Page 157 of Capturing You

“One more question. The logo—the seagull in the circle—was really similar to Arthur Whitmore’s. Was that a coincidence?”

“I remember a spat between Arthur and Leo about it. Arthur used the logo first, but after Lois and Arthur married, she talked Arthur into changing his. In retrospect, he should’ve hung on to it, considering the charter business only lasted a couple of years. Arthur’s work will be around a lot longer than that. Like yours, I think.”

“Thank you, Ian. I hope you’re right.”

“Anything else?”

“That’s it for now.”

“Good, good. You’ll tell me everything? I am the mayor, you know. I need to know what’s going on in my own town.”

“I will, in good time. Do me a favor and don’t tell Leo I called?”

Forbes winced, wishing she hadn’t said that. It would be better if Leo didn’t know they were on to him, but was it a good idea to let this man know? Leo’s old friend?

A long silence followed Brooklynn’s question. “I need… He’s my chief of police, Brooklynn. I trust him.”

“I’m not asking you not to trust him. I am asking you to trust me for a few days. That’s all.”

“A few days.” His tone was more serious now, all amusement and solicitousness gone. “And then I expect an update.”

“Fair enough. Thanks, and apologize to your wife for my late call.” Brooklynn ended the call. “It’s Leo,” she said. “No question.”

Forbes hadn’t concluded that at all. “Why?”

“The inheritance. Lenny told me Leo and his father had had a falling out, and Lenny’s grandfather cut his dad out of his will. He put all the money in a trust for his grandchildren.”

“Was the man wealthy?”

“Maybe not Ballentine-fortune wealthy, but I got the impression Leo had been expecting a good chunk of cash. The point is, Leo told Ian that he received an inheritance, but according to Lenny, he got nothing.”

“So the nest egg Ian mentioned, the nice house?—”

“The money had to come from somewhere.”

Forbes’s pulse raced. They were getting so close.

“I’m convinced,” Brooklynn said. “But we can confirm it.”

“How?”

“You said you would recognize his voice, right? Assuming he was there that night?”

Forbes swallowed, her suggestion coming clear. He nodded.

“I’m going to call him.” She lifted her phone. “Lois sent me his number the morning after the storm.”

“Wait.” Forbes’s anxiety spiked, not wanting Brooklynn anywhere near that man. Not wanting her on his radar at all. “What are you going to say?” They discussed it, and though he didn’t like it, he saw the wisdom in her idea.

She put the phone on speaker and dialed.

Two rings in, the man answered. “Chief Taggart.”

His voice… Was it familiar? He didn’t know, not yet.

Leaning against Dad’s desk, Forbes closed his eyes to better focus his hearing. A low hum carried below Taggart’s words. An engine, or perhaps road noise?

“Sorry to bother you so late, Chief,” Brooklynn said. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I witnessed an incident at the Hidden Inlet the other day, and I’ve been in hiding ever since.”