Just Deserts (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 4) by Jinx Schwartz

Author:Jinx Schwartz [Schwartz, Jinx]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2013-11-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Jan, after two days of mostly sleeping and watching TV in bed, was still pale but up to a cocktail or two on the verandah. Craig and I had waited until now to grill her like a red snapper for the down and dirty details of this latest fiasco, and why she was here in Bisbee, instead of with her amour, Doctor Brigido “Chino” Yee, at his campsite in the Baja.

While tossing dog biscuits to Blue, she got down to the good stuff. “I don’t care if I ever see another whale, or Chino either, for that matter.”

“But why, Jan? What did he do to you?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, well, that explains it. No wonder you slunk off in the dead of night. The bastard!”

Craig laughed and Jan looked sheepish. “Put that way,” she said, “it does sound a little ridiculous. Call me self-centered, needy, whatever, but I would like, just once, to take precedence over a barnacle-encrusted behemoth.”

“Hey,” Craig protested, “I was a behemoth. What we lack in beauty, we make up for in cuddly.”

“You men always stick together.”

“Jan,” he reasoned, “you knew Chino was a dedicated marine biologist when you met him. What did you expect him to do during peak whale calving season? Take you to the Four Seasons for dinner? Shower you with roses?”

“Ha! There isn’t a flower within fifty miles of that friggin’ shack we live in. And no, I don’t expect the princess treatment, but a little attention on occasion would be nice. He needs an assistant, not a girlfriend. I’m tired of counting whales, talking whales, freakin’ dreaming whales. I am whaled out.”

“So,” I asked, “I can rule out fish for dinner?”

“Whales ain’t fish, but close enough. I may never eat fish again, ever. I’ve lived on fish tacos and refried beans for months now. If it wasn’t for limes, I’d probably have scurvy to complement my runs.”

Craig looked thoughtful, then told Jan, “I think you need a thorough physical. A real good going over.”

“I ain’t got no insurance, remember?”

“I’ve been thinking about that. I need a marine biologist on my staff.”

“You want to hire Chino?”

“No, you.”

“Oh, come on, you know damned well I’m no marine biologist.”

“It’s on your resume, you know,” I chimed in, earning me a squinty frown.

“Oh, yeah, from another time I let you drag me into something smelly. You needed a marine biologist for a project, and presto chango, I was one.”

“So versatile,” Craig teased. “Never mind about that, I think your time on the Baja is qualification enough. First, though, you’ll need a full checkup, as required by my insurance company. Actually, I’ve already called the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. I know someone there. They can take you.”

We both stared at him. This was an incredibly generous offer, and one she couldn’t turn down, but Jan looked stunned, and a little frightened. “You think I might have something really bad wrong with me?”

“No, sweetie, I’d just feel better if we ran you through the clinic. What do you say?”

“Well, heck, why not? I still feel puny, anyhow.

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