Mama Rides Shotgun

We told him all about Wyno

Sal upended my bottle of wine over one of the plastic goblets. One drop dribbled out.

“Well, there wasn’t much left anyway.’’ He looked at us guiltily. “And I sat here all alone for a long time.’’

“I thought you were helping with the investigation,’’ I said, fishing a beer from Sal’s cooler.

“Nah. I’ll let Carlos fight it out with the locals. He and that sheriff have already butted heads. Let’s just say the Dundee County boys aren’t eager for outside help.’’

I could picture it: Carlos, with his Miami ma

A gasp from Maddie brought me back to Camp Cadillac.

“Look lively, Mace,’’ she whispered. “You are not going to believe who is sashaying her way into Mama’s camp.’’

I turned to see Austin, wearing a nervous smile and carrying a second bottle of wine. If nothing else, the wine was welcome.

“You’re not going to throw anything at me, are you, Mace?’’ She held out the wine like a shield.

“If I recall, you’re the one with the killer aim, Austin.’’

“Be nice, Mace,’’ Mama said, grabbing the bottle and handing it to me. “The girl has gone out of her way to make up.’’

I mumbled something that might have been “thank-you’’ or “screw-you.’’

“You’re welcome,’’ Austin said, choosing to believe it was the former.

Uninvited, she settled herself into one of our camp chairs. “Now.’’ She leaned toward me, eyes burning with curiosity. “I’ve been hearing all about how you’re some kind of amateur detective. Who do you think shot Doc Abel?’’

“We haven’t had a chance to discuss it yet,’’ Marty said, sounding snippier than I’d ever heard her. “We keep getting interrupted.’’

Meow!

“Well, I have a theory I’ve been working on.’’ Austin plowed ahead, paying no heed to Marty’s insult. “Do you want to hear it?”

“Why not?’’ I shrugged.

“I think Wyno

“Do you have any evidence to support that?’’ I sounded like Carlos.

She smoothed her hair. “Woman’s intuition.’’

Maddie snorted.

“That and a buck will get you a cup of coffee at the courthouse,’’ Sal said.

I lifted myself from my chair. “As much as I’d like to sit around and chat, I need to check on my horse. Thanks for the wine, Austin. See you around.’’

She jumped up. “I’ll come with you, Mace. We can talk about the case.’’

Maddie rolled her eyes. Marty giggled behind her hand. Mama said, “That’s nice, honey. Mace could use a girlfriend.’’

“I’ve got two sisters and you, Mama. I don’t need any more women in my life.’’

“Amen to that,’’ Sal said.

I stalked out of the camp. Austin trailed behind me like a puppy dog.

“How’d you start solving cases, Mace?’’ she asked, as we picked our way through the pasture with flashlights.

“I’ve only solved one. And, so far, my record’s not so good on this one.’’ I shone the light ahead. “Watch that big cow paddy, Austin. It’s wet.’’

“Thanks.’’ She sidestepped. “But, I mean, how do you do it? How do you find the clues and everything?’’

“You have to start by being quiet. You have to look and listen. You can’t observe anything when you’re always jumping up, getting mad and ru

She was silent behind me. I thought maybe the hint had sunk in. No such luck.

“People tell me I’m observant,’’ Austin continued. “Maybe I could help you get some evidence against Wyno

“What’s the deal with you and Wyno

“Aside from the fact she married Trey’s daddy for his money and she thinks her shit don’t stink?’’

I let that go unanswered. We were coming up to the scene of Doc’s shooting. Sheriff Roberts must have finished with Wyno

I wanted to know what was going on, but I wasn’t about to wander into the charged space between the two men. Even the sheriff’s deputies were giving them a wide berth. Plus, if I went over with Austin, she’d surely make some kind of silly scene. So far, Little Ms. Observant hadn’t even noticed the former Miami detective and the Dundee County Sheriff, knocking antlers like two bucks in mating season.

“Why don’t we stop by Wyno

“Well, sure,’’ Austin said, sounding surprised.

As we got closer to the Bramble campsite, I heard the murmur of voices. One man, one woman. The woman’s tone was pleading, though I couldn’t make out the words. I put up a hand to stop Austin behind me, and turned with my finger to my lips.

“Quiet,’’ I whispered. “There’s something going on.’’

I pointed to my ear, and then to my eye. Listen. Look.

She nodded, catching on quickly for once.

We turned off our flashlights and crept toward the campsite, approaching from the rear. An outside light on the RV helped us find our way. We hid in the shadows of the Brambles’ stock trailer, peering at the campsite through the trailer’s metal slats.

Trey was on the bottom step to the RV, with his back to Wyno

“I told you no, Wyno

“Please.’’ She wiped at the tears on her face. “I can’t help it, Trey.’’

“It’s wrong. Daddy’s not even in the ground.’’

Her voice deepened, turned seductive. “You know you want it as bad as me. We’re both hurting, Trey.’’

Austin’s breath quickened. She took a step toward the RV. I clamped a hand on her arm and shook my head forcefully.

“Listen,’’ I whispered. “Clues.’’

She nodded, her eyes boring holes into Wyno

His shoulders slumped. He hung his head. Dropping the beer on the ground, he slowly turned to Wyno

Wyno

“C’mon, Trey.’’ She put her lips to his, grinding against him. “Let’s go inside.’’

When the door of the RV closed, I whispered, “Now, that’s the kind of thing you see when you look and listen.’’

I got no response.

“Austin?’’

She stared at the door, her eyes dark with fury. She pounded her flashlight against her palm, so hard I feared she’d break the lens and cut herself. Her whole being seemed focused on what was going on inside that RV. I edged away several steps. Waves of rage were rolling off Austin’s body, and I didn’t want to get drowned.