Detectives

TWENTY SIX

She especially liked the fact that he didn't have any trouble making fun of himself. Eventually their conversation turned to other topics, and they discovered a number of mutual interests, everything from baseball to ocean life.

When Liam told her about a near miss with a shark, she rubbed the goose bumps on her arms and asked, "How could you ever get into the water knowing that some of the most dangerous predators are right there, waiting for a snack?"

Liam laughed. "And I'm the snack?"

"Yes. Haven't you ever seen Shark Week on television? Guess where some of the most dangerous sharks are."

"Australia."

"That's right."

"I grew up swimming in the ocean."

"Is that how you learned to swim? In the ocean?" She sounded appalled. "I can't imagine . . . with all those waves and undercurrents. It can be very dangerous."

"We had a pool in our backyard, and that's where I learned. My father taught me. I was three or four. How old were you when you learned to swim?"

"Around seventeen, I guess. Giovanni taught me."

"The guy you model for? How did that happen?"

"We were on a photo shoot. It was a beautiful location with this infinity pool that seemed to drop off the side of the world. I was modeling a bathing suit, and Giovanni wanted to get some shots of me coming out of the water." She laughed as she added, "I didn't want to disappoint him."

"So you jumped into the water?"

"And almost drowned. Giovanni had to come in after me. He pushed the photo shoot to the next day, and right then and there he gave me my first lesson."

"You must have shocked the hell out of him."

She laughed again. "Oh yes, I did."

Liam could tell she was having a good time. So was he, he realized.

"Here's a question," he said nonchalantly as he reached for her empty can and wrapper. "Swim in the ocean where you know there's a great white, or walk across a lawn where you know there's a poisonous snake-which do you choose?"

She drummed her fingertips on the park bench while she thought about it. "Swim," she finally said.

"My brother and I played that game all the time. Drove our parents nuts."

"What was it like, growing up in Australia?" she asked.

He described his family and their home on the Australian coast with its aquamarine waters and white sand beaches. It sounded like an idyllic childhood. He clearly was very close to his family, especially his younger brother. The two boys had been daredevils, and from some of the escapades he told her about, she suspected they had given their parents some sleepless nights. Allison was captivated by his stories and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners just before he was about to tell of some mischievous prank. She still couldn't figure him out, but she was definitely intrigued. His sense of adventure and the need to do something that mattered had obviously led him to the work he was doing now. By comparison, she was a boring nerd. While she hid in her room writing code, he was out in the world experiencing life.

When there was a lull in the conversation, she looked around. It was night and the river was dark, the only light coming from the moon's reflection off the water and a distant streetlight on the path. She glanced down at her watch. It was almost eleven. They had been talking for three hours. She had been so caught up in their conversation she had completely lost track of time. She had forgotten about her worries for a while, but unfortunately they came rushing back when, as they were walking back to his car, Liam asked her if she had gotten bad news in the messages she had checked earlier.

"Why would you think . . ."

"You're easy to read," he said. "You checked your messages and you were upset."

"Not upset," she corrected. "Irritated."

He hadn't started the engine yet and turned toward her. "Tell me."

She knew he wouldn't let up until she explained, so she quickly told him about both messages.

He didn't hide his disgust. "Your aunt thought she could sign your name to your check and deposit it in her account?"

"She's done it before."

"But you're not going to let her do it again."

"No, I'm not."

"Why do you think your uncle was sitting in front of your house? The money?"

"I don't know. Maybe to try to get me back under his thumb. He's got a bad temper," she added. "And when he drinks, he can be . . . unreasonable."

Frowning, he asked, "Has he ever hit you?"

"Almost. Once. Will stopped him and told him to leave me alone," she answered. "From then on I pretty much stayed out of his way. For the most part we ignored each other . . . that is, until he needed the money I could bring in."

"You had a hell of a time growing up, didn't you?"

She stiffened. "Don't feel sorry for me. It wasn't all bad, and I got away with a lot. As long as I didn't bother them and I stayed out of trouble, I could do whatever I wanted. And as long as my sister was around, I was okay."

"What about when she wasn't around?" he asked quietly.

"I was more cautious," she said. "I took care of myself," she added before abruptly changing the subject. "How soon will my aunt and uncle find out that Will is going to get probation?"

"Tomorrow or the day after. What happens when he screws up again, Allison?"

"You've already asked me that question."

"I'm asking again."

She knew he wanted to make sure she wouldn't waver. "He's on his own if he messes up. I haven't changed my mind. I'm done. I promise."

They were just a couple of blocks from her house when Liam said, "If your uncle is still sitting out front, I'm going to talk to him."

"No, I'll handle him. You don't need to fight my wars for me."

"Yeah, well, I'm talking to him," he insisted. "And if he's behind the wheel and has been drinking, he's going to be spending the night in lockup."

The set of his jaw indicated he was going to be stubborn, and when they turned the corner to her street, she was relieved. Fortunately her uncle had left. She was thankful there wouldn't be a confrontation.

Liam walked her to the door and once again held most of the contents of her purse while she searched for her house key. As soon as she got the key in the lock, he turned to leave.

"I'll pick you up at eight," he said.