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"They don't have a lost and found at the hospital?" Ski asked.
"I checked around. Didn't see one. I was in a hurry."
"So you had to turn on the phone in order to discover who it belonged to."
Dodge gave a half shrug, a very unapologetic half shrug.
Ski said, "I'll see that Mrs. Lofland gets it back."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate it."
They exchanged another long, assessing stare, then Ski motioned for Dodge to climb into the SUV. He went around the hood, and Ski heard him cursing as his city shoes sought purchase on the steep bank of the ditch.
As they drove past the car parked at the end of the lane leading to the house, Dodge remarked on it. "I noticed him there this afternoon. Security guard?"
"Reserve deputy. We've got a dozen men and women we can't afford to keep on the payroll, but we use them in emergencies. There's another one watching the dock."
"Bumped into him earlier," Dodge said. "He looked me over good."
Ski smiled, thinking I'll bet he did. He said, "I don't want to take any chances that Starks will come back and carry out his threat to kill Ms. Malone."
"I'm sure you don't. Her mama is a town big shot. If something happened to Caroline King's daughter, your boss would have your ass."
Ski gave him a hard look. "That's a lousy thing to say."
"Sue me." Then, "Okay, okay, that was a potshot." After a moment, he asked, "What about the municipal police? Are they of any help to you?"
"Five-man operation. Mostly they break up fights at the high school football games and organize the Fourth of July parade."
"I figured."
"We of the sheriff's office are the main peace officers. It's up to us--"
"Up to you."
Ski shrugged. "Up to me to find Starks."
"Well, he's not at the Cypress Lodge. I've already checked."
"Thanks," Ski said drily. "I'll mark it off my list." Then after a short pause, "I thought you might be bunking out here at Ms. King's house."
Dodge stayed stubbornly silent, ignoring Ski's bait and saying nothing as they approached the house. The headlights swept the front door just as Caroline came through it and stepped onto the porch. She looked relieved when she saw Dodge in the passenger seat.
As he alighted, she said, "I was beginning to think you'd fallen into the lake or that a gator had got you."
"You've got gators?"
She looked back and forth between Dodge and Ski, who came up the steps along with him. Obviously she was wondering where and how they had joined up. "What's going on?"
"I don't have Starks in custody yet," Ski said, "but there are a couple of things to report, and I've got a few more questions for Ms. Malone."
"She's inside."
Caroline led the two men into the entryway and motioned them toward the living area. "I'll get Berry." But before she was out of earshot, Ski's stomach rumbled noisily, bringing her up short.
"Sorry, ma'am."
She smiled at him. "No apology necessary."
