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EARLY THAT AFTERNOON, I marched in the police station and entered Carter’s office like I belonged there. “Ida Belle didn’t have motive.” I rested my hands on my hips. “And she has an alibi—two of them to be exact.”
“Why were you in Wasteland?” Carter leaned back in his chair. “I thought you’d grown out of the ‘hide behind Ida Belle’s curlers’ stage.”
My lips twitched at the image. “She couldn’t have killed that guy. What was his name anyway? Do you know anything about him?”
“Plenty. But first, answer my question. Why were you in the swamps?” He propped up his feet on the metal desk. “You hate the bayou.”
“It’s grown on me.”
He clasped his hands behind his head. “Has it?”
“When forced, anyone can appreciate shadows in the moonlight,” I said, leaving the underlying implications hanging in the balance. “You didn’t answer my question. Who was he?”
Carter swung his legs away from his desk and leaned forward. “Ladies first.”
“You don’t want to know. Your turn.”
“I can’t say the same, Sandy-Sue. You definitely want this guy’s name and you’ll be more interested in his traveling companion. From what I understand, he’s staying at a local bed and breakfast.”
Hesitant to take the bait, I thought of another approach. Before I could hook a line, Gertie pecked on the window. I promptly pecked back and motioned her inside.
“His name is Hamburg. Guessing it’s a nickname. He’s from—”
“Germany?”
“DC by way of Ahmad’s Organization.”
“Hmmm...” I slowly shook my head. “Not ringing any bells.”
“Really?” Carter spotted Gertie in the hallway about the time I did. Eager to use opportunity for a quick escape, I was startled when Carter slammed the office door and blocked my path. “We’ve been through a lot together.”
“We have.”
“That’s why I’m not playing games today. Do you know this Hamburg guy or not?”
“The only Hamburg I know is the first two syllables in my favorite meal.”
He blew out an exasperated breath. “Is that all you have for me?”
I fidgeted. After trying to think of something to say and coming up empty, I kissed his cheek and turned to leave. Before I took the first step, Carter grabbed my wrist, gave me a whirl, and kissed me like I was instantly forgiven. It was the most romantic thing I’d ever experienced...until he released me and I fell to the floor with a thump.