Lantern Beach Mysteries Box Set

by Christy Barritt

  An FBI agent came onto the screen. “There have been at least twelve deaths now associated with the drug. Three were users who overdosed, but the rest were people who died as a direct result of the drug’s effects—mainly because they’d lost every inhibition. One person died because he went skinny-dipping in a frozen Wisconsin lake. Another because in a delirious rage he set himself on fire. Yet another had bitten herself—deeply. Too deeply. This drug isn’t something to be played with.”

  Footage came on of some people after they’d taken the drug. Indeed, they did look like zombies. Their eyes were vacant. Their limbs looked both stiff and limp—like they were not in control of their actions. Drool slipped from their lips, and sores gaped on their skin.

  Cassidy knew about the drug firsthand. While she’d been undercover, she’d experienced it. She shivered when she remembered those terrifying moments.

  “Why would anyone take that stuff?” Ty leaned back with his cup raised, looking casual and conversational and . . . comfortable. Strangely comfortable. Like he’d done this before or like he was supposed to do this when he clearly hadn’t and wasn’t.

  She shrugged. “Some people will do anything for a high, I guess. At least it’s not as much of a problem around here.”

  Ty made a face.

  “What? Is it a problem around here?” She held her breath as she waited for the answer.

  Because Cassidy had come to paradise to hide.

  But this paradise was seeming more like Alcatraz lately, and that realization made her feel more than a little unsettled.

  Chapter 22

  Ty shrugged at Cassidy’s question. “It’s nothing confirmed. I just heard a rumor.”

  “I see.” Cassidy shifted behind him and let out a soft sigh. “So look, I’m sorry that I’ve been slightly . . . unpleasant since we met.”

  “You mean rude?” Why not call it like he saw it? It made it easier than having people guess what he was thinking.

  Cassidy paused. “No, more like unpleasant.”

  “Ouch!” He reached for his neck as a sharp prick hit his skin.

  “Sorry, I accidentally pressed on one of the spurs.”

  He couldn’t tell if her voice was sincere or not. “Accidentally?”

  “I promise. It was.”

  He wasn’t so sure about that, but he wasn’t going to argue. “Apology accepted.”

  “I’m glad. So anyway, I jumped to conclusions when I shouldn’t have,” she continued. “The truth is that my dad is the type who thinks of women as objects, so I get especially offended by men who remind me of him.”

  “That must be difficult for you.” Ty couldn’t imagine growing up in a home like that. He’d grown up with parents who were blue-collar workers. They hadn’t had much, but they’d had each other.

  “I know my dad has cheated on my mom multiple times.”

  Men who cheated weren’t really men. They were dogs. “Does your mom know?”

  “I didn’t tell her. My dad told me if I did I’d be breaking her heart. I was fourteen.” A hint of wistfulness laced her voice.

  “That’s a lot of pressure for a fourteen-year-old.”

  “The truth is, everyone thinks he’s respectable. That he would never do anything like that. And he even proclaims to be an equal-opportunity advocate. But he’s not. He sees females as objects to be conquered.”

  “That’s a shame because women are so much more than that. They bring a lot of beauty into the world, but also intelligence and nurturing and warmth.”

  Cassidy froze, and he had the strange urge to turn around and look into her eyes. Try to decipher what she was thinking.

  She cleared her throat. “Sorry to dump that on you.”

  “Thanks for sharing, Cassidy.”

  Silence stretched between them a minute. But it was a comfortable kind of silence that Ty had always appreciated.

  “We should be neighborly more often,” Ty said. “Everyone needs a nosy neighbor, after all.”

  “I agree.” She moved around beside him, rubbed her hands on her legs, and drew in a deep breath before smiling—however tight it was. “All finished. Sorry about that again. How about if I get you a refill on that coffee?”

  “More coffee sounds good, and don’t worry about that little incident earlier.” The woman had totally and completely surprised him. For a small thing, she had some power.

