“Maybe you’d better let her out. It must be plenty hot in that cabin,” he went on, looking over my head and admiring the view.
“Huh-uh,” I grunted, then added, “Don’t be smarter than you can help.”
He took out a hunk of chewing tobacco and bit off a lump.
“The cops around here don’t rate with me,” he said, chewing hard. “That guy Herrick tried to clamp down on our trade. He was a nuisance. I reckon the boys are kind of grateful someone removed him.”
I nodded. “I heard he wasn’t popular.”
I cast off and started the engine. I got gas if you ever want it,” he called after me.
I waved.
3
A moon that looked like a Camembert cheese hung in the cloudiest sky. The nodding palms cast long, spooky shadows. The red glow of the charcoal fire reflected on Miss Wonderly’s skin. She lay on her back, her arms crossed behind her head, her knees bent. She wore blue
shorts, a red halter and sandals. Her honey-coloured hair hid one side of her face.