Hiro nodded. “I know. But I don’t think she was the same girl that I saw in the boat.”
Gordy lowered the binoculars and watched the police boat prowl through the black waters along Big Foot Beach, ready for the next false alarm. Meanwhile Krypto Night was headed out to deeper water. Apparently, Superman was going to finish his picnic alone.
The girl Hiro had called Pom-Pom obviously made it to shore safely. The guy didn’t get arrested. And Lunk had finally arrived. So everybody was happy.
Except Hiro.
It was obvious by the way she stood — arms folded across her chest, her weight shifted onto one leg. He didn’t need to hear a word she was saying to see she was plenty worked up.
Which is exactly what he was going to be if they didn’t get to town for a snack before Scoops closed. He hustled to the driver’s seat and tapped the air horn. Cooper reacted immediately.
“I’m dying out here!” Gordy shouted. “Are we going to town or what?” Swimming to shore wouldn’t be a big deal, even when it was dark. But doing it alone with Krypto Night out on the lake? He pointed to the inflatable. “I need a ride to shore!”
Coop grabbed the inflatable and paddled out to pick him up. By the time they got back to the beach, Coop had him up to speed on Hiro’s suspicions.
Minutes later, all four of them crossed Lake Shore Drive. Lunk stood by his bike and waited while the rest of them unlocked their bikes from the trees. Bringing them had been Coop’s idea — and a good one. Wheels were as good as wings. They were freedom — and right now that meant food.
The road was quiet all the way into town, and so was Hiro. Gordy wanted to ask about the girl, but Hiro would talk when she was ready — and then there’d be no stopping her. Besides, this was supposed to be a vacation. No sense encouraging her to slip into cop mode. He raised his face into the full force of the warm wind.
Gordy coasted onto Baker Street and down the hill into the town of Lake Geneva, waiting for the others to catch up. Hiro trailed Lunk and Coop by thirty yards — lost in thought. And lost is exactly what she’d be if she didn’t put a little more effort into the pedaling.
The road curved onto Wrigley Drive, running parallel to the shore. He crossed the bridge, turned onto Broad Street, and skidded to a stop in front of Scoops. He leaned his bike against a table and checked the sign outside the door. “You want nutrition? Eat carrots.” Nice slogan. He pulled open the door and stepped inside.
In ice cream places, the AC was always cranked up. It felt good. He stepped closer to the glass coolers housing five-gallon tubs of joy — the most delicious ice cream he’d ever seen.
Zanzibar Chocolate. Snickers and Fudge. Yippee Skippee. Halley’s Comet. Superman. Blue Moon. Fat Elvis. And tubs more. Ice cream as different as the names on the labels. It was his second time in the shop, and he already loved this place.
A girl stepped up. Katie was engraved on her nametag. She was in her mid-twenties, maybe. Dark hair. Friendly smile. “Back again?” she said.
Gordy nodded. He didn’t even need to do the sample spoon thing this time. “Yippee Skippee,” he said. “Pile it high.”
Katie took a scooper out of the rinse water and leaned into the task.
Coop and Lunk stepped inside the shop. Hiro followed a minute later.
Katie set Gordy’s bowl on the counter and started working on Coop’s order.
Gordy cruised along the freezer cases looking at the ice cream tubs. “This must be a dream job,” he said.
Katie smiled. “Actually I’m a teacher. That’s my dream job. But this is fun for the summer. I also work the mailboat most mornings.” She placed Coop’s heaping bowl on the counter.
Lunk leaned against the counter. “Do you make root beer floats?”
Katie smiled. “Not if I can convince you to try something else.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like root beer.”
“Don’t like root beer?” Lunk looked at her like she couldn’t possibly be serious. “Try a root beer float. Something magical happens when you mix vanilla ice cream with root beer.”
Katie set the scooper down. “There’s nothing magical about ruining perfectly good ice cream.”
Lunk snickered and checked the ice cream flavors while Katie took Hiro’s order.
Gordy grabbed a table in the back.
Coop was already digging into his Halley’s Comet before he sat down.
