3 Men and a Body by Stephanie Bond

garage and climbed in when
    you went in the house.”
    Coop looked like he wanted to shake him—or worse.
    “Why?”
    “Yes, why?” Carlotta demanded, crossing her arms.
    Wesley looked contrite. “I needed to get out of town for a
    few days. When I read your note, Carlotta, I thought
    coming with you and Coop was a good solution.”
    She gritted her teeth. “And why do you need to get out of
    town?”
    Wesley climbed out to stand in front of her. “Why didn’t
    you tel me about Dad?”
    Coop emitted a loud whistle and chopped the air with his
    hand. “Okay, time out. Why don’t we all get back in the
    van before we’re kil ed on the side of the interstate?”
    Carlotta wheeled away and walked back to the passenger
    door, climbed inside and slammed it. Wesley slid into the
    backseat and slammed his door. Coop vaulted into the
    driver’s seat and slammed his. They were all silent for a
    few seconds, then she erupted.
    “You scared us to death. We could’ve had an accident!”
    “Just when were you planning to make your presence
    known, Wesley?” Coop asked.
    “When you were too far down the road to take me back,”
    he replied.
    “I think we’re there,” Coop said dryly. “If I haul you home
    in this traffic, it’ll take us three hours to get back to this
    point.” He shot Wesley a hard look. “Or I could toss your
    ass out on the side of the road.”
    They all knew that Coop wouldn’t do that.
    “Why exactly did you have to leave town?” Carlotta
    demanded.
    “One of my benefactors is leaning on me.”
    “You mean one of your loan sharks?” she said, not
    bothering to hide her sarcasm.
    “Whatever. I thought it was best to lie low for a couple of
    days.”
    “You couldn’t lie low with a friend?” Coop asked.
    “Come on,” Wesley cajoled. “I can help you with the body,
    man. Carlotta’s no good to you with her bum arm.”
    Coop frowned. “I didn’t ask her to ride along for her
    weight-lifting skil s.”
    “I know why you asked her to ride along,” Wesley said
    pointedly. “This way I can keep on eye on you two.”
    “Wesley, I don’t need a chaperone,” Carlotta said, her face
    growing hot.
    “Okay, okay,” Coop muttered. He dragged his hand down
    his face. “You’re here. Let’s try to make the best of it.
    Everyone, buckle up.” He leaned forward and put the van
    in gear, checking the side mirror for a break in traffic, then
    eased back into the flow.
    Carlotta sat looking forward, still furious with her brother
    for ruining the weekend. So much for her and Coop getting
    to know each other.
    They were al silent for a couple of miles, each one
    stewing. Then from the back, Wesley asked, “So are you
    going to tel me about Dad or not?”
    She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh, then turned
    around. “I didn’t know it was him…at the time. This elderly
    man—at least I thought he was elderly—came up to me at
    the funeral home. He thought Jack was bothering me
    because Jack had raised his voice. I was in disguise at the
    time, so I assumed the man thought Jack was hassling an
    old lady. When I told him everything was fine, he walked
    away.”
    “So how did you know it was your father?” Coop asked.
    “I didn’t, until the day I came home from the hospital. I
    was sorting through the clothes I’d worn the day of the
    funeral, and I found a note in the pocket of the jacket.”
    Wesley leaned forward. “What did it say?”
    “It said, ‘So proud of you both. See you soon. Dad.’”
    Wesley’s jaw dropped. “So it was Dad.”
    She nodded. “He must have recognized me, even in
    disguise.”
    “If he was in disguise himself, he must have known what
    to look for,” Coop said.
    Wesley bounced in the seat, his eyes wide. “This is huge!
    They’re okay! I knew it!” Then he stopped bouncing. “Did
    you tel the cop?”
    “No,” she said. “No one knows except you two.”
    “Good thing I was eavesdropping,” Wesley said wryly, “or I
    might not ever have