Page 93 of Stone Coast

My phone buzzed with a call from Olivia. “Where the hell are you?”

“It’s a long story,” I said, slurring from my fat lip, like I’d been to the dentist and gotten a face full of novocaine.

“I take it we’re not going down to Coconut Key.”

“Change of plans.”

“You’re not alone on your boat, are you?”

“No.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m… with a friend.”

She hesitated a moment, then asked in a salacious voice, “Is he cute?”

“It’s not like that.”

“What’s it like?”

“He’s a friend.”

“Where did you meet thisfriend?”

“Like I said, it’s a long story.”

“I bet it is,” she said in a naughty tone. “You can tell me how long in the morning.”

“Whatever.”

“Why do you sound like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’ve got a mouth full of marbles.”

“I’m eating.”

After a doubtful pause, she said, “Okay, I’ll let you get back to whatever it is you’re doing. Call me if you need anything. Is this guy safe?”

“Yes. He’s fine.”

“I’m sure he is. You’re getting more action than me.”

“I’m not getting any action. Not that kind, at least.”

She scoffed. “Full report in the morning.”

“There’s nothing to report. And if anyone asks, you don’t know where I am.”

“I don’t!”

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I said, then ended the call.

I washed the crusted blood from my face and chin, found some ibuprofen in the medicine cabinet, then crawled off to bed with the cool pack on my face.

My mind raced, and my head ached. It was hard to unwind. When I finally dozed off, I had nightmares. At least, I hoped they were nightmares, not visions.