Read Online Whisper Beach by Shelley Noble - Free Book Online Page A

flashed with interest or anger, he couldn’t tell. Nor did he care.
    â€œWell, if you really want to know. She’s totally sophisticated. Sle-e-e-ek.” She drew the word out. “And totally full of herself. Probably wouldn’t give any of us, including you, the time of day. In fact, she just came to the funeral, made a scene afterwards and left without even acknowledging anybody. Still the stuck-up bitch she always was.”
    â€œYou know better.” Joe reached for his burger; this time it made it to his mouth.
    â€œWell, she was and still is,” Dana said, knowing his mouth was full and he couldn’t defend Van.
    â€œThat’s so much horseshit and you know it.” Hal leaned overthe bar so he could see Dana past Joe. “She was always nice. And if she didn’t have much time to party and get in trouble, it’s because she was working all the time to support her dad.”
    â€œOh, and an angel, too. I forgot that part. All you boys thought so, didn’t you? Just because she wouldn’t put out for any of you. Except maybe for Joe.”
    Joe swallowed. “Okay, that’s enough. You’ve had your moment. Now it’s over. Van was here and I assume she left again after the funeral.” As a hint it wasn’t very subtle, but his patience was hanging by a thread.
    â€œWouldn’t you like to know?”
    Joe dropped his head in exasperation. Did Dana have any idea how silly she sounded? Like she was still in high school instead of a grown woman.
    Calloused fingers wrapped around Dana’s arm. She twisted in reaction.
    â€œShe wasn’t doing anything, Bud,” Joe said.
    Bud scowled at him; his eyes had the glazed-over look of too many beers with a bit of bully thrown in.
    Joe turned back to his burger.
    Bud pulled Dana toward him, practically lifting her off her feet. Jerry started to stand. Joe put out a warning hand. Mike would kill them if they started a brawl. He’d just finished refurbishing the place after the last one.
    Bud pushed Dana behind him.
    She just laughed and peered around his side. “Maybe she’ll decide to stay for a few days. Maybe you should go ask her to.”
    â€œShut up, Dana. Get in the truck,” Bud said.
    Dana reached out and snagged her drink. Gave Joe an air kiss and sashayed across the room.
    Bud didn’t follow.
    â€œGive it a rest, Bud. You know she’s just being Dana.”
    â€œYeah, but I got something else to say to you.”
    Joe glanced at his rapidly cooling burger. “Mind if I eat while you talk?”
    â€œIt won’t take long. You’re letting those poachers use your mudflats to catch crabs and clams. It’s a restricted area. If you don’t stop them—”
    â€œLook, Bud, I told you. I don’t own that property. I’m just working there for the season. They’re not my mudflats. And it’s not my responsibility to stop them.”
    â€œBut it is your responsibility to call the police when they trespass.”
    â€œI don’t ever see them trespassing.” Joe picked up his burger and took a bite.
    Bud stared at him for a couple of extra seconds then finally walked away.
    Hal slid back onto his stool. “Arrested development, the two of them.”
    â€œYeah,” Joe said. “Kind of like being back on the playground.”
    â€œOr wandering into a bad western.”
    â€œHe was always a bully, long as I can remember,” Jerry added. “Just never grew out of it. At least you guys don’t have to work with him.”
    â€œHeard he got censured or whatever the cops do for rough-handling people he picked up.”
    â€œYeah. We all figure it’s just a matter of time till he goes bonkers. You feel like you’re always walking on eggshells around him. He’s supposed to be going to these anger management sessions.”
    Hal snorted. “Well, if they’re using my hard-earned tax dollars,