Page 55 of Killer Honeymoon
“The captain’s name is Todd Browning,” Chief said. “We’ve been unable to locate him. It’s possible he left the island before the storm hit.”
“We do know his favorite watering hole,” Royce said. “Why don’t Sawyer and I do the tourist thing tonight and chat up the bartenders?”
Chesterfield nodded. “Sounds like a good deal. So that just leaves Gary.” He shook his head slowly. “I haven’t lived here all that long, but I find it hard to believe Gary is capable of committing such heinous acts.”
“He’s the most likely candidate,” Sawyer said. “He’s the only one who’s been around long enough to learn Frank’s habits. Whoever vandalized Moore’s boat knew Frank would be kayaking in the bay that morning.”
“True,” Chesterfield said, “but we don’t know what other kind of jobs Browning performed for Moore. Gary could’ve told Moore everything he knew about Frank, and Browning could’ve used the knowledge to set Frank up to take the fall.”
“But why?” Royce asked. “What could’ve been in the safe?”
“Whatever dirt Moore had on Gary,” Sawyer said.
“And as the property manager, Gary has keys or codes to this house,” Royce added. “He jimmied the garage door open and ransacked the place to throw us off.”
“Would Gary know you’re cops?” Lowell asked.
Sawyer tilted his head and considered the question. “I doubt it came up in conversation between my mother and Gary when they discussed getting the property ready for our visit.”
The lights came on in the house and dormant appliances hummed as they came back to life.
“Thank goodness,” Royce said.
“My money is on the bodyguard, Browning,” Lowell said. “He’s a braggart about town if you know what I mean.”
“Not really,” Chesterfield said. “I’d think a bodyguard would be discreet.”
“He might be about some things,” the young officer said, “but he brags about the high-stakes poker games he got into with his boss, Gary, and Leighton Massie.”
“Who’s Massie?” Sawyer and Royce asked.
“The mayor,” Chesterfield and Lowell replied.
“Sounds like there could’ve been a lot of cash in the safe,” Sawyer said. “Anyone who overheard him bragging could’ve targeted Moore.”
“But they wouldn’t have known to frame Frank,” Chesterfield countered.
“I think we’re missing the bigger picture here,” Royce interjected. “We’ve got four guys who play high-stakes poker. One is dead and two are missing. Does that make Leighton a potential killer or victim?”
Chesterfield straightened. “Not the killer,” he replied. “Leighton and I were together during the window Moore was killed. We prepped beforehand, bunkered down together at the station in case there were emergencies, and worked together to clean up the storm’s aftermath until I got pulled away when the Coast Guard arrived.”
“He might know something to help the investigation,” Sawyer suggested.
The chief rose to his feet. “Which I plan to ask him about right now. Then I’ll see if I have better luck tracking down Gary.” Chesterfield squared his shoulders and pinned them with a somber expression. “Be careful tonight, and let me know right away if you learn anything valuable.”
“Will do, Chief,” Royce said.
After Lowell and Chesterfield left, Royce turned to face him. “Now can we have sex?”
Sawyer scrunched up his face. “Not now. I haven’t showered in nearly twenty-four hours.”
“Our electricity is back on. Let’s take a shower together.” He waggled his brows adorably and moved in closer.
“Do you want to take another cold shower?” Sawyer asked. “The water heater takes time to reheat the water in the tank.”
Royce shivered. “Fine. I can wait a little longer.”
Sawyer hooked his finger in Royce’s waistband. “I’ll make it worth the wait.”