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that sometime recently, your dad was
    there. He could’ve been a guest, or visiting a guest…”
    “Or he could’ve robbed the place,” she finished.
    Jack’s face told her that it was a distinct possibility. “I’m
    driving down to take a look, but I wanted you to know. I’l
    let you decide whether you want to tel Wesley.”
    “I’l go with you,” she offered.
    “Absolutely not.”
    “But I’m off work right now—it’s perfect timing.”
    “What part of ‘absolutely not’ don’t you understand?
    Carlotta, you can’t get involved in your father’s case! I
    can’t spend all my time saving you from the scrapes you
    get yourself into.”
    “But that’s the beauty of it. I’l already be with you.”
    “No. No. No.”
    “Are you taking your girlfriend, Liz?”
    He puffed up, meaning she’d hit a nerve. “She’s not my
    girlfriend. But…I thought I might ask her to ride along in
    case I bump into her client while I’m there.”
    “So they can have a tumble for old times’ sake? That’s nice
    of you.” She squinted. “Why don’t you have a partner for
    these kinds of things, Jack?”
    “I’m on the waiting list, but the department is short of
    manpower.”
    “So when are you leaving?”
    “Day after tomorrow.”
    She shook her head, frustrated with the whole situation.
    “Don’t mention this to Wesley. And let me know if you
    bump into dear old Dad.” Carlotta turned and walked
    stiffly toward the house.
    “Carlotta, don’t be like this. I didn’t have to tel you, you
    know.”
    But she didn’t look back because she didn’t want him to
    see the abject humiliation coursing through her. Her father
    had left a stink on the family that they couldn’t seem to
    get away from. It was mortifying to think that of all the
    policemen who could capture her fugitive father, it would
    probably be Jack who ultimately brought him down.

    6
    Carlotta gave the new living room window one last swipe,
    then stood back to admire the shine. But instead of
    crystal-clear sparkle, the glass was smeared with cloudy
    streaks.
    “You have to use newspaper to get the best shine,”
    Wesley said from behind her.
    She turned and frowned. “You don’t say? I see you
    decided to grace the world with your presence today. It’s
    almost noon.”
    “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I was up most of the night before.”
    Seeing the dark circles under his brown eyes, she nursed a
    pang of remorse. He looked so much like their father—
    lean, with sharp features a male model would kil for. But
    he didn’t have their father’s confidence, the ability to win
    over a room. Wesley was more cerebral. He preferred his
    books to people. She was sure he had no idea how
    handsome he was. “Are you ever going to tel me what you
    were doing?”
    “I told you. I was playing cards.”
    “Uh-huh.” She eyed his clothing. “It’s pretty warm today
    for long sleeves, don’t you think?”
    He shrugged, but she could see the bulk of a bandage
    beneath the fabric of his shirt.
    “You must have scraped your arm pretty badly,” she said,
    fishing.
    “Man against asphalt, asphalt always wins.”
    “Hmm. Did Peter bandage you up?”
    “Yep.”
    Wesley stil wasn’t looking at her. His reluctance to talk
    about what had really happened cemented her decision
    not to mention what Jack had told her about their father.
    After all, the robbery in Daytona Beach could be a dead
    end, a mistaken identification.
    “Mrs. Winningham said she gave you a get-wel card for
    me.”
    “She did, but I lost it.”
    “When you had the accident on your bicycle?”
    “Yeah. Sorry.”
    He was so lying about the bicycle accident. “That’s okay,
    I’l tel her I got it anyway. Are you working with Coop
    later?”
    “Not today. I have to check in with my probation officer.”
    “She sounded pretty worried about you yesterday.”
    “Real y?”
    It was the closest thing she’d seen to a smile on his face
    since he’d arrived home. “Really. And