“How is it?” Gordy said.
Coop closed his eyes and smiled — which pretty much said it all.
Hiro joined them a minute later. She seemed more like herself. Maybe the bike ride had helped. She looked like she was on vacation again.
“What did you get, Hiro?” Gordy said.
She sat with a single scoop. “Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Rich chocolate ice cream with chunks of brownies, chocolate-covered raspberry cups, and a sweet raspberry ripple. Who thinks of this stuff?”
“A genius,” Gordy said.
She took a bite. “Mmmmmm. Oh yes! We’re definitely coming back here.”
Lunk stood at the counter while Katie dug into one of the ice cream containers.
“So, Lunk,” Hiro said. “Nice haircut.”
Lunk shrugged. “What hair?”
Hiro laughed. “I kinda like the new look. It’s cute.”
“Oh, that helps.” Lunk shuffled over and sat down with a heaping bowl of ice cream in his hands.
Hiro shook her head. “Vanilla? It took you longer than any of us to make your choice, and you picked vanilla?”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Lunk said. “Pure. No frills. None of that foo-foo stuff like what you picked.”
“Foo-foo?” Hiro shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m ridiculous?” Lunk snorted. “You can’t admit that the woman at the beach was the same one you insisted was dead.” He took a bite of his ice cream. “You reported a murder before somebody actually got killed.”
Excellent. Gordy wanted everyone to forget about the bogus crime. They needed to focus on the vacation.
Hiro put down her spoon. “I don’t think it was the same girl.”
“White top. Jean shorts. Blonde. Cheerleader type,” Lunk said. “Everything fits.”
“Seriously? That’s like saying she’s a Caucasian and all Caucasians look the same. Or all Asians look the same.”
“Don’t they?” Lunk put on an innocent face. “Asians, I mean.”
Hiro balled her hand into a fist and slugged his arm.
Lunk laughed. Seemed like just the reaction he was looking for.
“So what are we doing tomorrow?” Gordy said.
Hiro worked the spoon in her ice cream until the chocolate and raspberry blended into a dark, creamy swirl. “I saw her when the boat pulled out. She looked at me. Smiled.” She lifted the spoon and sampled the mix. “But when I saw her on the beach . . . she was different somehow.”
“Her hair was wet,” Gordy said. “That’ll change how anybody looks. Except Lunk — because his hair is gone.”
Hiro stared off at nothing. “It was more than that.”
Lunk waved his hand in front of her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell the cop when you had the chance?”
“The girl was right there looking at me,” Hiro said. “It creeped me out.”
“Baloney,” Lunk said. “You’re not afraid to tell anybody anything. Not when you’re sure you’re right.”
“I totally agree.” Cooper leaned forward. “Deep down you can’t even convince yourself it was a different girl.”
Hiro set her spoon down. “Did it look like the same girl to you?”
She didn’t sound sure of herself. It was all about one of her feelings. Not facts.
Cooper shrugged. “I barely saw her. I was a little busy thinking about dead fish and wondering if Kryptoski was going to find them before he pulled out of the bay.”
Gordy looked at him. Cooper had probably been thinking about that panic attack he’d had too.
Lunk held up bo
th hands. “Hold on. The girl gave the cop an ID. I saw him check it. Her name was Lynn.”
“And what does that prove?” Hiro rubbed her necklace again. “Her name was Lynn. Her ID matched. So what? I don’t think she was the same girl I saw in the boat.”
“Okay,” Coop said. “Then let’s call the police.” He fished his phone out of his pocket and held it out to her. “If you’re that sure, make the call.”
Was Coop calling her bluff — or was he serious?
Hiro crossed her arms over her chest and eyed Coop’s phone. “I’m sure . . . but maybe I’m not sure sure. Does that make sense?”
Gordy wanted to comment, but held his toungue. Maybe Hiro needed to take another bike ride and clear her head. Gordy glanced out the window to check on their bikes. A man was standing on the sidewalk like he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to come in or not. He obviously hadn’t tasted Scoops’ ice cream or else he’d be standing in front of the counter by now. But he just stood there with shadows covering his face. This guy didn’t know what he was missing.
