“I told you I just needed to grab some things.”
“Anything in particular you want to grab?”
Maria laughed. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t help it. But admit it. I’m right, aren’t I?”
Maria didn’t respond, but then again, she didn’t have to. They both already knew the answer.
CHAPTER 29
Colin
While Lily headed back to her place at the beach, Colin rode with Evan first to Walmart – a place that was always open and had everything he needed – and then to Shallotte, where Evan parked behind the Camaro. Colin popped open the hood and began to loosen the battery clamps.
“Why do you think it’s the battery? Your car’s had trouble starting for a long time.”
“I don’t know what else it could be. I’ve changed out the ignition switch and the alternator.”
“Shouldn’t you have tried changing the battery first?”
“I did,” Colin said. “I put a new one in a few months ago. Maybe it’s a lemon.”
“Just so you know, I’m not driving you back out here tomorrow if this doesn’t work. I’m going to Lily’s, and the two of us are going to spend all day tomorrow in bed. I want to see how well this whole me-being-a-hero thing works out. I’m thinking she’ll find me even more attractive than she already does.”
Colin smiled as he loosened the clamps, then slid the old battery out and popped the new one in.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Evan continued. “And remember, this is coming from someone who’s seen you do a lot of dumb things. But today? I have no idea how you were able to even get to Lester in the first place. From the lawn? Over the railings? Going airborne like you did? And meanwhile, he’s aiming the gun, and just so you know, it sort of makes me question your sanity. What on earth were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“That’s what I figured. That’s just one of your many problems. You really should start thinking before you act. I told you beforehand not to go in the first place.”
Colin looked up. “Your point is?”
“My point is that despite your stupidity and possible insanity, I was actually kind of proud of you today. And not just because you ended up saving Margolis’s life.”
“Why?”
“Because you didn’t kill Lester when you had the chance. You could have smashed him into pieces or choked the life out of him. But you didn’t.”
Colin finished tightening the clamps. “You’re saying that you’re proud of me because I didn’t kill him?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Evan said. “Especially since you probably could have gotten away with it. He’d shot a cop. He was armed and dangerous. I can’t see anyone bringing you up on charges if you’d gotten a little too carried away. So my question to you is why didn’t you kill him?”
Colin thought about it before finally shaking his head. “I don’t know.”
“Well, when you do know, let me know. For me, the answer’s obvious, since I’d never kill anyone. It’s not in my nature. I wouldn’t be able to do it, but you’re different. And if you’re curious, I also have to tell you that I respect this version of Colin a whole lot more than I did the old one.”
“You’ve always respected me.”
“I’ve always liked you, but I’ve always been a little afraid of you, too,” Evan said. “There’s a difference.” He pointed to the battery, wanting to drop the subject. “Ready to give it a whirl?”
Colin rounded the car and climbed behind the wheel. He wasn’t sure what to expect and was surprised when the Camaro fired up with the first turn of the key. At that moment he found his eyes drawn to the bungalow, noting that half the yard was circled with police tape, as was the porch.
“And there it is,” Evan said. “You know it’ll probably break down on your way to Maria’s. Just to spite you. And try to stay out of trouble, okay? It seems to be following you around lately.”
Colin didn’t answer; instead he continued to stare at the bungalow, and it took him a few seconds to realize that something had changed since he’d left. Or rather, something was missing. It was possible, he thought, that the police had impounded it because it was evidence. Maybe there’d been blood splatters, or maybe one of the shots had hit it and the police needed the bullet for ballistics testing…
“Are you listening to me?” Evan asked.
“No.”
“What are you staring at?”
“You know those questions that Serena was asking?” Colin said, avoiding the question. “The ones about whether Atkinson is part of this?”
“I remember. Why?”
“I think there’s a strong possibility that he is.”
“Because his car was near the park? And Lester couldn’t have slashed her tires?”
“Not just for those reasons. I’m thinking about the car I saw earlier, the one in the bungalow driveway.”
Evan turned, then took a step backward, improving his angle. “What car?” he finally asked.
“Exactly,” Colin said, continuing to ponder it. “It’s gone.”
Colin returned to the Sanchez place a few minutes before midnight. Maria was sitting with her parents in the living room, and Colin watched as she stood. She said something in Spanish to her mom – most likely that she’d be back soon – and walked with Colin out to the car.