Page 52 of Killer Honeymoon

“Now we’re talking.” Royce tightened his grip on Sawyer’s hand and sped up.

When they finally reached their driveway, Sawyer knew something was immediately off with their cottage, just as he’d known Gary’s home was empty. It didn’t take him long to figure out what thesomethingwas. The garage door on the side of the house had been jimmied open with a screwdriver or crowbar.

Sawyer pushed open the door, and they eased inside the garage and quietly made their way into the house. The kitchen drawers were all pulled open, and things were strewn about the counters and floors. Cushions were pulled off the couches and tossed aside. They headed to their bedroom and found it in a similar condition. Clothes had been removed from the drawers and tossed onto the floor. Their mattress sat crookedly on the box spring as if someone had lifted it to see if valuables were tucked in between.

“Yet they left all the televisions and electronics?” Sawyer asked as he looked around.

Royce met his gaze with a scowl. “Nothing is even damaged. What kind of staged robbery is this?”

“Should we report it to the police?” Sawyer asked.

“Report what?” Royce countered. “Sure, we need to replace the door lock, but that’s it. Not worth filing an insurance claim over, let alone a police report.”

“But the break-in happened after we started snooping around,” Sawyer said. “It’s not likely to be a coincidence.”

“But we can’t exactly tell the chief that.”

Sawyer huffed out a frustrated breath. “True.”

“Let’s grab a bite to eat, then double-check that nothing is missing,” Royce said.

As Sawyer set sandwich makings on the counter, his gaze landed on the notebook they’d been using before they left. The page with the suspects, motives, and opportunities had been ripped out.

“Royce,” Sawyer called out. “I think I figured out what’s missing.”

“Perfect timing,” Royce replied. “The chief and Officer Lowell just pulled into our driveway.”

Sawyer bit back a groan. “Now what?”

“Well,” Royce said, “since we didn’t report the break-in, we let the chief steer the conversation. Let’s try to remember this man isn’t our enemy.”

“That we know of,” Sawyer countered.

Royce dropped the curtain and turned to meet Sawyer’s gaze. “We can at least give him the benefit of the doubt, yeah?”

Sawyer nodded and joined him in the foyer.

Royce opened the door before their visitors could ring the bell or knock. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

The chief slowly removed his aviator sunglasses and studied the two of them for a few moments before answering. “Heard you’ve been poking your noses into my investigation. Why?”

“When are you going to release Frank?” Sawyer asked instead of answering the chief’s question.

“I’m asking the questions here. Tell me why you’re butting into my investigation, or I’ll arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

Sawyer and Royce shared a glance. Royce’s glower saidNow you’ve done it. Sawyer hoped his saidOops.

“We don’t have a choice,” Royce said. The word now was left unsaid, but Sawyer still heard it loud in clear.

“There’s always a choice,” the chief grumbled. “Why don’t you fellas make the right one.”

Sawyer released a frustrated breath and said, “You might as well come on in. This will take a minute or two for us to explain.”

Chesterfield and Lowell stepped inside the house but didn’t walk farther than the foyer.

“Now, gentlemen,” Chesterfield said, “I’m sure you remember I’m investigating a homicide.”

“Yeah, about that,” Royce said. “We’re both detectives with the Savannah Police Department.”