“I wonder all the time,” Harmony said evenly. “We like to pretend to care about one death, while a thousand more happen on the same day that get no recognition. I guess those with something to gain get to dictate which lives matter and which don’t.”
His nostrils flared. “The law is about equal justice.”
Her eyes lifted almost—but not quite—into a roll. “When that’s actually true, the world will be a better place.”
They walked off before the tension could grow any thicker. Deputy Evans stood near the fountain, arms crossed, scanning the crowd. Deputy Duong was questioning a vendor, jotting something into his notebook. Watching. Always watching.
Nearby, Deputy Ciscel lingered half in shadow, pretending to study a booth’s permit but really watching the crowd with a focus that felt too sharp, too personal. His gaze flicked across Harmony, then away—quick, practiced, like someone taking notes no one would ever see.
Harmony noted both, and felt something cold slip beneath her skin—almost like a hum carried on the wind. A sound she’d felt before. She told herself she imagined it.
But someone else didn’t imagine her—someone’s gaze held on her long after she turned away, steady and curious.
They approached Efrain’s booth next. The airport manager was dazzling two women as he ladled chili with a grin.
Cass kissed him briefly. “Didn’t know you had a booth.”
“When lightning strikes ten feet from you, and you walk away, you start feeling invincible,” he said proudly.
“Lightning?” Zach asked.
“Oh yeah. Close enough that I smelled my arm hair singe.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “To tell the truth, I was a little bummed it didn’t strike me. I think I could survive it.”
Zach laughed—for the first time in days.
Harmony’s brows rose. “If that’s not a sign, nothing is,” she said, joining in the laughter. “The island doesn’t miss when it wants to be noticed.”
Efrain winked. “Life’s short. I’m living all of it.”
Zach’s smile faded again, his gaze drifting into the distance.
Cass nudged him. “You good?”
He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Just tired.”
Harmony knew better. She saw something in his eyes, something that spoke of more than sleepiness. He was haunted. Was it because he missed the girl, or was there more to it? Could it be guilt?
They finally made their way to a table near the edge of the plaza. They were sufficiently full, and they needed to rest as they listened to live music.
Mary appeared with three beers. “You look like you need these.”
Her fingers brushed Zach’s wrist too knowingly—like someone accustomed to reading pulse, not comforting a friend.
Zach accepted one with a grateful nod. “More than you know,” he said. “Thanks.”
She sat beside him. “Ever think about leaving this place for good, Zach?”
“Sometimes,” he said. “But even when I leave, it doesn’t take long to call me back.”
Mary’s gaze was steady. “Maybe you come back because this damn place won’t let any of us go.”
Cass laughed. “You both sound like you’re in a horror movie and can’t find the exit.”
Mary didn’t smile. “Maybe we are.”
No one spoke for several moments. It was a silence that said nothing, yet spoke in volume. Harmony couldn’t take it any longer.
“We’ve got to get out of this gloom,” she said.
