“I guess. But you know, it hasn’t been as bad as you would think. Honestly, the CIA weighed heavier on me than living here, even though I knew everything about the agency and nothing about this place and the people. And even though it seems like nothing fits quite right at times, it also feels like where I’m supposed to be. Does that make sense?”
He nodded. “Does to me. You’re good people, Fortune. And you finally found your place among other good people. People who rely on you and people you can rely on. People who care about more than if you’re good at your job. I don’t doubt for a minute that you were a darned fine agent, but I’d hazard a guess that you’re even better at what you’re doing now. I know for certain you’re more important to those around you. Important in the ways that count most.”
I felt my chest tighten. Walter was right—I had been a darned fine agent, stellar if I was being honest. And I knew that my service was important to the agency and the country. Director Morrow and my partner Harrison cared about me beyond just the job, but it wasn’t the same as what I had now. Not even close. This was home. It seemed as if my entire life had been structured to send me here.
“I see Carter pulling in,” Walter said. “You need any ammo?”
“Not this time,” I said. “I can probably talk my way out of it.”
He laughed again. “I just bet you can.”
I headed to the sheriff’s department and walked inside. The newish daytime dispatcher was manning the front desk and gave me an apprehensive look when I walked in. He’d been on the receiving end of a ploy or two from Ida Belle, Gertie, and me and now automatically assumed something was suspect when one of us walked in the door. Since he wasn’t exactly wrong, I figured I couldn’t fault him for his feelings.
“Carter asked me to meet him here,” I said. “Can you let him know I’m here?”
His shoulders slumped in relief at such a normal request and he called Carter. “He said to go on back to his office.”
“Thanks.”
Carter’s office door was open and as I stepped in the doorway he looked up and motioned me inside.
“Close the door,” he said.
“You going to arrest me?” I asked as I complied. “Because if so, I’m going to regret turning down Walter’s offer of ammo.”
“I just don’t want anyone else to overhear and then wonder why I didn’t arrest you. I’ll deal with my traitorous uncle later.”
“Fair enough. Did the naked guy want to press charges?”
“I’m sure he would if he knew who interrupted his…whatever the heck that was. But when I pointed out that everything—everything—had to go on record, he changed his mind.”
“I’m sort of surprised given how outraged he was.”
“Yeah, well, his date showed up shortly after I got him out of the comforter and back into clothes. Real clothes.”
I laughed. “Nothing like a hooker to put a damper on filing a police report.”
“I gathered from our naked friend that this isn’t the first time you’ve interrupted his cape-wearing adventures.”
“I don’t know anything about his adventures or the cape,” I said, putting on my best blank expression.
“Hmm. So what is it you want to tell me?”
“I have information on Dexter and his girlfriend and on Silas, Molly’s father. My problem is it’s all damning but I don’t have a way to make it cohesive. I have theories but not proof. I was hoping since you were privy to things I’m not that you could take what I had and maybe have a case.”
“Against who?”
I sighed. “All three of them?”
“I think maybe you’d better tell me what you have.”
I worked through the basics of the information, not telling him the who or the how, ending with identification of both vehicles by the two boys in the fort. As I talked, Carter listened intently and sometimes jotted things down on a pad of paper. When I was done, he blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair.
“That is a lot to process,” he said.
“I know. Can you put anything together?”
He rubbed his jaw and stared out the window. “I’m not sure. I’m going to go ahead and tell you it was Molly’s blood on the side of the boat.”
Even though I’d already known the score, I felt my heart sink a bit.
“That sucks,” I said.
“It does, and what makes matters worse, given the indicated parties, is that I’ve been unable to locate a will. As things currently stand, Ally will probably be able to make a case for the catering business since there’s a legal document and I doubt she’s going to get any opposition, as those opposed don’t have the money to take things to court. But the way things stand right now, the rest of Molly’s property will go to her father. And it sure doesn’t sound like that’s what Molly would have wanted.”
“No. But if she never got around to making a will, what can you do about it?”
“Nothing.” He frowned, then sat up straight. “Or maybe that’s not entirely true. With the hole in the side of the boat just below where the blood was found, I have enough to call it a suspicious death, especially with Marissa being a longbow champion. I just can’t prove homicide without a body or a confession. But as long as her disappearance is under investigation, her estate can’t be settled, especially if the heir is also a suspect.”
“So her father wouldn’t be able to get his hands on her property?”
“Not right away.”
“How long could you leave things that way?”
“I don’t know. He could take it to court and make a case for an earlier declaration, just like he did with her brother. But I’m not sure if he’d get it. With all the questionable circumstances, I can’t see a judge being willing to stick his neck out. Not this time. If he kept pushing, I suppose he might be able to move the needle if a year passes and I haven’t made any progress, but that’s just a guess.”
“I was hoping for longer.”
“How much longer?”
“Until he died?”
“Ha! Maybe he’ll do you a favor and go early.”
“You haven’t met the man. He’s mean as a snake. People like that always live forever.”
Carter frowned. “I didn’t meet him. I talked to him on the phone. But it looks like I need to make meeting him a priority.”
“What do you think about this insurance policy he claims to be on?” I asked.
“Honestly? I have no idea what to make of that.”
“Yeah. Me either. That one came clean out of left field. So what are you going to do about Dexter? Did he see you at the motel?”
“I’m sure he did but he never poked his head out of his room, so he has no idea that I know he’s there.”
“I wonder if he’s figured out it was me.”
“You said he saw you running away, right?”
“Yeah, but I was wearing a Hello Kitty mask that I, uh…found?”
Carter gave me a pained look. “He might figure he just got caught up in the middle of some mess in the room next to him. Wrong place at the wrong time. He definitely didn’t go back to check on the naked guy, who managed to roll off the bed and was kicking the wall like a mule when I arrived.”