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away from the subject of Clyde with the men until Joseph had brought it up for him. It turned out none of them had seen Clyde since Thursday, nor had his sister, according to Joseph. By that time in the conversation Philip believed they were all being on the level. He’d handed around his card with both office and cell phone numbers listed so they or Clyde could get in touch if he showed up.
    Which left the Soffit and Dickson robbery investigation just about the same place it had been this morning. Nowhere.
    He went up to Luce and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. Barely touching. Just reaffirming their connection.
    A hint of her perfume drifted in the air around him, and he couldn’t resist turning his head to get his nose closer. His body already recognized Luce’s own feminine scent underlying the perfume. She looked up.
    â€œHow’s it going?” he asked, taking in the sight of her in the top she’d changed into earlier. It wasn’t a T-shirt, but a more feminine style with a lower neckline and shorter sleeves. And it hugged her curves a whole lot better.
    â€œGreat. You?”
    Damn, she looked good. “Real good.”
    â€œFind out anything interesting?” she asked quietly, pulling him back to business.
    He shook his head. “Not really. You?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œLater. Have you talked to Donna Tafota?”
    â€œNo. You?”
    â€œDidn’t get the chance.” She lifted her chin at a woman standing on the other side of the table. “That’s her.”
    The blessing started, so they bowed their heads with the others, after which they clapped for a seemingly endless litany of welcome-home-Marine speeches for the prodigal Munoz son, until the kid finally burst out, “Hey, enough already! I’m starving!” and they all sat down at the long tables to eat.
    Philip was careful to position himself and Luce right across from Donna Tafota.
    â€œI understand you are looking for my brother,” the fiftyish woman said after everyone had filled their plates. She had a square face with kind brown eyes, and a long black braid that hung to her waist.
    â€œI just want to talk to him, Miz Tafota,” he told her, digging into the delicious meal. “But Clyde’s gotten himself into a heap of trouble up in St. Louis.”
    She sighed, toying with her food. “I told him not to visit our cousin Bennie. He’s always been bad, that Indian. As boys they were wild, those two, drinkin’ and stealin’ cars and carryin’ on. But when Clyde got his repair business he changed. Turned over a brand-new leaf. Not Bennie.” She shook her head. “Now it’s drugs and murder he’s into.”
    â€œIs there anywhere else Clyde could go? Other family somewhere?”
    â€œNo. Everyone he has is here.” She looked sad. “Clyde would never do these things he’s accused of. He’s a good man now. I know this.”
    â€œSo do the police, Miz Tafota. The evidence shows he was innocent of those drug shootings. That’s why I don’t understand why he ran. He needs to turn himself in and clear this up.”
    â€œBut if he’s innocent, why do they still look for him?”
    â€œInnocent or not, he jumped bail. You know how it works, a bail bondsman put up a lot of money as a guarantee that Clyde would show up for his hearings and trial. He didn’t, so the bail was kept by the courts and the bondsman is out all his money until Clyde is returned to custody. Even if the criminal charges are dismissed, Clyde still has to appear.”
    â€œOr they come after him for the money.”
    â€œThat’s right. And you don’t want him being hauled in by a bounty hunter. That could get ugly.”
    Under the table Luce kicked him sharply in the shin.
    Silently he swore. Maybe she didn’t feel guilty about hiding why she was there from Joseph, Donna Tafota and the