The deputy slouched back into the chair and nodded. “You know, it’s a funny thing about her. I get the impression she doesn’t give a hoot about money, but she takes her job very seriously. I’ve never seen anyone so dedicated.”
“Meaning?”
“Seaside Cove has built it’s reputation based on anybody being able to come here and find some sort of buried treasure. It doesn’t happen often, but just often enough for people to vacation here in hopes they’ll strike it rich. The San Manuel is different, though. Miss O’Connor is claiming the Abandoned Shipwreck Act is going to apply to it and the wreck should be protected and studied. She may have the law on her side; she may not. We won’t really know until someone determines its exact location.”
“You two must have had quite the conversation this morning.”
“Oh, this didn’t happen today. She came to see me the day she arrived in town, mostly because she wanted me to be aware there could be a showdown between her and Reese Potok.”
“I don’t understand, Adam. You said you needed to talk about her. What’s up?”
Adam didn’t respond, but focused his full attention on the ceiling. In fact, he was gawking at it with his jaw hanging slack. What could have captivated him so easily?
Rick followed the deputy’s gaze. He saw nothing curious up there. Nothing unusual. “Is something wrong, Adam?”
“Oh.” The deputy looked at Rick and shook his head. “Sorry. I’ve heard about this room, but I never thought I’d actually have a reason to be inside. There are all kinds of rumors about what it looks like. It’s pretty overwhelming. That’s a coffered ceiling, right?”
“I’m impressed. You know your architecture. All the wood is the original Brazilian mahogany. It’s a hundred years old and it still looks like new. Captain Jack enjoyed the trappings of wealth, even though he was scraping by those last few years.”
“The recessed panels and the dropped beams? Those are mahogany, too? It must have cost a fortune. That’s what they say, anyway.”
“Ah, ‘they.’” Rick smiled. “The Seaside Cove rumor mill has had a hundred years to build up this room. Anyway, now you know where I work. What I don’t get is how my ceiling has anything to do with Miss O’Connor.”
“It doesn’t. I’m stalling.” He sat up straight in the chair. “I hate to do this to her because she’s such a nice lady. But she’s a person of interest in this case.”
“Case? The woman on the beach? It’s a homicide investigation?”
“Looking that way.” The deputy sighed and shook his head. “Again.”
Rick let out a slow breath. “I hear you. Again is not a good thing. And you’ve been tasked with handling it.”
The deputy nodded. “Del’s flu symptoms are still going on. They think it’s something a lot worse than the flu. The chief, well, he says he’s grooming me. I’m pretty sure that’s a way for him to enjoy his last days as the man in charge.”
“He’s retiring?”
“Yup. He’s says he’s got two months to go and he doesn’t want to be in the middle of a trial when he’s got fishing to do.”
Rick wanted to laugh out loud at how accurately Alex had portrayed the town’s chief of police, but bit back the urge.
“I saw that.”
“What?”
“You getting a kick out of the rumors about the chief.”
“No,” Rick said, then smiled. “Okay. You got me.”
“Ten bucks says your daughter told you the chief has short-timers.”
“I’ll keep my money, thank you very much. I guess that’s the word in the junior category of the Seaside Cove rumor mill.”
The deputy raised his hands and said, “No comment. All I’m doing is trying to keep my job. Del’s next in line, assuming he gets over whatever he’s got going on. So have you seen Miss O’Connor? I’ve got some questions for her.”
“She didn’t show up for breakfast. I don’t know where she is.”
“Has she been acting strangely?”
“Adam, she’s a guest in my B&B. I have no idea what’s strange for her. What’s this really about?”
“I, um, need a favor.”
“Sure. I’d be glad to help.”
The deputy watched the floor, avoiding Rick’s gaze. “I hate to ask this. I really, really do. It’s a huge favor.”
“Just tell me what you need, Adam. You know I’ll do anything I can to help.”
“You. I need you to help me find the killer—if there is one. It’s possible this woman’s death was accidental, but—look, everybody gave me all sorts of credit for the last one. We both know who connected the dots. It wasn’t me. It was you. I was simply the guy who made the arrest. The mayor is telling the chief to get this wrapped up. The chief—well, you know how everything rolls downhill.”
