always cool. Tipped well.”