Page 32 of Deadly Conflicts

9

Nine

“No one was hitand the only thing missing appears to be the car.”

James, Jake, and Grady met in the city’s centralized parking lot after dark. The fireworks went off despite the gunshots and theft, although a few people complained about rioting teenagers and how Mount Clemens had really gone downhill. Everything else went off without a hitch.

“I don’t get it,” James muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Why steal a car in the middle of a festival? That’s freaking … ballsy.”

“And it wasn’t even a good car,” Jake said.

“Hey!” Vince made a face as he detached from the side of James’ truck and moved in the men’s direction. “That was a perfectly good car.”

“It was a four-door sedan worth about fifteen grand,” James shot back. “Don’t pat yourself on the back too hard. It’s not as if it was a luxury automobile.”

“You’re a dick,” Vince snapped.

“I can live with that,” James said, scanning the dark and almost empty expanse. “Where is my wife?”

“We’re right here,” Mandy said, peering over the hood of the truck. She looked exhausted but otherwise fine. “We sat between the vehicles and didn’t move, just like you asked.”

“Yes, it was great watching the fireworks from in between cars,” Ally deadpanned.

“I’m sorry, angel,” Jake said, shuffling over to his feisty girlfriend. “We had to watch everyone else and that meant we couldn’t give you guys the attention you deserved.”

“It’s okay,” Ally said. “We got to see the fireworks.” She hiccupped, causing Jake to narrow his eyes. “And Mandy found a bottle of Lithuanian berry something or other in the truck. She bought it the other day and forgot about it.”

“You’re drunk?”

Ally shrugged. “Maybe just a little.”

“Oh, well, great,” Jake muttered. “That’s exactly what this night needed. Drunk women.”

“I am not drunk,” Ally clarified. “I’m tipsy.”

Jake wanted to be angry – heck, even a little annoyed – but all he could muster was a smile. She was adorable when drunk. “Please tell me you guys have water to drink down there.”

“We have that, too,” Mandy said, lifting a bottle. “I miss that berry stuff, though. We need to get more of that for the house, James.”

“I’ll get right on it, baby,” James said, shaking his head. “Is the bottle empty?”

Sophie held up the blue bottle in question and made a mournful face. “It died a good death.”

“Oh, I need to get you home,” Grady said. “I love it when you’re drunk and sympathetic for no good reason. It means you’re going to be really pliable when we get in bed.”

“You’re a sick man,” James said, making a face. “What is the matter with you?”

“Oh, please,” Grady scoffed, pointing at Mandy as she made pretty faces in James’ direction. “Tell me you don’t want to take that home right now.”

James considered arguing, but she too was adorable. “Drink some water, baby,” James instructed. “You don’t feel like you’re going to throw up, do you?”

Mandy shook her head.

“Good. I’ll be done here in five minutes.” James turned his attention to Vince. “Where were the keys to the car?”

“Right here.” Vince dug into his pocket and retrieved the keys. “I don’t get how someone could steal the car without the keys.”

“There are a variety of different ways,” James said. “We need to figure out exactly which one was used. I doubt someone took the time to hot-wire it with so many people around. That means that someone had a key cut.”