If it was any other night, I would. But my little boys sick, and my wife is already late for the night shift at the nursing home. My son needs me, and those old people need her. Im sorry, Mace.

I felt bad for being so selfish. Not to mention ancient. I couldnt believe my one-time babysitting charge was married with a boy of his own. That siren was getting closer. Even as banged up as I felt, I knew Id rather walk to town than ride in that ambulance.

Suddenly, I had what seemed like a good idea. Then again, I might have had a brain injury.

Could you call Detective Martinez? I said. I believe this might have something to do with the questions Ive been asking about Jim Alberts murder. Maybe hell think so, too. Hed want to get a look at things out here, in case it turns out this is a crime scene.

I could see Donnie thinking it over. The detective outranked him. He wouldnt want to be blamed for making a mistake. I knew if Martinez came out, I could bum a ride back with him. Id prefer even that to being shut into the back of an ambulance.

Donnie finally agreed, putting in a call for the detective. In the meantime, the ambulance crew arrived and checked me over. They did essentially what Donnie had done, except they used various medical gizmos to gauge my vital signs. They grumbled a little when I refused to be transported to the hospital. But I know my rights. I dont have a cousin whos a lawyer for nothing.

Martinez arrived just as the ambulance was leaving. Donnie met him by the road, and the two conferred, out of my hearing. Donnie was probably telling him how Id hallucinated a chase scene after I got knocked on the head. That, along with my daddys visit from heaven. After Martinez stopped nodding, they headed my way.

He peered into my face. Not that I cared, but was that a flicker of concern in his eyes?

Howre you feeling, Ms. Bauer? he asked.

Not crazy, if thats what you want to know. Someone ran me off the road.

He put out his arm for me to grab hold of. I ignored it, and climbed down off Donnies hood. A shot of pain from my knee nearly took my breath away. My leg buckled, but Martinez caught me firmly by the waist. I was still shakier than Id thought. But not so shaky I didnt notice the hard muscle in his arm where he held me next to his side. Or the masculine way he smelled, like after-shave mixed with a faint trace of cigars.

Steady, chica. His warm breath in my ear sent a shiver south of my stomach. I wasnt sure what the Spanish word meant, but it sounded nice. Just take slow steps, okay? Martinez said. Were going to get you to the front seat of my car. Well take our time.

He nodded curtly at Donnie, dismissing him from the responsibility of me. With a wave from the open drivers side window of his car, Donnie bid me good-bye. Remember what I said about dozing off, Mace. Its nothing to have to hide.

I smiled and waved back. But I was simmering inside. I couldnt believe Donnie thought I was making it all up.

Im telling the truth, you know, I said, feeling cranky now.

As Martinez settled me into his passenger seat, I repeated what Id told Donnie. Including how I thought my crash was linked to the murder. Every once in awhile, hed nod, leaning against the inside of my open door, arms across his chest.

When I was done, he said, I dont disbelieve you, Ms. Bauer.

What the hell did that mean? He wasnt calling me a liar, but he wasnt saying he believed me, either.

Well know more about how it happened when we can look over your car. The officer called Donnie, I said, annoyed. He has a name.

All right, Officer Donnie called for a tow truck. Theyll haul your Jeep to the Florida Highway Patrol, and tomorrow well see what we can find. Ive requested an accident investigator from the FHP. Shes coming out here to check the scene for skid marks, tire tracks, and anything else she can find.

He leaned across my body and fastened the seat belt at my hip. There was that cursed twinge again. Apparently, there was nothing wrong with my nether regions. His cologne smelled spicy, but subtle. It definitely beat the ditch water stench coming off of me.

After rummaging in his trunk, Martinez returned with three roadside flares. Im going to light these to mark the accident scene, and then youre going to the hospital. Your friend, Officer Donnie, already gave dispatch the location, but these will help the investigator narrow it down. He placed the flares on the cars roof, and stooped to look at me. Brushing the hair from my forehead, he examined my wound. I was surprised at the gentleness of his touch. His hands looked so strong. I jerked away, but the warm impression from his fingers lingered.

You were northbound when you went off the road, right?

When I was run off the road, I snapped at him, embarrassed by my bodys response to him.

What were you doing out here anyway? Its the middle of nowhere.

As if to emphasize our isolation, we heard the deep, bellowing grunt of a bull gator. All of a sudden, an image of Mamas boyfriend flashed into my head. I couldnt believe Id forgotten to mention before now how hed summoned me to the distant golf course.

Salvatore Provenza, huh? Martinezs attention was riveted as I related my story. And you say he wasnt there when you showed up?

Thats right. I didnt even want to go out to that stupid golf course in the first place. Id been busy all day, questioning people who might know something about Mamas case.

So Ive heard. Youre quite the interrogator. Did I see the tiniest smile cracking through the granite in Martinezs jaw?

Anyway, I was tired. All I wanted to do was go home, nuke some fried chicken, and vegetate in front of my TV. But hes my mothers boyfriend. And he sounded so desperate.

