He saw lots of pickups, several with boats hitched to them, though to Ice, it was too cold to be out on a boat. There was a Rogue’s Hollow police car at the far end, by the burger hut. He sauntered to where he could see the cop. Never hurt to be clear on where the enemy was. She was sitting at a table with a man Ice had seen helping at one of the burned-out houses. He’d heard that the man was the local head Bible-thumper.

He walked back and leaned against the van, thinking about the best tack to take with Tami on their “date.” He was in a hurry, didn’t see any reason to pussyfoot around the issue. Since she was talky, he’d probably find out right away what he needed to know. Force might not be necessary, but he was ready either way.

Just then a vehicle came screaming into the lot. Ice stood up straight, peering intently as the vehicle came to a stop in a parking space three cars down on the other side of the lot from where he stood. Unmistakable, it was a Fed car. The driver jumped out, a small Asian woman wearing jeans and a flannel shirt. With a sidearm. She looked as if she’d lost something, something important. And she had Ice’s full attention.

20

“She’s acting as if she finally settled down,” Oliver said as he picked up his iced tea. He and Tess were enjoying lunch from Max’s Grill in the market parking lot. At sixty-five degrees there was a fall chill to the air, but that was set to change. He wasn’t sure how much longer lunch outside would be an option. Clouds were moving in, the temp was dropping, and tomorrow would be a totally different day than today.

He followed Tess’s gaze to the river and knew that she hadn’t heard him. He couldn’t blame her; Midas Creek roaring into the Rogue River was a captivating sight.

“Earth to Tess.”

“What?” She faced him. “Sorry, but doesn’t that water look awesome?”

He chuckled. “It does. So do you. But if I spent all day looking at you the way I’d like, I’d never get anything done.”

She darkened a shade as he knew she would, something he loved about Tess. She really had no idea how pretty she was and easily blushed when complimented. He wanted so much to tell her that he loved her, but the time hadn’t been right.

“Okay, Romeo, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Chevy. I think she’s a bigger problem than we thought.”

“How so?”