Absolute Pressure by Sigmund Brouwer

weekend. And the guys who called themselves Miami lawyers would be gone at the end of it.
    I’d see what I could do between now and then.
    I had just shut the hood when I saw a familiar scooter ridden by a familiar person.
    Sherri.
    I tasted blackberries.
    Yup, things were definitely looking better and better.

chapter twenty-two
    â€œWow,” Sherri said, as she pulled up on her scooter beside the truck. “What a coincidence. I was going out to Raccoon Key because I heard about a job. Lucky for you, huh?”
    â€œLucky,” I said.
Very lucky.
    â€œHow about I give you a ride back?” she said. “You can call a towing service or something from town.”
    â€œSure.”
    She patted the back of her scooter. “It won’t be fast. But it should get us there.”
    I jumped on the back of the scooter. I was afraid to put my arms around her. She grabbed my hands and wrapped my arms around her waist.
    â€œThat’s better,” she said. “Hold on tight.”
    Like I wouldn’t.
    She took us all the way back into downtown Key West. She went slowly, and it was the best half hour of my life.
    She parked in front of an ice-cream store.
    â€œLet’s talk,” she said, pulling off her helmet and shaking her hair loose.
    Like I wouldn’t.
    I bought her a milkshake. Chocolate. Vanilla for me. We sat in the shade of a palmetto.
    â€œYesterday afternoon,” she said after a long slurp, “when you guys were out in the
GypSea
, I came back to the office. I saw Judd inside. I thought it was weird. You know, because of his social securitynumber being wrong. So I watched through the window. He was on the computer. So I know he’s up to something.”
    â€œMaybe,” I said. “But what?” I still didn’t know if I should tell her about the three-hundred-million-dollar treasure.
    â€œAnd don’t you think it’s weird that you nearly died twice in accidents in one week? I’m sure that’s why Gord is sending you away.”
    â€œMaybe it’s weird,” I said again. “Or maybe it’s just bad luck.” I kept my eyes on my milkshake. She was very distracting, and I didn’t want her to know it.
    â€œAnd one other thing,” she said. “Just shaking hands good-bye is rotten.”
    I lifted my eyes and stared straight into hers.
    â€œHuh?” I managed to say.
    â€œWe’ve been working together for four summers. Maybe you aren’t going to be back next summer. Don’t you think after all that time it should be a little more than a handshake for good-bye?”
    â€œUm, yes.”
    â€œBut with Gord there, what could I say to you? I’m glad we can at least have a milk-shake together before you go.”
    â€œMe too.” I said. I lifted my milkshake as if I were toasting her.
    She kept staring at me.
    â€œWhat?” I said.
    â€œHow can you be so stupid?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m not going to throw myself at you,” she said. “So you’d better figure out what to say next if you want me to stick around to finish my milkshake.”
    I nearly choked.
Did she mean...
    â€œI mean,” she said. “There’s a reason I don’t have a boyfriend. And lots of guys ask me out.”
    Did she mean...
    â€œAnd maybe that reason is you,” she said.
    Wow
. I didn’t know what to say.
    She waited a few moments. Then she frowned at me. And stood up.
    â€œGood-bye then,” she said. “I guess I’ve made a big enough fool out of myself.”
    â€œUm, no,” I blurted. “Let me explain.”
    She sat down. “Okay. You’ve got thirty seconds to give me a reason to stay.”
    â€œI’m too weird for someone like you,” I said.
    â€œYou don’t seem too weird. And I’ve known you a long time.”
    â€œYour face. Each time I see it, I taste blackberries.”
    She raised an eyebrow. Puzzled.
    I took