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She turned her head toward him but didn’t sit up. “I’m okay,” she said, then she turned her head away.
“Can I bring you a cold one?” he asked.
She turned her head back toward him. “No, thanks.”
“You with somebody?”
“Uh, yeah. He’s surfing.” She waved a thumb at the surf.
“Which one?”
“Does it matter
? Look, I’d like to be left alone.”
“Nobody needs to be alone,” Jimmy said, squatting beside her in the sand.
“I need to be alone,” she said.
“Listen,” he said softly. “I’ve got a new Mustang convertible right up there above us; why don’t you let me show you some of the local sights? Ever seen the Jungle Trail?”
“No, and I don’t care to,” she replied, not looking at him.
“It’s a beautiful drive, lots of wildflowers, even orchids, and wildlife, too-you see deer and raccoons, maybe even a Florida panther.”
“The Florida panther is a myth,” she said. “Now, will you please leave me alone?”
“The Florida panther is no myth,” Jimmy said. “I’ve seen one twice.”
She turned back and looked at him. “Look, do I have to call a cop?”
“No need for that,” Jimmy said, pulling out his wallet. “I’m a cop.” He flashed his badge. “In fact, I’m the cop; I’m the chief of police.” He held the badge closer, so she could read it.
“In that case,” she said, “you ought to know that harassment is against the law, and if I choose to push it, I could get you fired.”
“Listen, lady, who are you going to complain to? I’m the boss.”
She looked around at the other people. “You want me to make a scene? You want me to start screaming? Because I will. NOW GET OUT OF HERE!” she yelled.
“All right, all right,” Jimmy said, standing up and backing away. Other sunbathers were looking at him oddly, now. He climbed the stairs and got back into the Mustang.
“Bitch!” he said aloud to himself, then started the car. He backed out of the parking place and yanked the stick into gear, leaving rubber and a roar behind him.
59
Teddy decided to make his special scrambled eggs on Monday morning. After putting the applewood-smoked bacon in the microwave and the plump Wolferman’s English muffins in the toaster oven, he melted some butter in a small skillet, then added a little milk and a handful of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. While the cheese was melting he whipped up half a dozen eggs with a wire wisk, then poured them into the skillet, turned down the gas flame to low and slowly scrambled them with a spatula.
When the eggs were still soft but not runny, he spooned them onto the plates, added the bacon and muffins and poured two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. As if on cue, Lauren came out of the bedroom with a large handbag over her shoulder. She set the bag on the sideboard and sat down to breakfast.
“Oh, I love these eggs!” she said, tasting them. “I love it all!”
When they were finished, Teddy poured them coffee. “To your last day,” he said, raising his mug.
“I’ll drink to that,” she said, raising her own.
“You look very happy about it,” Teddy said, “but also a little nervous.”
“I’m nervous about telling Hurd,” she said.
