Page 47 of Secrets in Calusa Cove

“It’s not funny.”

“For the record, most of us have tried to squelch the whispers, including Baily, but all the hunters were chatting about it this morning.”

“I don’t need this shit.” He pointed. “Just drive.”

Keaton hit the gas, and the airboat glided across the water.

Dawson rubbed the back of his neck. His private life was just that—private. No one should be talking about it. But he didn’t give a damn what anyone thought about him. That wasn’t an issue. It was Audra he cared about. He was going to have to let Remy head up any real investigation—if it came down to that—because he couldn’t deny the fact he’d slept with her, making it impossible for anyone to see him as impartial.

The next twelve minutes were the longest of his life.

“There she is,” Keaton said.

Finally, Dawson’s pulse settled. A little. But not much. Audra was going to go about as ballistic as the color of her hair when she found out what Tim was accusing her of. Dawson knew that for sure.

“Do me a favor and just drop me off. Then haul ass back to the docks. Get Fletcher and do your best to clear as many people away as you can. The last thing I want is a scene.”

“Do you really think there will be one?”

“You know how Tim gets when he makes up his mind about something,” Dawson said. “And I know how she gets.”

“After one night, you know her that well?” Keaton arched a brow. “Or are all redheads the same?”

“Oh, she’s something different altogether.” Dawson squared his shoulders and made his way to the boat's bow. “Hey, Audra.”

“Hey, yourself.”

He jumped aboard his vessel, careful not to step on her snake bags, and waved to Keaton.

“Any idea what those gunshots were all about?” she asked. “Scared the crap out of me.”

“Well, you’re not going to like what Tim O’Toole had to say about them.” He sat beside her on the captain’s bench and kissed her cheek. “What did you do to him, starting back in middle school?”

She leaned away. “Who told you I did anything?”

“Answer my question. Please.”

“Well, that depends on how you look at it.” She pursed her lips. “The majority of people in this town will tell you that I sent him to the ER after punching him in the nose and kicking him in the balls.”

Dawson cringed at the same time he shifted on the bench. “And your version?”

“He pulled down my tank top when I was in seventh grade and made a snide comment about how I didn’t have zits on my tits.” She held up her hand. “But that’s not when I sent him to the ER. That’s just what started my hatred for the guy.”

“I can understand why you wouldn’t like him. That’s not nice, and in today’s world, it’s considered sexual assault.”

“It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my young life,” she said. “But like most things, I let it roll off my back. However, in ninth grade, he cornered me under the bleachers and tried to cop a little more than a feel. Sadly, he told everyone I went after him as payback for what happened two years prior, and that’s what most believe.”

“Jerk.” He looped his arm around her shoulders. “I hope he never tried anything like that again with you or anyone else.”

She laughed. “Are you kidding me? The man’s been terrified ever since. If he saw me walking down the halls at school, he’d turn and run. Of course, I gave him the good old Stigini stink eye.” She sighed. “I kind of felt bad for the guy, though. He wasn’t well-liked. Kids picked on him. Not just because he got beat up by little Audra McCain but because he was socially awkward. He tried to be cool and fit in with people like Fletcher and Ken, but he was a nerd. Not very athletic. At least not back then. I don’t know how things are for him now.” She held his gaze. “I never heard about him trying anything with any other girl. If I had, I would’ve done more than break his nose and made him sing like a girl.”

“Well, things in this town are about the same for him,” Dawson admitted. “I’m not sure his so-called friends actually like him, and he tries too damn hard. It’s sad to watch.” He handed her ear protection. “Let’s get you back to the docks. I’ll fill you in on what’s happening when we get closer.”

“Afraid I might lose my temper?”

“No. I know you will.” He pressed his finger over her lips. “And I’m going to need you to remain calm.”

Her brows drew close together. “Yeah, we both know that’s damn near impossible.”

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