Free Mississippi Blues by D'Ann Lindun Page B

fantasy.
    He flipped on the radio, tuning it to a blues station. Ray Charles came on wailing the last few bars of “Georgia
.
”
Trey sang along when B.B. King took over with “How Blue Can You Get?”
    He left his window down, the warm night air flowing over his left arm. Even at this late hour, the humidity hadn’t faded. The night was lit with a million bright stars and an orange-pink quarter moon hung low in the sky. Evenings like this often reminded him of his sole night with Summer. As hard as he tried to forget, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He shook off his longing. She’d made it more than clear she didn’t want him in her life.
    She would never face the fact Jace deserved his prison sentence.
    Trey cruised by Tango’s, not expecting to find his sister there. When he had been a kid, the proprietor had been a go-by-the book kind of guy. Not very likely to allow underage drinkers in his place. Especially the Chief’s daughter. Trey briefly considered Mugs-n-Jugs, but quickly discounted the idea. The bar was a known hangout for toughs and lowlifes. Lindy was too young to be admitted there.
    That left Daisy’s. He seriously doubted Lindy would be let in there either, but he decided to check anyway. There wasn’t any sign of her bright yellow Jeep in the parking lot, but Jody’s dark green SUV sat there. Trey pulled along the big car, parked, and went inside.
    He walked to the bar and ordered a beer from a petite girl with curly dark hair wearing a low-cut top that showed off breasts pushed so high they nearly touched her chin. As she handed him a longneck, deliberately letting her fingers brush his, she winked.
    â€œThanks.” Ignoring her come-on, he laid a five on the bar, turned and leaned against the counter and did a quick perusal of the room. Several couples swayed to a band playing a country tune. No sign of Lindy.
    He recognized a few other people. A guy he’d gone to school with, a young woman who looked familiar but he couldn’t place her. No one he wanted to talk to right now. Maybe later when he had more time and less on his mind.
    He turned and spotted Jody across the room. He wore civilian clothes, not his police uniform. Trey took a deep swig of his beer then headed that direction when the song came to an end.
    Jody met him halfway. “Hey. What’s up?”
    â€œWhy aren’t you on the lookout for Jace?” Had the force gone to hell in a handbasket? It looked that way — if the officers were out partying when there was a convicted killer on the loose.
    â€œThe Chief wants to me to lay low and see if I hear anything. I thought I might pick up some interesting gossip in here.” Jody took a sip of his Coke. “How about a beer? Catch up?”
    Trey shook his head. “Thanks, I can’t. I’m looking for Lindy. Have you seen her?”
    â€œNo. Not here. But Daisy’s doesn’t allow underage drinkers.”
    Trey shrugged. “Yeah, I figured this was a long shot. I just thought I’d check it out. She’s not home, and with Jace on the loose, I’m worried.”
    â€œTry the quarry. That’s where the kids party. You ought to know that, man. You haven’t been gone that long, have you?” Jody tipped his glass and swallowed the last chunk of ice.
    â€œYeah, I’ll try out there. Have you seen anything interesting tonight? Heard anything about Hill?”
    Jody glanced around as if he might spot him lurking in the corner. “Jace?”
    â€œYeah. Who else?” Trey wondered if his old friend had been drinking.
    â€œJust thought you might be thinking of his fine lookin’ sister.” Jody grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.
    â€œWill you let it go?” Trey turned to let someone by and bumped into him. “Pardon me.”
    An attractive redhead reached out with a slim hand to brush his shirt where part of her drink had spilled on him.