“No one can blame him for feeling that way. Or Angela Crawford. But that’s the thing. Angela feels differently.”
He perked up. “How do you know?”
She fished around for the paper, pulled it out and waved it. “I have a statement from her.”
“Hell, why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
“Youforgot?”
“Just momentarily. My mind was on other things.”
It was true, she had been ruminating about the meeting, but now it dawned on her that she might be able to use Angela to help her persuade the rest of the task force.
“I need to get this on tape. Can you hang on while I get my guy? He’s right over there.”
“Yes.”
While he went off, Minnow wet her hands and smoothed her hair with her hands. It was all she could do.
“You look good, no need to worry.”
Luke had replaced Josh and was holding a frosty glass of beer, smiling at her.
“I’m not worried,” she said.
“You could be hiding some seaweed in there and no one would be the wiser. Untamed suits you, though.”
“Wow, two compliments in one night from you. I’m not sure how to feel about that.”
In truth, it caused a strange lightheadedness that was not entirely unpleasant.
He looked into his beer. “Yeah, well, it’s true.”
“Having seaweed for hair has always been a dream of mine, ever since I was a little girl.”
His face slowly turned back to her, one side of his mouth lifted. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Completely.”
A voice cut through the thick air. “Dr. Gray, we’re ready for you. Let’s go out front. On the beach, if you don’t mind.”
Josh and his camera guy were standing by the steps.
Luke saluted. “I’ll be here if you need a drink after—I know I would. The press makes my skin crawl.”
“Why is that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t like the way they manipulate the truth. Some of them, at least.”
“Fear and drama sell,” she said. Then she added, “Will you come out there with me, for moral support?”
If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. “I’m already there.”
When she stood, her arm brushed his shoulder and she had the sudden desire to sit back down, shut the world out and talk. Just the two of them. Being so close, she could smell a tangy aftershave that reminded her of ocean. Or maybe itwasocean. He followed her out without a word.
Josh and his guy were standing under a coconut tree, clamping a bright light to a beach umbrella. “This is my main man Danny, and you are...?” he said, eyeing Luke.