  She handed him his coffee mug and grasped one of her own as she sat beside him and rubbed her lips together. “So, what exactly do you do, Ty?”

  “You mean, job-wise?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, job-wise.”

  “I’m in the middle of starting a nonprofit.”

  Well, she hadn’t expected that one. “A nonprofit?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Care to share more details?”

  “If I said no?” When she looked shocked, he laughed. She obviously wasn’t used to his humor. “Just kidding. I’d love to share more details. I’m actually trying to start a home for veterans who are returning from the battlefield.”

  She blinked several times. “Really?”

  “Really. I’m a veteran myself, and I know that I came back a different person than I was when I left. And I was a mess for a while. I want to help people through that process and start something that I wish I’d had four years ago.”

  “That’s . . . that’s really admirable.”

  “Was that a compliment?”

  She made a face. “Don’t make me take it back.”

  “I’d never.” His smile faded. “That’s why I came here to Lantern Beach, actually. This was my granddad’s old place, and I have fond memories of how peaceful it was here. It’s the perfect location for what I want to do.”

  Cassidy curled her legs under her. “So you want to use your house for this home?”

  He shook his head. “The location is great. But the house wasn’t built to accommodate what I want to do. So I either need to find a new place or build a bigger house here. Plus I’ll need to raise money to help pay for their stay here. I don’t want to place that burden on them.”

  “Sounds like a big task.”

  “Well, I have a plan.”

  “Do you?”

  “You heard someone put up a reward for evidence about that man’s death here on the island earlier this week.”

  Cassidy’s heart rate increased again. “I did. Now you’re trying to track down a killer?”

  “No, I’m trying to track down evidence.”

  “Do you even have any experience to do that?”

  “I was a Navy SEAL. I’d like to think I can handle it.”

  “You were a SEAL?”

  The woman looked honestly shocked. Was it that much of a stretch for her? “Why do you look surprised?”

  Cassidy shook her head, as if trying to cover up her reaction. “I’m not. I mean, I am. I just didn’t expect it.”

  “Seems like you have a lot of preconceived notions about me.”

  “It seems like I do—did, I mean. I did.”

  He raised his coffee cup. “Well, it’s been a nice talk, but the fish outside are calling to me.”

  “You know what they say.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If a fish is calling, you better go.”

  He grinned. “Thanks, Cassidy.”

  As soon as Ty was gone, Cassidy leaned back and thought about their conversation. Several things had surprised her.

  First of all, Ty had been a SEAL. Another surprise, even though she should have guessed that. He had all the right traits. On the other hand, SEALs were so honorable while Ty was so . . . so . . . not what she expected.

  And his special project was a home for veterans? There went her strip club theory. Yep . . . she’d been wrong again. So much for her instinct on these things.

  Then there was the fact that she’d shared with Ty the truth about her father and his affairs. Had she really said those things out loud? She’d never ever told anyone. Not Ry
an even. Especially not Ryan.

  Just then, her phone rang. Her emergency phone. The one she’d hidden in a secret compartment at the bottom of her cross-body purse.

  She sprinted to retrieve it and checked the number. Samuel.

  Her heart raced a beat with anticipation before she answered.

  “What’s going on?” she rushed, getting right to the point.

  “I wanted to give you an update,” Samuel said. “Rachel is dead.”

  “What?” Certainly Cassidy hadn’t heard him correctly. She could hardly breathe as she waited for his explanation.

  “The police found her body this morning.”

  “DH-7?” She didn’t even need to ask the question. Yet she did need to hear his confirmation. But her legs wouldn’t keep her up. She sank into the couch and turned off the TV.

  “DH-7 hasn’t taken responsibility, but we all know they’re responsible.”

  “Oh, no . . . How could this happen?” Things kept spinning, getting worse and worse.

  “That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

  Another thought hit her. “How’s Ryan?”

  “He’s okay. We’ve put him under twenty-four-hour surveillance.”