Coop pocketed his phone. “When you’re sure sure, we’ll make the call. And just out of curiosity, if it wasn’t Lynn, who do you think was in the boat?”
Hiro glanced at the man outside and then lowered her voice. “That’s what we need to find out.”
Hiro had a creepy feeling. She’d felt fine when they walked into Scoops. But something had changed. She looked around to figure out the source of her uneasiness. Not the girl behind the counter. Katie was swaying to the rhythm of some song that must be playing in her head. She held the scoop like a microphone and silently mouthed the words. No, it wasn’t Katie.
Hiro looked out the window. The man was still there. Her stomach tightened. Was he watching them? He appeared to be intensely interested in their bikes.
She eyed him, trying not to look obvious. There were too many shadows, and she could only get a side view. He was wearing a baseball cap pulled low over longish blond hair — and the color didn’t look natural. Average height. Maybe a couple inches under six feet. He was also wearing a loose jacket — so she couldn’t even guess at his weight. And he had a beard. A full one that started just below the cheekbones. Something about him unnerved her. She rubbed the goosebumps on her arms.
Hiro needed a closer look. She wasn’t sure why, but she just knew it. Then again, another part of her wanted to get as far away from the man as possible. Why would he be watching them? She stood and moved toward the window.
The man jammed his hands into his pockets and headed up Broad Street — as if he knew she was onto him.
“Let’s go,” she said. “I’m freezing.”
She caught Coop’s eye. He gave her a curious look but obviously knew her well enough not to question her. Not out loud, anyway.
“Let’s take it outside,” Coop said, standing.
Lunk joined him.
“Are you serious?” Gordy said. “We just got here. What if we want more ice cream?”
Hiro made a beeline for the door. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”
The man in the baseball cap was already two stores away and walking fast. By the way he carried himself, he looked strong. Solid. The idea of running after him seemed beyond ridiculous. Hiro stopped and watched him, hoping he’d glance back. She wanted him to see that she was onto him.
He jaywalked across Broad Street, never once looking behind him. He reached in his pocket for something. Keys. The parking lights of a black pickup parked near Main Street clicked on and off. Could it be the same truck she’d seen at the beach?
Gordy was still whining when he walked out of Scoops. They couldn’t ride their bikes while holding ice cream, so they locked their bikes and walked toward the waterfront.
Hiro found a bench where she could keep an eye on the pickup.
“Okay, Hiro,” Coop said. “Wanna tell us what that was all about?”
“Did you see that man outside Scoops?” Hiro said. “I have a really weird feeling about the guy.”
Lunk took a bite. “He wanted ice cream, just like us.”
“Then why not go inside?” Hiro put down her ice cream cup and hugged herself. “I felt like he was . . . watching us.”
“Maybe you’re paranoid,” Lunk said. “First, you think you see a murder. Then you don’t. And then you think that girl isn’t who she claims to be, so the murder theory is back. Now you think a window shopper at Scoops is watching you. Don’t you think that’s a little . . .” Lunk circled his ear with his forefinger.
Hiro took a deep breath. If she let herself get all frustrated, she wouldn’t be able to think clearly. “There’s something weird about that guy.” She pointed at the pickup. “And why is he just sitting there in his truck?”
“Maybe he’s texting someone.”
Hiro shook her head. “He’s watching.”
“He’s like a block away,” Lunk said.
“Close enough to keep an eye on us.”
“Okay, Sherlock,” Lunk said. “Or should I call you Shirley Holmes?” Taking Hiro’s wrists in his hands, he stood and pulled her to her feet. She almost dropped her cup of Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. He backed toward the waterfront, pulling Hiro along with him. “I think you’ve done enough detective work for one night.”
Hiro struggled to break free.
“Look at her thrashing around,” Lunk said. “It’s like she’s addicted to cop work. I think we’re getting her away from this just in time.”
“Let me go, Lunk!” She pulled against Lunk’s grip. “Kryptoski talked to someone in a pickup at the beach. It could be him.”