“So everybody wants this thing gone, and you’re where the buck stops.”
“Come on, Rick. You know how concerned Madam Mayor is with bringing in tourists. Another murder is bad for the town’s image.”
Rick let out a slow breath. “I guess ‘anything’ was the wrong word. This isn’t a big favor, it’s huge. Adam, my first concern is Alex and, to be honest, I’m still worried about her. You know how she is.”
“Fearless?”
“Yeah, fearless. If I become involved, Alex will be sticking her nose into things. I cannot and will not let her go there. I have to protect my daughter.”
“I thought you might say that,” Deputy Cunningham nodded. “We’ll find a way to keep Nancy Drew at a distance.”
“No matter what I tell her to do, she’ll figure out a way around it. I can’t have her spying on our guests like she did the last time. On a more practical note, we’re booked solid and I can’t take time off to investigate a murder. Things are returning to a nice rhythm with Marquetta, and I won’t jeopardize that, either.”
“My only advice is to not ask questions about her past, Rick. Marquetta’s very protective of her privacy.”
“I know. I found out the hard way, and I will not jeopardize her trust again. Staying out of this has more to do with the people around me than anything else. Sorry, but becoming involved in this investigation is out of the question.”
“I know you don’t want to be involved, but two of your guests already are.”
“Two?” Rick stared at the deputy. He couldn’t believe this. Now there were two? “I thought you only wanted to talk to Miss O’Connor.”
“One of the others came forward.”
“Which one?”
“Reese Potok.”
“Oh, good grief. Her again?” Rick ground his teeth in anger while he reminded himself the deputy was only the messenger. Reese was the real problem. Since the day she’d become a long-term resident at the B&B her money had helped the bottom line, but created a continual source of aggravation. When he thought he could control the edge in his voice, he asked, “What’s she claiming?”
“She said she witnessed an argument between the victim and Miss O’Connor the night before we found the body.”
“Mind if I ask what kind of argument we’re talking about?”
“A very public one.”
Deputy Cunningham gazed at Rick with a somber expression. So Seaside Cove had another murder. And Reese Potok had inserted herself as a witness. An uncomfortable stillness occupied the room as snippets from Rick’s brief past with Reese filled his thoughts. How quickly he’d gone from attraction at their initial meeting to flirtation to realization when he’d discovered she harbored multiple secrets and lies. He had no desire to relive even one of those moments. “That woman is more trouble than ten others,” he grumbled.
“She’s your guest.”
“More like a thorn in my side.”
“I thought you liked her. Word around town is you two were getting cozy.”
“The operative term there is ‘were.’ I’ve since discovered what the real Reese Potok is like.”
“There’s that rumor, too.”
/> “Let me guess. Half the town thinks we’re involved and the other half believes I’ve finally wised up.” Rick pressed his fingertips to his forehead and massaged his temples, then had a sudden revelation. “Wait. Maybe that’s why Michelle was here.”
“Michelle? When?”
“This morning. She brought cookies.”
Deputy Cunningham laughed long and hard before letting his gaze settle back on Rick’s. “Flora is a determined woman. And she does want Michelle to settle down. You could do worse. Michelle’s a pretty girl. Kind of young for you, but it happens.”
“That’s the second time today I’ve heard how determined Flora is.” Rick felt heat rising in his cheeks. The more he talked, the more he wanted to set the record straight. “Flora needs to find out how determined I can be. So, let me be clear. I am not interested in Michelle Steele. I am not dating her. I am not marrying her. Now, can we get back to your reason for being here?”
“Calm down. There’s no reason to get angry, Rick. You’re the one who mentioned Michelle.”
Rick waved off Adam’s comment. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He leaned back in his chair. He needed clarity. A moment of inspiration. Finding neither, he eyed the three photos beneath the antique light fixtures on the wall to his left.
The deputy stood and went to where Rick was looking. He peered at one of the photos. “I don’t recognize this.”
