Now that I was into it, I wasn’t sure I wanted to confess. Honesty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

“The same way you felt about what?’’ he prodded, his body as still as the night.

About you, I wanted to say. I don’t feel about Trey the way I did about you.

Instead, I found some words I could hide behind. “I just don’t feel right about Trey,’’ I finally said.

“Well, that’s good to know,’’ Carlos released the pebble he’d been holding, firing it into the pond. “I’m not sure I feel right about Trey either. So, would you like me to tell you a secret now?’’

I nodded, not lifting my face.

“I’m not the least bit interested in Austin,’’ he said. “You’re the one who raised my suspicions about her, about how she might be responsible for vandalism and maybe more. Who knows? She may even be tied to Lawton’s death. I want information from her, and I’m trying to get it.’’ Another pebble sailed into the water. “It’s called police work, Mace.’’

I felt like someone had just handed me a hundred-dollar birthday check with a slice of chocolate cake on the side. I even overlooked his tutoring tone.

“Well, have you found out anything?’’ I asked, raising my eyes to his.

“No. She’s actually smarter than she seems.’’ He dropped the rest of the rocks onto the ground and brushed his hands on his jeans. “She prattles on and acts the fool. But she never gives much away.’’

“Well, see if you can find out whether she really is a novice when it comes to cracking the cow whip. I don’t believe for a minute she accidentally hit my poor horse.’’

“Yes, ma’am.’’ Carlos saluted me, but he was smiling as he did. “Any other tips to help me improve my interrogation technique?’’

I traced the ridges of the bark on the oak log where we sat. I watched moths beat themselves against the glass dome of the lantern.

“Well, there is one thing I’d like to know about interrogations,’’ I finally said.

“And what would that be?’’

“Do you ever have to kiss a subject like Austin to get her to tell you what she knows?’’

He put a hand to each side of my face and pulled me closer. “Do you mean like this?’’ his lips brushed over my eyelids, first one and then the other. “Or like this?’’ He brought the full pressure of his mouth against mine.

“Yes, like that,’’ I murmured, tasting his tongue.

“No, I’ve never kissed a subject like this,’’ he said, as he nipped gently at my bottom lip.

“Good,’’ I said, tugging at the buttons on his shirt as I drew his body to mine. “Because I don’t think that’s standard police procedure.’’

___

Belle’s hair gleamed like polished copper in the firelight. A camera around her neck, she sat with Trey on the ground by Mama. As I came into the clearing, Maddie pointed her chin at the beer can in Trey’s hand. Beside her, Marty gave me a shake of her head and a sad expression.

“Well, there you are, honey,’’ Mama called. “We were starting to think a gator crawled out of a pond and got you. What in the world have you been doing for all this time in the woods?’’

I hoped there wasn’t enough light for them to see me blush.

“Just sitting,’’ I lied.

Maddie raised her eyebrows. “Your vest is inside out, Mace.’’

“It’s reversible, Maddie,’’ I lied again.

Carlos and I cut our woodsy interlude short because he’d promised to play poker with a couple of retired Miami cops now living near Sebring. I returned to the campfire alone.

“Shouldn’t we be getting over to hear the Cracker songwriter?’’ I said, changing the subject. “We don’t want to miss any of his new songs.’’

Sal said, “The guy who plays bass with him got a flat tire on the way here. They’re going to start late. The fire’s nice and warm. Why don’t you have a seat with us while we wait?’’

Five sets of eyes looked up at me, all except for Trey’s. His hat was pulled down low, and he held onto that beer like it was an anchor in a fast current.

Belle gave me a friendly smile. “Please, Mace. Do sit down.’’

Her voice was strong; her eyes clear. Whatever she’d been taking last night, she wasn’t taking it now. I took a seat on the ground.

“I didn’t get the chance to thank you for coming to look for me last night in the cypress stand,’’ she said

She glanced quickly at Trey, who didn’t seem to notice.

“Don’t mention it, Belle. I know y’all are having a rough time. Anything I can do to help, I’m glad to.’’

“Oh, I’m sure you are,’’ Trey said, his words slurred by booze and what sounded like spite.

“Excuse me?’’ I said to him.

He pushed the hat back on his head so he could look at me. Tonight, it was Trey and not his sister who seemed to have trouble focusing. “I was just sayin’ I’m sure you’d be glad to help, if only you could tear yourself away from that smart-ass cop from Miamuh.’’

Sal cleared his throat. Marty started fooling with the laces on her boots. Maddie, principal-style, said, “There’s no excuse for foul language, Trey.’’

I started to defend myself when Marty caught my eye. Very subtly, she put a finger to her lips.

Belle said, “I apologize for my brother, Mace. Trey and I cut through the woods on our way here. We saw you and Detective Martinez . . .’’ She searched for the right word, “talking.’’

Sal coughed. Mama said, “Oh my!’’ Trey jammed his hat back down over his eyes.

“Anyway,’’ Belle continued, before anyone could interrupt, “before Trey and I get going, I wanted to tell y’all how terribly sorry I am about what happened with Shotgun.’’ She reached up a hand to Mama’s good leg, resting it on her knee.

“Oh, honey, stop fretting.’’ Mama gave Belle’s hand a reassuring pat. “All’s well that ends well, and it might have ended a lot worse.’’

A murmur of assent went around our little group.

“But that’s just what I keep thinking about,’’ Belle said with a shudder. “I couldn’t live with myself if someone came to real harm riding a horse that I trained.’’

Mama was about to start her recitation about the bees, but Trey interrupted her.

“I think most people would surprise themselves with all they can live with, Little Sister. And why don’t you stop making over her like that?’’ He pointed his beer can at Mama. “All that’s happened to her is a little bitty busted ankle. Our daddy’s dead, Belle!’’

“I think you better quit while you’re ahead, pal.’’ Sal’s voice was menacing.

Trey snorted, and then glared at Sal from under his hat.

Belle pressed on, hurrying to finish her plea on Shotgun’s behalf. “He’s such a good horse. Everyone says so. Don’t they, Trey?’’

Instead of an answer, Trey gave another snort.

“Let’s go, Belle.’’ Swaying, he pushed himself up on one knee. “These people don’t want us here. You’re wasting your breath.’’

Maddie said, “Belle is just fine, Trey. You’re the one who’s drunk, not to mention rude. Why don’t you take Sal’s advice? Go back to your trailer and sleep it off before you get into real trouble.’’

Trey dropped his beer can, then his hat. He cursed when he stepped on the hat while he was trying to get up.

“Just leave me alone!’’ he shouted, now on his knees. “Don’t any of you touch me.’’

Sal whispered, “Why don’t you let me help you get him home, Belle?’’

“No,’’ she said firmly as she stood. “Believe me, it’s better if I handle him alone. I’ve done it before.’’ Pain and exhaustion showed in her eyes as she gazed down at her brother.

“Let’s go, Trey.’’

“You’re the boss, Little Sister.’’

The way he said it, it sounded like a sneer. Then again, Trey was pretty drunk.

Belle hooked both of her arms under one of Trey’s shoulders, helping him haul himself to his feet. For her size, she had surprising strength. Or maybe it was just practice.

For once, we were all silent. The fire crackled. Sparks glowed. Shadows danced. None of us said a word as the two Bramble siblings walked away, Belle staggering every so often under her brother’s added weight.