Blue Jeans and a Badge Read Online Free PDF Page B

should be safe enough. If he could just talk her into taking a closer look at that view.
    He grinned. “What’s wrong? Didn’t bring a T-shirt?”
    â€œOf course I brought one. But there’s nowhere to change.”
    He wiggled his eyebrows. “Don’t be shy on my account.”
    â€œIn your dreams, O’Donnaugh.”
    She had no idea.
    â€œCall me Philip,” he told her for about the fifth time. “Since we’re undressing together and all.”
    She wagged her finger at him. “I’m not undressing.”
    â€œIt’ll probably be eighty-five degrees out by noon,” he warned.
    â€œI’ll live.”
    He climbed back in the Jeep with her, suddenly in a better mood. She was right. It was a beautiful day. Why not enjoy it, and her, instead of stressing out about things he had no control over? He’d done that for eleven years back in California and look where it had landed him.
    They’d find the right turnoff sooner or later. In the meantime, he should kick back and take pleasure in his surroundings. There were worse things than driving around in spectacular country with a sexy woman by your side. He just had to keep it all in perspective.
    The next road he tried was the right one.
    His police vehicle didn’t even cause a ripple in the large crowd when he pulled up to the Munoz place and parked next to a truck bearing the tribal police emblem. The old man had done his job well.
    People were everywhere, on the wraparound porch of the ranch-style house chatting, beside the garage where a basketball hoop was being attacked by a bunch of young men, around back where a fire pit burned and long tables had been set up, children running back and forth with dogs and a Frisbee. Men sat around the tables talking, and women strolled back and forth with dishes and babies. A few looked up, but most just continued what they were doing.
    Before he and Luce had climbed out of the Jeep, a tall, lanky man wearing a brown uniform walked over to them. He had hair past his shoulder blades in the style of a younger Indian man but the piercing black eyes of a seasoned veteran who’d been around the block a few times.
    â€œYou must be the Piñon Lake cops,” he said.
    â€œThat’s right,” Philip responded.
    â€œNot me.” Next to him, Luce sent the officer a brilliant smile. The policeman’s brow hiked.
    What the hell was she up to? Philip put out his hand and introduced himself to prevent questions.
    â€œLieutenant Joseph Clay Pipe,” the tribal officer replied. “Friends call me Joseph. You’re looking for Clyde Tafota?”
    â€œJust a few questions I’d like to ask him,” Philip said.
    â€œAnd the lady?”
    â€œI’m only along for the ride.” She casually took hold of Philip’s arm with both hands. Like she belonged there. And beamed up at him. “I’m visiting from out of town.”
    What did she mean by that? Philip froze, taken aback by the implications of her improvised strategy. What was he supposed to do now? Act like her boyfriend?
    â€œMixing a little business with pleasure, eh?” Joseph said with a nod of masculine approval.
    â€œDoing my best,” Philip managed, shifting mental gears fast.
    Well, nothing ventured nothing gained, eh?
    All at once the day got a whole lot more interesting.
    Reaching over, he tucked a windblown lock of Luce’s hair behind her ear. And beamed back.
    Her eyes flared and he saw exactly when she realized she’d made a tactical error. A big one. She tried to step away from him, but he was quicker, putting his hand over hers on his arm. Holding her there.
    She tugged at her hand. “Um, listen, um, Philip …while you talk to the lieutenant, I think I’ll look for somewhere to change out of this turtleneck. I’m boiling.”
    Well, well. She’d finally used his first name. He figured that called for a celebration.
    He