Hide and Seek

french bread under her arm and some butter and was smiling And there

was Casey, walking out the front door easy as you please. From the

look of the green book bag, she'd stuffed it with apples and

watermelon.

I lifted my own bag and walked outside. Casey had already gotten in

the back, and Steven was starting her up. I handed her my bag and she

looked at me. The pale blue eyes were sly and humorous.

"You don't approve."

"I don't disapprove, either."

"We only steal from chain stores."

"I suppose they can afford it."

"And we only steal delicacies. Look."

She dumped the book bag onto the seat. There were two big jars of

Icelandic caviar. Smoked sausages. Pates, liver and foisgras.

Cheeses. Oysters. Squid.

"We've got lunch, anyway."

"We sure do. It doesn't bother you?"

"Why should it bother me?"

"It's your town."

"But not my chain store."

She seemed to relax a bit. I wondered if I'd just passed some sort of

test with her. I wondered how many more to expect, and how many more

I'd want to deal with. She stared at me a long moment more than was

comfortable. Then Kim came out to the car, giggling. She glanced at

the backseat.

"Good haul?"

"The best. Hop in."

There was something in the tone of it. "Hop in." The words were

addressed to Kimberley, but I thought they were meant for me. I

guessed I was along for the ride. Something did a little two-step

across my spine.

"To the beach!"