Page 11 of Tangled Up

“Right! The Barefoot Club—I was trying to remember.”

“You can’t stop progress.”

“I’m sure the old-timers were thrilled.”

My bestie snorts a laugh, and we stroll up the white-sand path to the familiar tiki bar on the other side of the new property. It’s where I had my first beer, my first margarita, my first shot.

Jessica orders two tequila sunrises, and once they’re served, she shifts around to face me. “Spill it, sister. What in the world has you back in town all of a sudden? And don’t give me that shit about the nice weather. You’re here for a reason.”

My nose wrinkles, and I hesitate. I wonder if being honest with Jessica is a smart move or if it’s only going to freak her out. I decide I don’t care.

“You’re right. I’m not here for the sea breezes, although October is the best time of the year.”

“As long as there’s no hurricane.”

“Don’t even say that. Knock wood.” We both knock on the wooden bar quickly.

“So what is it, then?”

Exhaling heavily, I decide to just level with her. “The chief sent me home as a precaution.”

I take a sip of my sweet drink, squinting up to see her frowning. “What does that mean? Aprecaution for what?”

“There was this inmate I evaluated, who went missing while she was out on furlough—a furlough I recommended she get, by the way.”

“What’s a furlough—like a work visa or something?”

“Well, furloughs can be used for work. In her case, it was so she could be involved in this community center, socialize with other people in a supervised setting—”

“And she gave them the slip?”

“Yeah,” I look down at the bar, feeling guilty all over again.Was I wrong to trust my instincts?I don’t believe I was. “Anyway, he believes she’s a threat to my safety. I don’t.”

“A threat how?”

“She sent me this angry email, and then a letter was left at the station. It was kind of rambling, not really anything coherent.”

“Holy shit.” Jessica takes a quick sip of her drink. “You’ve got a psycho killer after you?”

“She’snota psycho killer. She’s a troubled young woman who thinks I had something to do with her losing custody of her children. It’s ridiculous, but there it is.”

“You had her children taken away?”

“No!” My voice goes high. “The judge decided it was in their best interest. I simply gave my medical opinion that until we could stabilize her moods, it would be unwise for her to be left alone with her children.”

“Jesus, Carls.”

Closing my eyes, I let out a slow exhale. “I know.” I groan louder. “I know! But it’s my job, Jess. I have to say what I think is right. What would you have me do? Not say anything and two weeks later, she’s drowned her children or driven off a bridge with them in the backseat?”

My bestie shivers, and I’m right there with her. My job sucks sometimes.

Putting her arm around my shoulders, she leans her head against mine. “Anything I can do to help?”

I scrub my fingers in the front of my hair. “Got any powers of persuasion? Hypnosis?”

“Sorry. I’m only a poor fisherman’s daughter.” She sits up straighter, giving me a smile. “At least you’ll be home for a few days. We can catch up. It’ll be like old times.”

Pressing my lips into a sad smile, I nod in response. “I’d like to go see Mr. C tomorrow if you’re up for it. I haven’t seen that old man in ages, and Aunt Viv said he was in a wreck.”

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