Body Heat by Brenda Novak Page B

with him for a year or two before he skipped town.”
    â€œI never met the uncle.”
    Starkey whistled. “He was one bad dude.”
    Roderick hadn’t struck her as much nicer. In those days, her father hadn’t yet lost his business, his marriage or his life, so she’d been oblivious to other people’s needs. She’d been living in the idyllic bubble that had burst soon afterward and thrown her into the arms of Starkey.
    â€œWhat’s he doing in town?” She definitely didn’t need this. Life was hard enough right now.
    Starkey grinned. “I was waitin’ for you to ask me that. You ready?”
    She tightened the belt on her robe. “Ready for what?”
    â€œHe said he’s here to investigate the UDA murders.”
    Her mouth fell open. “What’d you say?”
    He chortled at her reaction. “I thought you’d like that. He’s an ‘operative’ for a private security company in California. Those guys are bad asses. And they get paid the big bucks.” She couldn’t miss the twinkle in his eye that told her he wasn’t finished with her yet. “When I told him you’re the chief of police, he looked about as stunned as you do now.”
    â€œSo he’s staying longer than a few days?”
    â€œFew weeks, at least. Haven’t you been listenin’? He’s tryin’ to steal your case.”
    She shook her head. “Oh, no. That’s definitely not going to happen.”
    â€œAny chance you’d like to thank me for the notice?”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Thank you in what way?”
    He sighed. “Didn’t think so.”
    Ignoring his reference to thanking him, she moved on to her next question. “Where’s he staying?”
    â€œDon’t know. But it can’t be far.” He clapped his hands together. “Anyway, it’s been fun but I gotta dash. Someone’s waitin’ for me.”
    She didn’t ask who. She didn’t want to know about Starkey’s dealings because most of them were illegal. She was too preoccupied at the moment, anyway. “Right.” She waved numbly but made no move to go back inside.
    Several seconds passed before a neighbor called good-morning and she realized she was still standing in the doorway, staring after Starkey.
    With a polite nod for old man Phil, who shuffled past her on his morning walk, she went back into the house, trying to convince herself that Roderick Guerrero had forgotten all about that Homecoming incident. But the memory of returning home to hear from her mother that he’d shown up in a suit and was carrying a corsage made her groan.
    Who was she kidding? He’d remember….

7
    â€œR od? You in there?”
    It was his father. Already. Jorge must’ve told him. Or Starkey. Or someone else who’d seen him having breakfast at Bailey’s.
    Reluctant to be disturbed, he raised his head from the pillow. “I’m sleeping!”
    â€œI brought you something” came the response.
    â€œWhatever it is, I don’t want it.”
    â€œI think you will. Open the door.”
    Rod muttered a curse. This was his own fault for driving out to the ranch this morning. But it didn’t matter. His father would’ve learned of his presence sooner or later. Bordertown was too small for anyone to remain anonymous for long. “Will you go away if I do?”
    There was a slight pause. “If that’s what you want.”
    Kicking off the sheet, he rolled out of bed and yanked on a pair of shorts. “What now?” he demanded as he jerked open the door.
    Bruce handed him a stack of newspapers. “These have articles about the killings. I thought you might like to read them. They’ll give you a feel for what’s happened and what’s been done about it so far.”
    This was the one thing Bruce could’ve brought that Rod wouldn’t be angry about. “Fine.