Sals desperate all right. Martinez rose. All trace of a smile was gone. And youd be wise to remember that desperate people do desperate things.

Dread settled like a boulder in my stomach as Martinez and I pulled up to Himmarshee Regional Hospital. Im not afraid of doctors. But I am afraid of my older sister.

I could see Maddie through the plate glass window, washed in a red glow from the emergency room sign. She was sitting in a nearly empty row of chairs. The set of her mouth was as hard as the steel bolts that screwed the chairs to the floor. Marty was beside her, staring into space and worrying the tissue in her hands into shreds.

As soon as the doors to the waiting room swooshed open, my sisters jumped up as if they were stitched together.

Thank God! Marty ran to me and threw her arms around my neck. The tears started to flow.

Come over here and let me take a look at you, Maddie commanded, using her middle-school principal tone.

With my knee aching and Marty still clinging to my neck, I inched across the floor toward Maddie. I untangled myself, and Maddie clasped me by the shoulders. She turned me in a complete circle. When we came face-to-face again, I thought I saw a glimmer of moisture in her eyes. It was probably just a reflection from the hospitals bright lights. She patted my arm, which turned into an awkward, one-handed hug.

Mace, you had us so worried. She let out a sigh of relief. Donnie Bailey called to tell me about your accident. Ive been wracking my brain for a way to break the news to Mama if you didnt make it.

I expected overreaction from Marty. Mama always says her nerves are too close to the surface of her skin. But not from Maddie. You can see Im fine, I told her. Didnt Donnie tell you I was okay?

He did. But he also told us you were on your way to the hospital. Marty and I were afraid he just didnt want to break the truth about how bad things were.

We were afraid, Marty chimed in, sniffling into the tattered tissue.

Thats why we rushed over here to see for ourselves. Maddie patted at me again. Lord, Mace, Im so glad to see you in one piece.

Your forehead is bloody. Marty tenderly brushed my hair away from the cut. What happened? Did you swerve to avoid a possum?

My sisters knew Id never hit any animal, not even a possum, if I could help it.

I didnt swerve. I was run off the road.

Alarm registered on Maddies face. Marty looked even more scared.

Martinez had been standing by the check-in desk, studying a sign about insurance co-payments like it held the cure to cancer. I got the feeling he was more comfortable with my family arguing than with our affection. He cleared his throat, a loud rumble in the quiet waiting room.

Therell be plenty of time for you to get into all that, Ms. Bauer. Now, you need to check in and let the doctor take a look at you.

Yall remember Detective Martinez, I said to my sisters.

Maddie looked at him like hed poisoned the fundraising candy for the middle-school band. How could we forget him? Hes the man who put our poor mother into prison.

Jail, Maddie, not prison. I figured Id head off another vocabulary lecture on correctional facilities. By the way, Detective. I put some ice in my voice. I spoke to the daughter of one of my mothers bingo cronies today. I know you have some information about Mamas trunk being empty of any murder victim last night while she was playing bingo. Playing bingo all night long, as it happens.

The granite came back to his jaw. Im still gathering facts in relation to the investigation, Ms. Bauer. Im not willing to go into those matters right now. Besides, I came here to make sure you get medical attention. And thats what were going to do.

Thats true, I conceded to my sisters, he was nice enough to give me a ride here. And hes promised to look into why Big Sal called me to meet him at the golf course, and then disappeared before I got there. If not for that call, Id never have been way out that way in the first place, nor landed my Jeep in a canal.

My sisters started talking over each other, peppering me with questions. Maddie was louder, of course. What does Mamas obnoxious boyfriend, have to do with anything? she demanded.

You were in a ditch, Mace? Were there water moccasins? Marty shuddered.

Martinez stuck his hands into his pockets and slipped away. In a few moments, he returned with a middle-aged black woman. She had on a white coat. A stethoscope was draped around her neck. He stepped between my sisters and me and held up his hand to interrupt.

This is Dr. Taylor, he said to me. She says she can see you immediately.

He turned to Marty and Maddie. Id appreciate it if youd let your sister go now. The doctors going to examine her and run some tests. You can fill the admitting clerk in on all her insurance information. Then, I hope youll stick around to make sure she gets home safely.

Are you saying we wouldnt do that anyway, Detective? Maddie didnt give him time to answer. I know youre accustomed to dealing with lowlifes and criminals, but you dont need to tell decent people how to act.

Hush, Maddie. Martys voice was soft but firm. Youre not acting very decent right now. This man saw that Mace got here all right. I think we owe him gratitude, not rudeness.

Maddie looked as if a rat had just run over her foot in her spotless kitchen. I was surprised, too. Marty never stands up to Maddie, not even mildly.

Maddie harrumphed, but she shut up. She turned her back on the rest of us, and put her purse up tight against her chest, like a shield. She didnt say thanks to Martinez. But she didnt say anything else nasty, either.

As I was walking into the examining room with Dr. Taylor, I saw Marty place a hand on Martinezs arm. She was gently steering him away from our older sister and toward the emergency room exit to outside.

