by Lena Gregory
He nodded toward Stephanie. “Looks like Stephanie was right about Calvin Morris. His books didn’t add up.”
Stephanie had already told them, as soon as she’d woken up in the hospital, that she’d confronted Morris about his numbers right before he’d knocked her out. She didn’t remember much after that.
Tank squeezed Stephanie’s shoulders tighter. “Apparently, he and Jay were working together, Jay stealing the artwork, Calvin selling it. Calvin was trying to hide the money from the illegal art sales.”
Ellie waved from the beach. With Jay behind bars on the mainland, and the promise he wouldn’t be getting out anytime soon, she’d begun to regain some of her confidence. She’d even highlighted her hair again, though it would surely take some time before she could get over the emotional toll Jay’s presence had taken on her. The fact he’d been watching her without her knowing it had nearly broken her. She’d apologized to Cass a million times for not telling her everything, but Cass couldn’t blame her. She’d been terrified of him. That Ellie had come to Cass and given her any warning at all showed a tremendous amount of courage. Cass had given her the name of a therapist she hoped would be able to help.
Cass waved back. “I still can’t believe Jay had the nerve to come back here, knowing there was a warrant out for his arrest.”
Luke shrugged. “He didn’t know anywhere else as well as he did Bay Island. He knew exactly where to find what he wanted and could sell. I’m sure he figured he could stay under the radar, and who knows? He probably would have if not for his need to seek revenge. And if he hadn’t been so afraid of you. If he’d have been content to rob the mansions before they closed up for the season, he’d probably have been sitting on a beach somewhere with Olivia come winter.”
“Did he say why he killed her?” Her death still weighed heavily.
“When she told him what she’d said to you, about his master plan, he lost his temper. He was afraid you’d figure out what was going on because of it.”
“I’d never have thought he’d fall for a woman like that.” Confident, independent. Jay’s tastes ran more toward women like Ellie, easily controlled, meek, subservient.
“I don’t think he did. He didn’t seem too upset over her death, seemed more upset she’d interfered with his plan to destroy you. And given his history of abuse, it’s not surprising he killed her in anger. He’d worked hard to put all the players in place, rile Dirk up to heckle you, have Olivia win Aiden over.”
Bee shivered. “I never figured Jay was smart enough to engineer something like that.”
“Ironically, we don’t think he did. Seems Olivia was the calculating one, the brains behind the scheme.”
That didn’t surprise Cass. Jay using Olivia made more sense than him loving her. She was pretty sure Jay Callahan held no capacity for love.
“On another note, Chief Rawlins has officially given permission to consult you on cases.” Luke folded his arms across his chest, crossed one leg over the other, and shook his head.
She wasn’t quite sure what to make of that. He didn’t seem particularly disturbed by the idea, nor did he seem happy.
Tank massaged the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, probably concerned about what kind of trouble Stephanie would get into with her next. Cass couldn’t blame him.
“Just wait until that one hits the gossip mill,” Bee said. “You’ll be swamped with customers.”
Luke gave him a hard stare. “Why don’t we just keep that one under wraps for now, Bee?”
As much as she wanted the increased business, she could definitely understand Luke’s concern.
Bee sulked. Nothing irked him more than having good dirt he couldn’t share.
“By the way, Bee,” Luke added, “I did check into Bruce Brinkman, as you suggested.”
He perked back up. “You did?”
“Yeah, and you were right, he did come in on the ferry the night before Dirk was killed. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to see his father. A group of his old friends were getting together for the week, and he agreed to come.”
“So, he never saw Dirk before he was killed?”
Luke shook his head.
Bee rubbed his chest as if it ached. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Hey,” Sara yelled as she and Emmett waved from the beach. “You guys playing?”
“Yup, and guess who’s going to be treating us to barbeque after?” Bee yelled back.
Because his garage was closer to Main Street, Emmett played on the opposing team. “Don’t be too sure about that, buddy.”
“Oh, I’m quite confident we’ll win. We have a secret weapon this year.” Bee nudged Cass’s arm with his elbow. “Show him, Cass.”
She held up the two stones she’d found in the register, the only occurrence throughout the entire ordeal still unexplained. No one had taken credit yet for leaving the stones in her register drawer. Who knew? Maybe she’d never know how they’d gotten there. Either way, Cass was glad they had. Without the fire agate, she might never have gained enough focus to find Stephanie. Maybe Tanya had helped more than anyone realized.
Emmett started up the deck steps, then stopped and leaned against the rail. He looked around at the assembled group, then took off his hat and smoothed his hair back. “I just wanted to say thank you to all of you.”
Tank clapped him on the back. “No need to thank us, Emmett. You were innocent; everyone knew that.”
“Well, I still appreciate everything you guys did, so I just wanted you to know.” Emmett nodded and put his hat back on. “It’s been nice to be able to go back home and open the garage without reporters camping out on my doorstep. I was getting tired of having to sneak in the back door of the hotel to avoid them. Grateful, mind you, that Henry let me stay and didn’t even charge me, but I wanted to go home, ya know?”
“Yeah, I do.” Cass stood and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Not one for public displays of affection, he gave her a quick hug. “Could I speak to you alone for a second?”
“Of course.” Cass led him around the side of the building. “What’s up, Emmett? Is something wrong?”
“No, I just . . .” He smoothed a hand over his goatee, then rested his hands on the railing and looked out over the bay. “Did you really see her? My Tanya?”
“I did, Emmett.”
He turned his gaze on her, his chin quivering. “And she was okay.”
“Yes, she was, and she is clearly still watching over you and Joey.”
A sense of pride surged through Cass, and she had no doubt it was not her own. She lay a hand on Emmett’s arm. “She’s proud of you, Emmett. Of how you’ve raised Joey. She’s happy.”
Emmett lowered his gaze and nodded. Tears tipped over and slid down his cheeks, and he spoke in a harsh whisper. “Thank you for that, Cass.”
Joey jogged up beside him. “You ready, Dad?”
Emmett swiped the tears away quickly and turned to his son. “Sure thing, Joey.”
Cass squeezed his arm on her way past and returned to their friends, who were getting ready to head down to the beach. This promised to be one of the best tournaments ever.
Beast danced in circles in their midst, wound up by all the excitement.
“You’re playing, Joey?” Bee asked.
“I’m gonna give it my best shot.” A younger, lankier version of Emmett showed in Joey’s appearance, posture, and mannerisms.
“Good for you.” Bee gave him a high five and grinned. “But, no matter how much I like you, don’t expect me to go easy.”
“Come on, Beast.” Cass clipped the leash to Beast’s collar as they all started down the steps to the beach.
Beast trotted on one side of her, while Luke fell into step on her other side.
“Looks like they’re getting ready to start.” Bee rubbed his hands together. “Who’s ready to whoop some bootie?”
“You wish!” Emmett nudged his shoulder.
Laughter filled the air.
Luke slung an arm around Cass’s shoulders.
She leaned into him. “Now, this is what summer on Bay Island is supposed to be.”
Books by Lena Gregory
Bay Island Psychic Mysteries
Death at First Sight
Occult and Battery
Clairvoyant and Present Danger
Spirited Away
All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries
Scone Cold Killer
Murder Made to Order
A Cold Brew Killing
About the Author
Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series, which takes place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery series, which is set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.
Lena Grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she still lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and five dogs, and works full-time as a writer and freelance editor.
To learn more about Lena and her latest writing endeavors, visit her website at www.lenagregory.com/, and be sure to sign up for her newsletter at lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.