Page 84 of Cougar Point

Ronnie found a picture of Missy on Facebook and saved it along with the pictures of Thundercloud and Duke and Vinnie. “Do you want to show these people the photos of everyone?”

I was counting on it. I don’t think the kidnapper will do anything to Victoria and risk getting nothing. I don’t tell Ronnie this. I’m risking her mom’s well-being on my gut feeling. “It’s going on six days, Ronnie. We need to push the kidnappers and find your uncle. Jackwillpay the kidnappers, won’t he?”

“He will. I’m sure of it.”

I’m not sure of anything. But this is Ronnie’s family.

It looks like the same pickup trucks are parked outside. We enter and the regulars are debating the consequence of not paying their taxes. The conversation stops and all eyes are on Ronnie. The bartender, Tammy, doesn’t look up and says, “Putyour teeth back in your mouth, Hank.” No one laughs. Hank swallows loudly.

Hank wants to say something so badly that if I had a needle, I could burst him like a balloon. I preempt him and introduce Ronnie.

“Hi, Hank. This is my partner, Detective Ronnie Marsh. She’s armed. So am I. Play nice or I’ll shoot you in the leg. Maybe the middle one.”

This causes a chorus of laughs, and those near Hank thump him on the back.

Tammy grins and says, “She got you good, you old bastard.”

“Who you calling old?” Hank says, and one of the boozers sputters beer in a fine mist and wipes his mouth with his sleeve.

I say, “A round of drinks on me.” If you want cooperation, mention anything free, especially liquor.

One of the drunks asks, “What’re we celebratin’, princess?”

“You all helped me solve my case. I thought I’d buy you a drink.” To Tammy I say, “We need to get some lunch. What do you have?”

“Cheese pizza or cheese pizza. Your pick.”

“We’ll split the cheese pizza. Burn it.”

“Brown?”

“Cremated.” I hate burned pizza but I have to play the tough girl. I should order a Scotch in a dirty glass but I’m not that crazy.

Tammy unwraps a frozen pizza and sticks it in an air-cooker then starts replenishing drinks for our audience. “What do you want to drink, ladies?”

“Diet Coke for me. Water with lemon for Ronnie. We’re still on duty.”

Hank says, “Good call. You wouldn’t want Tommy Tittle to get you for drunk drivin’.” They guffaw and raise their drinks to me in a toast. “Here’s to the best women detectives I know.”

Another drunk says, “They’re the only women detectives you know, Hank.”

“The best damn lookin’ ones I’ve seen anyway.”

I cock an eye at him. “Remember we’re armed, Hank.”

“Yes’m.” He puts on a solemn face.

“Say thank you,” I say to all of them.

They all say thanks.

Tammy brings our drinks. My Diet Coke is in an ice-cold can. The water is in a bottle. She leans across and whispers, “We’re out of lemon and I don’t expect you’ll stay long enough to eat the pizza. Why are you really here?”

“Tammy, I need your help again.” She hadn’t helped last time but a girl can hope. “We’re looking for some other people now.”

Tammy holds a hand out, and Ronnie puts enough money on the bar for another round of drinks and the pizza for us. Tammy scoops it up and stuffs it down the front of her tank top. She’s not wearing a bra. Or deodorant either. “And you don’t want these yahoos knowing nothing, am I right?”

“I want you to listen to us tell them something and call me if anyone makes a call or says anything after we leave. Will you do that?”

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