___.

Martinez was gone, but my sisters were still waiting when I came out after two hours, one brain scan, and a short argument over my refusal to wear a hospital gown. The gown fight I lost. But I won the scan, which was far more important. Dr. Taylor saw no evidence of damage to my hard head, so she cleared me to go home.

Maddie was asleep sitting up, snoring softly. Its a good thing the emergency room was empty. Shed be beside herself if she ever thought someone had seen her dozingeyes closed, mouth open, defenses down.

Marty leaned against a wall, one tennis-shoed foot propped up behind her. Eyes cast downward, she was fending off the attentions of two handsome guys in green hospital scrubs. One offered her a cup of coffee; the other looked like he was ready to offer her his heart. Happily married or not, Marty attracts men the way honey draws bears. Always has.

Im back, better than ever, I called from the doorway.

Marty looked up with Mamas radiant smile; Maddie rubbed drool from her chin and frowned. Is it time for school yet? she asked.

No, the kids have a few more hours of peaceful sleep before youre back to terrorizing them, I said.

We were back to normalexcept for the fact that our mother was still in jail.

Marty extricated herself from her male fan club and joined us. Im so glad everythings okay, Mace. What are we going to do next? she asked.

Im going home to a hot shower. My bodys aching like those Clydesdales from the beer commercial used me as a football. First thing in the morning, Ill go back to visit our cousin Henry. I want to prod him for some idea what the state attorneys office plans to do about Mamas charges.

I might know a little something about that, Marty said quietly.

Maddie and I looked at her like shed grown two heads. First shed crossed Maddie; now she was offering an opinion. We knew our sister had gotten a promotion at the library. Was this more forceful Marty a result?

Im not saying anything is certain. Marty cast her eyes to her shoes. Its just that I had the chance to talk to Carlos while you went off with the doctor.

Who the hell is Carlos? Maddie asked me.

I gave her a shrug.

Carlos Martinez. The detective, Marty said.

Maddie and I exchanged raised eyebrows.

What? Marty said. Thats the mans name. Anyway, he spent a long day asking a lot of questions about Mama. He said he heard over and over what a good person she is. He was taken by surprise at the number of people who love her for one thing or another.

Mamas lived all her life in Himmarshee, Marty. Shes popular, Maddie said. Thats not exactly a news flash.

Let me finish, Maddie. He said he was just doing his job when he put her in jail. It was the only way he could think of to figure things out after all of us showed up at the police department. He said hes not as sure as he was that she belongs there.

If we were Catholic and Marty was a man, she could have been a priest. Shes always been good at getting confessions.

How do you do that? Maddie asked.

Do what? Marty said.

Get people to open up.

Im curious about that, too, Marty, I said. I just spent a couple of hours out in the country with Martinez. I never even knew his first name, let alone that he was thinking about letting Mama go.

I dont think I do anything special. I just sit there and people talk. Marty weighed what she wanted to say next. But if you really want to know, Maddie, you have a tendency to judge. That might make it harder for folks to tell you things. And as for you, Mace, you give off the impression youre more interested in animals than you are in people. So they might be reluctant to bother you with personal things.

For Marty, that was scalding criticism.

I dont mean to hurt your feelings, but you did ask, she said quickly. There is one other thing.

Well, go ahead and tell us, Marty. Its not like youve held anything else back, Maddie said.

Carlos is starting to believe Mama might know things about the murderer that shes not even aware she knows. He wants to find out what they are before the knowledge brings her harm.

___.

I was wound up after my sisters dropped me off at home. I stood for a long time under a hot shower, lathering with the rosemary and lemon soap that Mama claims will fight bruising. I cant attest to its therapeutic qualities, but I can say that afterwards my skin smelled exactly like lemon chicken.

I dragged out my ancient chenille robe and slipped on thin socks to sleep in. Then I had to lower the air conditioner a couple of notches. It was still September, which means full-blown summer in Florida. In addition to the swelter, wed already had a close pass by one storm this hurricane season. Everyone dreaded the appearance of one with better aim.

I threw back the comforter on my bed, fluffed my pillow, and climbed in. Then I proceeded to stare at the ceiling for the next fifteen minutes. The bedside clock read 2:10 am.

The aroma coming off my body reminded me of the chicken Id stashed in the fridge the night before, when Mama called from jail. It called me to the kitchen.

After I polished off the chicken, I ate some tortilla chips with a bowl of my homemade salsa. Its strong enough to blow the back of your head all the way to Guadalajara. My stomach grumbled in protest. Now, sleep really did seem a long way off.

Opening a beer, I sat down at the computer and killed off a bunch of spam. I checked tomorrows weatherhot, but at least no new stormsand looked at some news headlines. There was an item from Orlando about a dust-up at one of the theme parks. A disgruntled parent, whod spent too long in line under a searing sun, decked a costumed character. The last name of the man inside the cartoon-dog suit happened to be Martinez. That got me to thinking about Martys new best friend, and what he might be planning next. His mysterious past had already made me curious. Since he opened up to my sister, he seemed even more interesting.