  “Maybe he should go into hiding too.” But as soon as she said the words, she realized that could never happen.

  “If everyone associated with this trial went into hiding, then no one would be prosecuted. Speaking of which, the trial has been pushed back.”

  Her breath caught. “How long?”

  “We’re not sure yet. At least a month.”

  She closed her eyes and let that sink in.

  “Are you okay, Cassidy?”

  “I guess. I mean, what else can I do but stay here?”

  “How’s everything going there?” Samuel asked. “Anyone onto you?”

  She remembered the break-in. She didn’t know if it was connected yet, and she didn’t want to bring the incident up until she knew for sure. “I don’t think so. But Samuel, I saw Larry Blackwell here.”

  “What? The man who works for your dad?”

  “That’s right. Do you know anything about it?”

  “Of course not. I would have warned you. Did he see you?”

  “I think so, but he didn’t recognize me.”

  “He can’t know you’re there, Cad—Cassidy.”

  “I know that.”

  “If your location is discovered, you’ll have to leave again.”

  The thought of leaving made something come undone in her. She hadn’t been here that long, yet she’d just started to figure out life on the beach. And part of her was intrigued by it. Intrigued by how different it was from her normal life. Maybe it was even a little bit refreshing.

  “You may never be recognized for what you’re doing, but you should be proud. You’re doing good work,” Samuel said. “I know your dad is proud of you.”

  Because her dad was achievement oriented. Wasn’t that what Cassidy had always wanted? For him to be proud of her?

  Maybe that had been her mistake. Why hadn’t she seen it until now, though?

  She hung up, but her heart felt heavier than ever.

  Chapter 23

  Today’s Goals: Avoid Ty. Find the broken boat. Get a mani-pedi. Track down Lydia. Remind myself not to get too comfortable here.

  Against her better instincts, Cassidy walked toward Ty’s house the next morning. Her electricity was out when she’d woken up, and she needed to know if it was an area-wide problem or if someone had cut her power.

  She hoped it was the former.

  She walked across the lumpy sand, up his stairs, onto his deck, and knocked at his door. Kujo barked.

  Cassidy had to knock only once before the door opened. Ty stood there with bedhead, a white T-shirt, and some well-worn jeans.

  She’d never admit that his look had a strange appeal.

  “Can I help you?” He leaned against the doorframe with one arm, his brown eyes warm and sparkling. Kujo, on his best behavior, came and sat obediently beside her, raising his head upward as Cassidy rubbed his fur.

  What was Cassidy going to say? All her thoughts left her. The power outage, she remembered. Yet the words wouldn’t leave her lips.

  She opened her mouth and tried again. And again, nothing escaped.

  “Cassidy?” Ty asked, raising his eyebrows and looking perplexed.

  “I, uh . . . I just wanted to. . .”

  “To . . .?”

  Her purpose came back into focus. “Ask about your power. Is it out?”

  “It’s going to be down for an hour or so this morning. I got a notice on my cell about it.”

  “Good to know. What happened?”

  “One of the transformers blew or something. Nothing to worry about.”

  Before Cassidy could say anything else, someone called hello from behind her. She looked over her shoulder and quickly twirled back around. Her heart raced.

  It was Larry Blackwell. Had he realized that Cassidy was in town? Was he coming to confront her?

  She had to think quickly.

  “Ty?” she whispered, dread filling her.

  “Yes?” He studied her, confusion written in his eyes.

  “Please just play along. Please.”

  His eyes twinkled still, mixed now with curiosity. She quickly pulled her sunglasses down over her eyes and jerked off the elastic band holding her hair back. Her hair tumbled into her face.

  Trying to appear casual, she slipped behind Ty and rested her head on his arm. His very defined arm. She made sure her hair still masked her features.

  But her heart raced—because of Larry, not because of her closeness to Ty. They may have made some strides in their relationships, but they hadn’t come that far.

  “You are one crazy woman, Cassidy Livingston,” Ty muttered, his muscles stiff. At least he didn’t push her away or look repulsed.

