Eddy shrugged. “The kids I’ve talked to who have seen the ‘vette don’t know. They say there aren’t even any tags on the car.“
“That new sheriff, Barnes, has he tried to stop the races?“
“Hah. Sheriff Barnes ain’t like old Gil Thorp. Barnes has got more important things to do than come all the way over from Vickston in the middle of the night to break up occasional drag races on River Road. I’ll tell you something, Colby. That black ‘vette is becoming a legend, just like you were twenty years ago.“
“If I ever get my hands on the new legend of River Road, I’m going to shorten his career real quick. I owe him for what he did last summer. He could have killed Diana.“ Colby opened the car door and dropped onto the front seat.
“You tell him I’m lookin’ for him if you ever meet him, Eddy.“
“What happened to you and Diana took place last summer, Colby.“
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve got a long memory.“
Eddy pulled the brim of his cap down lower to shield his eyes. “I’ll spread the word, Colby.“
“Do you really think she’s going to die, Dad?“ Brandon sat on the edge of the lumpy armchair in Aunt Jesse’s house and looked at his father, who was seated on the sofa beside Diana.
“I don’t know. As far as I can figure out, no one knows at this point.“
“I thought her color was much better tonight.“ Diana stirred and shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position. There were very few such positions these days, she’d discovered. And today she couldn’t seem to find a single one. Colby was massaging her lower back with an automatic motion. He always knew when she was hurting.
She leaned into his warm palm, savoring the small comfort.
“You okay, honey?“ Colby asked with concern.
“I’m fine. Just the usual aches and pains. I’ll be so glad when this baby gets here.“
Colby grinned. “This from the woman who’s been worrying about surviving labor pains for nearly nine months?“
“I’ve reached the point where I just want to get it all over. Even if it hurts to get it over,“ Diana admitted wryly.
“You two settled on the names?“ Brandon asked. “You’re still going to call the baby Josh if it’s a boy, and Tabitha if it’s a girl?“
“Tabitha Jane,“ Diana said, drawing out each word with loving care. “Do you like it, Brandon?“
“Josh sounds old-fashioned, but it’s okay. You do realize that if it’s a girl everyone’s going to call her Tabby?“
Brandon pointed out. “Tike a cat?“
Colby was about to respond when they all heard the sound of a car in the drive. Specter’s ears snapped forward and he got up to prowl toward the front door.
“Who is it?“ Diana asked.
“Might be Gil Thorp. He’s probably heard we’re in town and decided to stop by and say hello.“ Colby stood up and went to join Specter at the door.
A moment later there was the sound of a man’s heavy boot on the front porch and Colby pushed open the door.
“Eddy,“ he said. “What’s up?“
Eddy Spooner appeared on the threshold. He was turning his camouflage cap in his hand and he had a concerned expression on his face.
“‘Evenin Diana. Brandon.“
“Hi, Eddy.“ Brandon got to his feet.
“Hello, Eddy. Won’t you come in?“ Diana smiled at him.
“Can’t. Thanks, anyway. I just came by to see Colby about somethin’.“
“What’s this all about?“ Colby opened the door wider. “You’d better come inside. It’s cold out there.“
“Thanks. Yeah, it’s plenty cold out there. Supposed to get snow in a couple of days.“ Eddy looked at Colby. “You said you wanted to know if I ever heard any more about that black ‘vette on River Road.“
Diana frowned as she saw Colby’s quiet, keen attention. “Eddy? What’s this all about?“
“Never mind, Diana. I’ll explain it later.“ Colby watched Eddy closely. “You’ve got something?“
Eddy nodded quickly. “One of the kids came by the station just as I was closing. Said he’d heard the ‘vette would be out looking for action tonight. The kid’s been workin’ on his car for six months, and he’s been itchin’ to try it out against the ‘vette.“
“He’s going to have to wait a while longer. I get first crack at that bastard in the ‘vette.“
“Figured that’s what you’d say. Well, good luck, Colby. But, then, you always did get all the breaks.“ Eddy turned and walked out of the door to where his multicolored old Camaro sat in the drive.
Colby opened the closet door.
“Colby? What are you doing?“ Genuinely alarmed, Diana struggled to get out of the deep sofa.
“Don’t worry, Diana. I’ll be back as soon as I get this settled.“ Colby was hauling his jacket out of the closet as he spoke.
“Where are you going?“ she demanded, seizing the arm of the sofa to lever herself to her feet, “River Road.“
“You can’t. Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t go after that ‘vette by yourself. What do you think you’re going to do?
Have some sort of macho showdown? Colby, you said that whoever was driving that car last summer was probably a little crazy.“
“Don’t worry, Diana,“ Brandon said soothingly as he reached for his own jacket. “I’ll go with Dad.“
Colby swung around to confront his son. He started to argue but something he saw in Brandon’s set expression must have changed his mind. Perhaps it reminded him of himself. Colby nodded brusquely. “Let’s go.“
“Colby, please, listen to me. At least check with Gil Thorp or contact the sheriff’s department. This is police business.“
“No, it’s not,“ Colby said as he dug out his keys. “It’s personal. You’ll be fine here with Specter, honey. Just sit tight.“
He and Brandon were gone before Diana could think of any way to make them see reason. She was left standing at the door with Specter, listening to the sound of her Buick roaring out of the drive.
“When I drive that car the tires never squeal like that. Bunch of idiot, macho males. What am I going to do with them. Specter?“
Specter leaned against her, offering silent comfort, it his muzzle was pointed in the same direction Colby and Brandon had just taken. The dog looked faintly wistful at being left behind.