Sharp blue eyes scan my face from beneath the brim of his hat before he breaks into a smile. “Hey, I know you! Ain’t you the pretty lil lady with the broken taillight?”
“You caught me!” I laugh nervously, doing jazz hands.
For crying out loud! Since I became an accidental murderer, my arms develop a mind of their own whenever I speak to a cop.
“When you stopped me, I was headed to visit Rustin. He’s an old friend. Are you looking for him? He’s out back fixing thatnaughtytaillight for me.”
“Car trouble’s why I’m here, too. I gotta get my AC fixed or I’ll be sweatin’ my rear off all day.”
He walks past and sirens go off in my head.Wee-oo. Wee-oo. Tally’s going to prison!
I jump in front of George before he can step aroundthe corner of the barn. “Could I offer you a coffee in the house while we wait?”
“That’s mighty kind, but any more coffee and I’ll be pissin’ like a racehorse until lunch.” His cheeks turn pink. “Pardon my French.”
George walks on and I trip after him like a newborn calf, praying Rust is done with whatever he planned. But it’s much worse than I expected.
Catastrophical.
Thiswas Rust’s genius idea?
In the shade of a gnarled old tree, the dead drifter slumps precariously on a dirty lawn chair. He wears my sunglasses and Rust’s trucker hat drawn deep into his face. My empty beer can is artfully arranged in his hand, resting on his lap.
George’s brows draw low as he spots Rust with a hand on the corpse’s shoulder, pretending he’s talking to it.
I bite back a hysterical laugh. Only an idiot would fall for this. Maybe I can cut a deal if I confess now, but how would I even start?
Excuse me, Deputy, I would like to report a murder. One that I committed. Accidentally.
Rust sprints to meet George. He grabs his hand and shakes it, blocking the view of the drifter. “Mornin’, Deputy! What can I do ya for?”
“That damn AC is gonna be the death of me. Now it’s blowin’ out hot air! The inside of my cruiser feels like Satan’s moist asshole.” He glances at me. “Pardon my language, ma’am.”
“I’ll get it fixed right quick, on the house!” Rust says. “If you come with me and?—”
George looks pointedly between us. “You’re not gonna introduce me to your friend first? We met last night, but Ifear she didn’t give me her name. Quite the woman of mystery!”
“I don’t know where I left my manners today. And yesterday.” I giggle thinly. “Name’s Tally, sir. Pleasure to meet you.”
George tips his hat at me. “Pleasure’s all mine.”
Rust claps a hand on his back. “Now that we’re all acquainted, let’s take a look at that devilish AC and?—”
“Who’s the gentleman back there?” George interrupts.
I taste bile. Fuck, he figured it out! I shoot Rust a panicked glance, but he doesn’t flinch.
“That’s my estranged Uncle Barry from Mama’s side,” Rust says calmly. “He’s had a rough go of it lately. First he lost his job, then his wife, and then his house up in Lexington. I’m lettin’ him stay with me until he gets back on his feet.”
“Now that’s what I call a good nephew! Too few people honor their elders.” George waves at ‘Uncle Barry.’ “Good morning, sir!”
To no one’s surprise, the corpse doesn’t react.
“He’s a bit hard of hearing,” Rust explains.
“I see.” George clears his throat. “Good mornin’, sir!” he screeches, nearly bursting my eardrums.
‘Uncle Barry’ stays silent. Who would’ve thought?
