Metro Girl (Alex Barnaby 1)

He pulled himself onto the platform and peeled his shirt off. “You’re lying again. You’re not sorry about the kick.”

“I might be a little sorry.”

Bill followed Hooker onto the platform. “You don’t want to mess with her. She’s always been a dirty fighter. And she used to be engaged to a kickboxer.” Bill grabbed me and gave me a bear hug, leaving me almost as wet as he was. “I’ve missed you,” he said. “God, it’s good to see you.”

Hooker raised his eyebrows at me. “Engaged?”

“She’s been engaged three times,” Bill said. “First there was the kickboxer. Then there was the photographer. And then the bartender. Barney’s hell on men. I hope you haven’t got any ideas.”

I gave Bill the squinty eye. “You keep talking and I’m going to knock you into the water again.”

“What should I do about anchoring this boat?” Hooker asked Bill.

“Who owns it?”

“Rich Vana.”

“Anyone know you and Barney are on it?”

“No,” Hooker said.

“We can probably chance dropping anchor in the cove. There’s not enough room for both of us back here.” Bill went to the helm. “Make sure the RIB is secure, and I’ll start pushing her back.”

A half hour later we were anchored in the cove.

“I can’t believe you found me,” Bill said. “I didn’t think I left a trail.”

“We’re not the only ones looking for you,” I said to Bill.

“Yeah, it was scary in the beginning, but I thought we were safe tucked away upstream. So what’s going on with you two?”

“We’re looking for you,” I said.

“Well, here I am. And as you can see, I’m fine. And I’ve got a girl back there. So, probably I should be getting back.”

“Excuse me,” Hooker said. “That’s my boat you’re getting back to.”

“I know,” B

ill said. “And I wouldn’t have borrowed it if I wasn’t really in a bind. If you could just give me a couple more days I’ll have it back, tied up in South Beach, good as new. Swear to God.”

“I want it back now,” Hooker said.

“I can’t give it back now. I’m involved in something here. It’s important.”

“I’m listening,” Hooker said.

“I can’t tell you about it.”

“I know he’s your brother,” Hooker said to me, “but I think you should shoot him.”

“My mother would hate that,” I told Hooker. “And the gun’s downstairs in my purse.”

“Okay,” Hooker said. “I’ll get the gun. And I’ll shoot him. My mother won’t mind at all.”

“Hey dog,” Bill said. “It’s just a boat.”

“It’s a three-million-dollar boat. I had to crash into a lot of walls to pay for that boat. And I was supposed to be out fishing this week. It’s perfect weather.”