June Bug by Jess Lourey Read Free Book Online Page A

I told myself that I was being aloof and respectful in not hitting on him because he was currently dating Liza, personal stylist at the Under the Lilacs salon in downtown Battle Lake. The truth, though, was that I was a big hairy chickenshit.
    “Where’s Johnny now?” I said, my voice cracking slightly.
    “Dunno.”
    “What exactly is he doing here?”
    “Dunno.”
    By now we had reached the front office, and I didn’t want to hurt Jed with any more probing. I could hunt around for Johnny on my own after Jed got me set up with the gear. I walked through the creaky screen door he held open and glanced around the musty porch. The mildewy smell reminded me of my grandma’s basement, a dirt-floor affair where she kept her canned goods. One corner of the porch was cluttered with cracked chairs stacked seat on seat, retired ice augers, and bright orange, foamy flotation devices. There were some old BCs—the buoyancy compensator vests that controlled a diver’s depth and held the tank, air hoses and regulator, and dive gauges—and wetsuits hanging on ceiling hooks in the other damp-looking corner.
    The main office was on the other side of the porch. It was surprisingly modern, with tongue-and-groove knotty pine walls, a sitting area with In Fisherman magazines splayed around a Skittles-filled candy dish, and a long front counter. There was a newish Dell computer behind the desk hooked up to a scanner, printer, fax machine, and flat-screen monitor. I wondered how the Heikes could afford the new technology. It seemed like their resort was half empty most of the time now, and they had no other source of income that I was aware of. I thought the money would have been better spent on paint for the cabins, but maybe the computer saved time and helped them book reservations and advertise.
    “Just lemme check something real quick.” Jed slid over the counter with a practiced air and grabbed one of the walkie-talkies from next to the computer. “Breaker, breaker, this is Angel Eyes, come in. Over.” Jed winked at me and started getting the giggles.
    “What is it, Jed?” Sal’s voice was crackly.
    “Heyah, Cool Momma, is cabin three still getting used tonight? Over.”
    Crackle. “No, Angel Eyes, cabin three canceled.” Sal walked through the door, still speaking into the walkie-talkie. “They’ve moved to Shangri-La. Cool Momma out.”
    “Roger.” Jed put the walkie-talkie back into its holder, and Sal clicked hers off.
    “Hi, Mira. What brings you to our lonely resort?’
    I pursed my lips. I genuinely liked the Heikes. Being ex-hippies, they passed for ethnic diversity in this town. “Business not so good, huh?”
    “Not so good. But it’ll pick up. We’ve got new plans.”
    I nodded at their computer. “You guys’ll be fine. Anyhow, I’m just here to rent scuba equipment. I’m gonna do some diving on Whiskey.”
    “You and the rest of the world. What’s going on over at Shangri-La?”
    I considered not telling, but the world was going to know soon enough. I explained the missing-diamond story, the Star Tribune drop box, and the five-grand reward, adding, “I’m going to check it out. Who knows, maybe they put the box in early.”
    “Hmm. It might be time to pull me and Bill’s gear out of retirement. Maybe we’ll see you on the wet side, Mira!” Sal stepped over to the computer, clicked in a few words, and then went out through the back door. Jed followed her and was out of sight.
    I knew he’d remember that I was waiting soon enough, so I poked my head out the side window and looked around for Johnny. It wasn’t too hard for my eyes to find him next to the fish-cleaning shed, what with the sun kissing his rippling, sweat-glistened, shirtless body and his thick hair curling around his ears and neck where it had gotten hot and wet. Except for the feed cap on his head where the wreath of olive leaves should have been, he was Apollo soaking in his own brilliance.
    “Hey, Johnny, how’s the day