  Her heart raced faster. It wasn’t too late for him to blow her cover. Not yet. Cassidy wouldn’t blame him if he did. Ty owed her nothing. She hadn’t exactly been Ms. Congeniality since she’d arrived.

  “Can I help you?” Ty called, his voice remarkably friendlier toward Larry. Kujo remained beside them, at attention.

  Larry stopped at the base of the stairs. “Good morning. I’m staying down the road, and my dog ran away this a.m. I was hoping you might have seen her.”

  “What kind of dog?” Ty asked.

  “A little white Maltese. Responds to Bitsy.”

  “Hmm . . . I can’t say I’ve seen her. Then again, we just got up.”

  Cassidy’s cheeks heated.

  “Well, if you do, my family is staying over on Sun Crest. My kids are worried sick.”

  “I bet they are,” Ty said. “I can understand that.”

  Ty pulled back and wrapped his arm around Cassidy. “How about you, honey? Did you see Bitsy this morning? You were up before me.”

  All Cassidy’s apologies disappeared and irritation—livid irritation—replaced it. She rested her hand on Ty’s chest—his very solid chest—trying to play the role. She ignored the whiff of leathery cologne and pretended his defined bicep didn’t impress her.

  “No, I don’t think I did,” she murmured, keeping her voice low.

  She could feel Larry staring at her and used every ounce of her self-control to remain placid.

  “Do I know you?” he finally asked. “There’s something about you that seems so familiar . . .”

  Cassidy shook her head, keeping her hair in her face. “No, I don’t think so. Unless you’ve seen me selling ice cream around town.”

  “Oh, that’s probably it.” He took a step back and frowned. “Okay, well, I’m sorry to disturb you. I should keep searching.”

  “Do you need help looking?” Ty suddenly called.

  Cassidy’s livid irritation turned into the need to throttle Ty. He had no idea what was going on here. Of course he didn’t. He couldn’t know. He probably thought this was funny.

  Why had she eve
r wanted to apologize to him?

  “I won’t turn down any help,” Larry said.

  Ty grabbed Cassidy’s hand. “We’ll head down the opposite side of the beach and search then.”

  “I’d appreciate it,” Larry said. “I keep remarking to my wife how friendly the locals here are. You all continue to amaze me.”

  Cassidy wanted to put on brakes, but it would create too much of a scene. So, as Ty pulled her forward, she had no choice but follow. She kept her head down and her aviator glasses up.

  What a disaster.

  And it was Ty’s fault.

  Again.

  At the first opportunity, Cassidy needed to break away from Larry—and Ty. Mostly Ty. No, make that both of them. Neither were producing pleasant emotions.

  And Ty insisted on holding her hand. If she brought it up later, he would probably say it was Cassidy’s idea and that he was following her lead. But still. He had no idea what was at stake here.

  Then there was the fact that his hand felt good. Strong. Like it belonged in hers.

  Ryan didn’t like holding hands. Or cuddling. He preferred deep conversations and nice dinners. Which was good. Because all those warm, fuzzy feelings would wear off and what would be left? Good conversations. There was a lot to be said for that.

  Still, something seemed to awaken in Cassidy, something she’d shoved to the back of her mind. A desire that had been dormant.

  The desire for a fairy-tale kind of romance that swept her off her feet. But not just a fairy tale. One that was based on friendship. The best of both worlds. Was that possible? She and Lucy used to talk about finding that kind of love. But time—and experience—had taken off her blinders.

  “We’ll head this way to keep searching, if you’d like to go the other way,” Ty finally said.

  “That sounds great,” Larry said. “You remember where I live?”

  “Sun Crest,” Ty said.

  As soon as Larry walked away, Cassidy jerked her hand from Ty’s and pulled down her sunglasses so he could fully experience her scowl. “Really?”

  Ty shrugged, looking a little too amused. “You asked me to play long. That’s what I was doing . . . sweetheart.”