“They’re all from the town’s past. The one you’re looking at is from opening day at the B&B. That was in 1931. The second one is Captain Jack’s high school graduation in 1960.”
“And this one?” Adam pointed to the third photo.
Rick shook his head. “I don’t know. There are a few faces I recognize. Joe Gray, for one. He was a lot younger then. All I can figure is it was some sort of big town event.”
“It looks vaguely familiar. Lots of rain…dreary day.” The deputy shrugged and turned to face Rick. “So, let’s say we get back to Flynn O’Connor.”
Inwardly, Rick groaned at the thought of another investigation. “Sure. It’s why you came here.”
“Let’s go to her room. If she’s there, I can ask my questions. I’d like you to be around as a witness. You know, just in case.”
“In case what? You have to arrest her?”
Deputy Cunningham shrugged. “It’s insurance. All I want to do is make sure everything stays calm. That’s all.”
“Okay, Adam, I’ll do what you’re asking. But I have no intention of getting sucked into this. Or of letting my daughter become involved.”
CHAPTER 6
ALEX
July 20
Hey Journal,
Marquetta says it’s good to write down my innermost thoughts and I feel kinda bad cause I know I’m not supposed to be spying on anyone, but it just sorta happened. This is my confession and we’re gonna keep it between you and me. Okay?
I heard Daddy and Marquetta talking a few minutes ago. My dad didn’t sound happy at all, so I went into the hall to listen. I got in big trouble for spying on the guests once before, but this is totally different. Daddy and Marquetta were, like, right in the middle of the front room. That’s not spying is it? I suppose I was kinda spying when Deputy Cunningham showed up and said he wanted to talk to my dad in his office. I sorta left my door open a little so I could hear what they were saying, but then Daddy closed his door.
Maybe Deputy Cunningham’s here to ask my dad for help! If Daddy does help the cops, I can be his sidekick again. Actually, I think he gets a lot of his best ideas from me, but I’m not going to tell him that cause I don’t want him to feel bad.
Can I tell you the truth, Journal? Last night I fell asleep. I was gonna tell you how when I grow up I wanna be like Miss O’Connor. She told me how she worked on bringing up an old ship called the San Jose. It was awesome. She said she was working with the President of Columbia—the President! She said British pirates sunk the ship three hundred years ago, and she was going to help restore history. That’s so awesome!
Then some company from Florida came along with their fancy lawyers. They told everybody they owned the treasure. She lost her job and the whole recovery got messed up cause of this big lawsuit. I looked up the place where it all happened. It’s called Cartagena and it’s like 2,000 miles away in South America. I totally want to travel to places like that when I grow up.
I’m gonna go all over the world and find old artifacts and give them to museums so everybody can see them. That’s so much cooler than what Miss Potok is doing. She’s just trying to make money and give all the awesome stuff to the old guy who’s paying her.
I also gotta tell you about Operation Dumbwaiter. Me and Robbie scheduled it for Friday. That’s only two days! I got Daddy to say Robbie could spend the day over here, so we’re gonna have breakfast and sneak out of the kitchen while Daddy and Marquetta are cleaning up. The plan is totally gonna work cause they’ll be busy in the kitchen and the guests will be gone for the day. Tomorrow, me and Robbie are gonna test to see if a phone works inside the dumbwaiter. I don’t want Robbie to panic when the door closes, but he’ll be cool if I can talk him through the ride.
Hey, Journal, Daddy and Deputy Cunningham have been talking for a long time, but I just heard my dad’s door open and close. Gotta go!
Alex
Daddy and Deputy Cunningham look real serious when they walk by my door. When their footsteps start to fade, I figure they’ve turned the corner. That’s when I go out to the hallway.
I stand out there, still trying to figure out my plan. No way do I wanna get in trouble again, so I stay on my tiptoes like they teach you in dance class. I haven’t taken a dance class, but I think it would be fun. Daddy and Deputy Cunningham don’t go downstairs like I expect. When I peek around the corner, they’re standing in front of Miss O’Connor’s room. Daddy knocks a couple times. She doesn’t answer.
