Page 51 of Killer Honeymoon
“I love you,” Sawyer said.
“I love you more.” Royce kissed Sawyer again before they broke apart to continue walking. “I think Frank’s alibi takes precedence. Moore’s death is not our investigation to solve. Let’s get Frank out of jail, then enjoy what’s left of our honeymoon.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea,” Sawyer said, even though they both knew he’d struggle with simply walking away without a resolution.
When they arrived at the general store, Loretta held court at the register with a few customers. He figured by the hushed whispers they were talking about Lester Moore’s murder, so Royce and Sawyer strolled down the candy aisle while they waited to catch Loretta by herself. Once they got to the counter, Sawyer searched for the right way to broach the subject but found each idea too awkward. Just when he settled on the right tactic, the front door swung open, and Estelle rushed in.
“Did you hear Lester Moore was shot?” she asked, sounding breathless.
Loretta snorted. “Of course.”
Estelle leaned on the counter and placed a hand on her chest. “Did you hear who they arrested?”
“No,” Loretta said. “I knew they had a person of interest in custody but not who it is.” Sawyer was impressed the department had managed to keep a lid on Frank’s identity, especially with the speculation running rampant on the docks. “I’m more concerned you might have a heart attack in the store,” Loretta added. “Did you run here?”
Estelle nodded. “As soon as I got off the phone with Junior.”
Loretta straightened and looked concerned. “Well, who is it?”
“Frank!” Estelle blurted.
“Frank? That’s impossible.”
Something in her voice made Sawyer stand up straighter. He exchanged a glance with Royce. Could they have discovered Frank’s alibi so easily?
Estelle placed a hand on the counter and took some deep breaths. “Junior said they arrested him today. Several witnesses reported Frank arguing with Les on the docks yesterday afternoon before the storm. The chief wanted him to account for his time between the argument and ten this morning. Frank said he couldn’t.”
“Estelle, can you watch the store for me?” Loretta asked as she walked around the counter.
“Of course, but where are you going?”
Loretta, who was halfway to the door in just a few angry strides, called over her shoulder, “To get my man out of jail. I love that foolhearted, stubborn mule.”
Sawyer and Royce exchanged pleased grins. They’d achieved their top objective with some help from Estelle. Sawyer figured she might be able to help them with another part of the mystery. “Estelle, we’ve been trying to get ahold of Gary Redmon. We need some assistance arranging cleanup for our rental property. He’s not answering his phone, and his office is closed. Do you happen to know where he lives?”
“Of course,” she replied, sounding happy to help. She wrote down directions on a slip of paper by the register. “It’s the three-story Gothic house. Can’t miss it.”
“Thank you so much,” Royce said when she rang up their purchases. “You’ve been such a big help.”
Gary’s house was a short walk from the general store, so they didn’t have time to get into a deep discussion before they reached the property. It was indeed a massive Gothic structure that looked like it had been plucked out of Savannah and dropped on the island. Limbs and storm debris were scattered all over the yard, and it didn’t seem as if anyone had made the slightest attempt to clear the property.
“It doesn’t feel like anyone is home,” Royce said as they approached the structure.
“Was just thinking the same thing. It’s too quiet and still.”
Sawyer and Royce’s suspicions were confirmed when their knocks went unanswered.
Royce turned to face him. “Should we look around and make sure everything is okay?”
“And risk the neighbors reporting suspicious activity to the cops?” Sawyer asked. “We have no way of knowing that Gary didn’t take his family off the island on one of the last ferries. I don’t think it’s worth the risk. It’s better to stay off the chief’s radar.”
“True,” Royce said. “Let’s head back home. We should know soon if our efforts to free Frank have paid off. The rest isn’t our problem.” When Sawyer didn’t answer right away, Royce squeezed his hands. “Right, GB?”
Sawyer, who’d been staring off into space, met Royce’s tempestuous gray eyes. “Yeah. You’re right.”
“Whatever will we do with our free time now?” Royce asked as they strolled down the sidewalk.
“We could invite the young’uns over for a bonfire,” Sawyer suggested. He glanced over and caught the pout of his husband’s mouth. He nudged him with his elbow. “After I rock your world.”