“Half the drivers in Wisconsin drive pickups,” Lunk said. “It doesn’t mean there’s a connection.”
The truck rumbled to life. A deep sound. Hiro strained to see. “Let me get his plate number.”
Gordy stepped in, blocking her vision. “Oh no you don’t. We’re on vacation.”
Coop was still sitting on the bench, watching the scene unfold with a half-smile on his face.
Hiro growled her frustration. “I’m warning you, boys.”
Lunk didn’t ease up, but pulled her toward the Riviera’s shops and excursion boat docks.
“You will not pull me one more inch.” Hiro jerked back hard, hoping her act looked convincing.
Lunk took the bait. He took a wide stance and leaned back.
It was exactly what she’d hoped for. She suddenly rushed toward him. Without her pulling against him, Lunk staggered backward, momentarily off balance. Hiro plowed into him with her whole body.
He let go of her wrist, and his arms flailed in the air for an instant.
Hiro hooked his leg with hers and did her best to give him another push.
Lunk went down hard.
Standing over him, Hiro dug out a spoonful of ice cream and tried to look casual. “Don’t mess with me, Lunk. I’m tougher than you are.”
Lunk blinked in disbelief — and a grin spread across his face.
“Whoa, Hiro!” Gordy said. “Nice move!”
Hiro spun around. “Out of my way, or you’re next.”
Gordy raised both hands in surrender. “I’m not stopping you.”
Hiro pushed past him and looked for the pickup. It was gone. “Thanks, guys. Real smart. We may have just lost our one lead in this case.”
“Case?” Lunk brushed off his camo shorts and walked toward her. “There is no case.”
Hiro took another bite and smiled. “Not yet.”
He backed Black Beauty into a parking stall at The Cove and cut the engine. He was a firm believer that every pickup should have a name. Not just Ford or Chevy, but something that made a statement. Black Beauty was a good fit. Dark as night itself. Able to take him wherever he needed to go — fast. And the thing was gorgeous.
But it wasn’t his truck the girl was interested in. She must have suspected something. It was sloppy of him. He’d gotten too close. But he had to be sure. And the boss did want him to send a message, didn’t he?
> Actually, he was glad he’d been spotted. Because the smallest seed of a scare could grow a whole forest of fear. And fear was his most effective weapon.
He slid out of the pickup and made his way on foot. It was better this way. Besides, he did his best thinking when he was moving. Or driving. Sitting in the truck to wait didn’t work for him.
He wouldn’t be working for Kryptoski forever. And he was good with that. He was good at cleaning up Kryptoski’s dirty diapers too. And this one was a doozy. He didn’t hate his work, although his feelings for the boss were an entirely different story. There would be a day of reckoning, though. That thought always made his work easier.
It had been a boring job, for the most part. But his employment might end a lot quicker than he’d expected. Not that he wasn’t prepared. He chuckled to himself. They had no idea how ready he was. He had his bugout bag packed and in the bed of the pickup so he could disappear off the grid whenever he sensed the time was right. But the kids had changed things. Now there were more plans to make.
He crossed Center Street and walked through the shadows of Flatiron Park. He leaned against a tree and watched the kids. It was amazing how one small turn of events could suddenly make his job so interesting.
Cooper finished off his ice cream and tossed the cup into the trash can. They still had time before Hiro had to be at the condo. He wandered toward the docks and the others followed.
His parents had taken him to Lake Geneva every summer. He’d grown to love the place.
The weather-worn boards thumped and echoed over the still water as the four of them walked toward the end of the pier.
Gordy threw a stick into the water, shattering the glassy surface. “Are we just going to leave our bikes outside Scoops?”
“They’re locked,” Cooper said. “And that may give us a chance to test Hiro’s theory.”
“Oh, come on,” Gordy said. “Not you too.”
Hiro was all ears. “What are you saying?”
“He’s saying,” Gordy said, “that he’s only kidding. He’s messing with you, Hiro.”
“Coop?” She gave him a skeptical look.
Below the Surface Page 5