Lucky for me Deputy Cunningham has his back to me and is standing between me and my dad. Daddy says something to Deputy Cunningham about a warrant, and he shakes his head. My dad shrugs. Is this the kind of thing my dad calls a Mexican standoff?
I duck behind the corner. Should I go back to my room? Wait? I kinda bounce up and down on my tiptoes so I can pretend to be walking if they come around the corner.
Deputy Cunningham doesn’t sound happy at all. “I need to talk to her, Rick.”
“Come back with a warrant, Adam. Do that and I can open the door. Look, you already know my position. I’ll keep an eye out for her, but I’m not her keeper. Alex and I will be tied up in the Jib Room for a little bit. We’re going to strip wallpaper so we can paint.”
Ick. That doesn’t sound like fun at all. Daddy gets all grumpy when he has to fix things around the B&B. Marquetta’s a lot more fun in the kitchen than Daddy is when he’s got a tool in his hand.
Hey, Journal,
I’m back. I totally wasn’t supposed to spy on Daddy and Deputy Cunningham, but they went to the bottom of the stairs and kept talking. I listened for a while. Then I heard a noise like one of the guests might be coming, so I bailed.
I guess Daddy’s not gonna help the cops after all. That’s messed up. He thinks he can’t do it cause of me. I gotta show him he’s wrong. It’s totally okay. Especially cause Deputy Cunningham made it sound like he was going to arrest Miss O’Connor. The whole thing sucks because she isn’t the kind of person who would murder someone. I can’t believe he thinks she’s a killer. Seriously? No way. Her job is to preserve artifacts and history.
When I asked her what an artifact looked like, she even showed me some photos on her phone. They were awesome. How could someone that nice be a killer? This is all bogus.
Lunch is almost ready, so I gotta go. I’ll write again tonight.
xoxo
Alex
CHAPTER 7
RICK
By noon, it felt like the B&B was awash in people problems. The newlyweds had surfaced around ten looking exhausted and giddy. The moment they heard the dining roo
m was closed for the day, their moods soured. Mike Washington wanted to drive to San Ladron. His new bride, Stephanie, reminded him the larger town was an hour away. She wanted to stay local; he thought the choices were too limited. They continued their debate all the way out the front door.
Right after the Washingtons left, the apathetically married couple had engaged in—and lost—an extensive “discussion” with Marcus. Their son seemed to think trying to scare people was acceptable. They disagreed. From the sounds of the talk, Marcus wasn’t going to change.
Then, there was Flynn O’Connor. Actually, there wasn’t Flynn O’Connor. She was still nowhere to be found. The good news was all the guests were now gone for a few hours, and Rick saw an opportunity to do something productive.
He went to the Jib Room, opened the door, and looked around. Paisley wallpaper stared at him from all directions. It looked like a holdout from the mid-nineteenth century—and not just because of the dated design. The colors had faded, the paper edges were curling, and wall dings in the main traffic areas needed repair.
The remodel on this room was long overdue, and Rick hated the idea of tackling the work himself. The problem was the job had been delayed by circumstance one too many times. After talking it over with Marquetta, they’d decided to turn drab into delightful by removing the outdated paper and decorations and giving the room an inexpensive makeover. Marquetta had suggested a fresh coat of paint in a pale blue with white trim and navy accents. She’d also recommended new nautically-themed brass accents from Howie’s Collectibles to make the room consistent with the theme in the other guest rooms.
A wallpaper steamer borrowed from his handyman lay on the floor. Apparently, Devon had his hands full with a major home renovation for an elderly couple, but had been quite willing to loan out his steamer. The other issue was cost and Rick decided saving money was better than waiting for Devon to finish his other job.
The first step was to move the bed to the center of the room and cover it with an old sheet. With that out of the way, Rick pushed the dresser, chair, and nightstands up against the bed. The desk was the only piece of furniture left to deal with. He stood over it, wondering how out of shape he really was. There was no one else around, so why not find out? He dragged the desk to where it butted up against one edge of the bed, reached down, lifted, and flipped it upside down on top of the bed.
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