Lake Howling turned on a stunning day for the race. Sun hit the water making it gleam like a polished diamond, and sat high in the sky as the spectators found vantage points to watch the first annual Recycled Boat Race.
Newman stood with Cubby at the start line discussing what was happening with the Wildlife people, and their stolen property.
“Without evidence, I can’t and won’t charge Hope, Newman. And last night she let me look around her house, because Ms. Linear would have camped out in my office if I hadn’t.”
“Come on, Cubby, really? Why are you letting that bitch push you around?” Newman felt his pulse rise, and the race hadn’t even started.
“Hope understands that I believe her innocent, but I have to be seen to be doing things right while at the same time, Katie and I are looking for whoever is really doing this.”
“Jesus, Cubby, Hope doesn’t need this shit now.”
“I know it, but what I really need is for you to keep calm, and we’ll all get through this. Now I have to go and do sheriffing stuff, so stay out of trouble.”
Newman watched his friend walk away, weaving his way through the people. Cubby and Macy were judges, and Willow wanted to sketch, so she hadn’t entered. The locals had turned out, some to watch, others to enter their boats. A few people had come in from out of town to join the fun.
“Not sure why these others are bothering,” Noah said, lowering their boat into the water. Like Newman, he wore board shorts.
He and Newman had tested it several times under the cover of darkness. It had held their weight, thankfully.
“You know that’s not going to hold your combined bulk, don’t you?”
Newman flipped Tex the bird as he and Brad arrived, with John Finch on their heels. Around his neck he had his camera. Cubby had told him the man had offered to take photos of the day for free. Newman thought that a very generous offer now he knew about Ingrid, John’s girlfriend.
The brothers were wearing shorts with the Texan flag on their butt, and Longhorns caps. Their boat was more a raft with a sail. It had several branches bound together with rope, but looked sturdy enough. The Texan flag fluttered from a pole at the rear.
“Where you guys from?”
Brad bared his teeth at Newman by way of an answer.
“Not a very creative entry, it has to be noted, Cub,” Jake said, arriving with Buster. Both wore aprons. On their heads were chefs’ hats. Their entry was a large muffin, complete with frosting. It was made of cardboard. “Whereas ours… now, it’s a masterpiece.”
“It’s a muffin,” Buster added.
“No shit,” Newman said. Written on the side were the words Mystery Muffin.
“You,” Buster waved a spatula at him that Newman guessed was an oar, “are going to eat our dust.”
“Or wake, as we’re on the water.”
“Hey, sweetie.” Newman kissed Rose, and shook Billy’s hand as they arrived at the water’s edge with Willow.
“My mom’s judging,” Billy said.
“An important job, bud.”
“Heads up, the womenfolk have arrived.”
Following Cubby’s gaze, the men watched Annabelle and Branna walk down the bank. They carried their boat, and it looked like one made of paper, complete with newspaper on the outside. They wore sailor hats, little white skirts, and sailor tops.
“They should win simply for the hotness factor,” Jake said.
“Amen,” Tex said. “I hope that’s not heavy,” he added, looking at his wife.
“I bet she loves it when you get all clucky with her,” Noah said.
“She punched me last night, because I told her that putting out the trash wasn’t good for her. My chin has a black bruise on it today.”
Newman smiled, but it fell away as he saw Hope arrive.
