Divine Evil

instead.
    “And I thought you had a boring job.”
    He avoided her by going to his desk. He wanted to touch her, hold on to her, but a part of him felt stained with filth. “You should have gone home.”
    She sat on the corner of his desk. “I'll wait until you take me.”
    He glanced down to read Bud's careful, grammar school handwriting. “I need to make this call.” “I'm in no hurry.”
    He pressed his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, then picked up the phone. At least Biff had shut up, he thought.
    “This is Sheriff Rafferty in Emmitsboro, I'd like to speak to Mr. or Mrs. Smithfield. Yes, Mrs. Smithfield. This is concerning the call you made to the state police regarding Carly Jamison.” He listened for a moment, then began taking notes. “Do you remember what she waswearing? Yes, yes, I know that spot. What time of day was it? No, ma'am, I don't blame you for not picking up a hitchhiker. Yes, it can be dangerous. I really couldn't say. No, you and your husband did the right thing. We appreciate your cooperation. Thank you, yes, if I need anything else, I'll be sure to call.”
    When he hung up, Clare tilted her head down and smiled. “You sounded real official and diplomatic.”
    “Thanks a lot.” Rising, he took her arm. “Let's get the hell out of here.”
    “So how old was the runaway?” she asked casually when they slipped back onto the bike.
    “About fifteen-female from Harrisburg. Carrying a red knapsack and pissed at the world because her parents wouldn't let her go to Florida for spring break.”
    “How long has she been missing?”
    “Too long.” He gunned the motor and took off.
    The sun was setting when she convinced him to relax on the porch swing for a few minutes with a glass of wine. She'd poured the twenty-dollar French chardonnay into jelly glasses.
    “My dad and I used to sit out on evenings like this and wait for the crickets to start.” She stretched out her long legs and sighed. “You know, Cam, coming back home means coming back to a load of problems. That doesn't mean it was the wrong decision.”
    He sipped, wondering if the glasses made the wine taste jazzier, or the company. “Are we talking about you or me?”
    She slanted him a look. “Word around town is that you're a pretty good sheriff.”
    “Since most people only have Parker for a yardstick, that isn't saying much.” He touched a curl that lay against her neck. “Thanks. If I'd gone straight home, I'd have smashed a wall or something.”
    “Glad I could help. I also heard you have a nifty house.” She watched him as she sipped. “Of course, I haven't been invited to see it.”
    “Looks like I owe you a tour.”
    “Looks like.”
    They drank in companionable silence, watching a car drive by, listening to a dog bark, breathing in the scent of hyacinths her father had planted years before.
    The sun dropped lower, and the breeze shifted shadows over the lawn.
    It seemed natural, almost familiar, when he touched a hand to her face, turned it toward his. His lips brushed over hers, sampling. With their eyes open, they leaned closer, soothed by the gentle movement of the swing. When he deepened the kiss, was compelled to deepen it, he tasted the quick release of her breath.
    One glass of wine shouldn't make the head spin, she thought as she put a hand to his chest. Neither should one kiss, especially from a man she'd known most of her life.
    Shaken, she drew away. “Cam, I think-”
    “Think later,” he muttered and pulled her against him again.
    Exotic. It was strange that the shy, skinny girl from his childhood should taste so exotic. Feel so erotic. He knew his mouth was impatient, but he couldn't help it. He'd had no idea that one touch, one taste, would lead to a grinding need for more.
    When she could breathe again, she shifted back an inch, then two, until her dazed eyes could focus on his face. The restless desire in his eyes had her heart racing.
    “Oh,” she managed, and he smiled.
    “Is that good or bad?”
    “Just-oh.” With an unsteady hand she brought her glass to her lips. Wine helped cool the heat he had lickedinto her mouth. “I thought I was coming back for some quiet and relaxation.” “It's real quiet tonight.”
    “Yeah.” And if he kissed her again, she was damn sure she'd go off like a rocket. “Cam, I've always thought in a place like this, things should move slow. Very slow.”
    “Okay.” He brought her back, settling her head on his shoulder. He'd