Page 27 of Light of Day

“It’s not Gabby,” he called over his shoulder to Heather. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her slump to the ground.

He turned the man’s head so he could see his face. Holy shit. He recognized him immediately.

This was Denton Simms.

14

The shocking news of Denton Simms’drowning rocketed around the island in record time. By the time Heather dropped into the Bloodshot Eyeball to bring her mother a case of milk from the store, all the customers were buzzing with speculation. She caught snippets of their comments as she transferred the cartons into the refrigerator.

“Denton was a good swimmer. Didn’t he compete in high school?”

“Maybe he was drunk.”

“No, he quit, remember?”

“Could have fallen off the wagon. He was a binge drinker. Remember the time he disappeared for two weeks ’cause he was so pickled?”

“Did he fall off his boat?”

“Wouldn’t have ended up northeast if he had.”

“Maybe he couldn’t take it anymore without Shannon around. He really loved her.”

“Poor Denton. Won’t be the same without him.”

“You eavesdropping on my customers?” Heather startled as her mother stepped into the kitchen. She wore a black apron over her denim shorts. Sally dressed like someone even younger than Heather. Next to her, Heather often felt like a boring older sister or maybe an aunt.

“Yes,” she said simply. “What am I supposed to do, cover my ears?”

Sally sighed and leaned one hip against the kitchen counter. “Thanks for bringing me the milk. How are you doing? I heard you were there when they found him.”

“It was horrible. I thought it was going to be Gabby. And then when Luke said it was Denton...I just can’t believe he’s gone. I remember going on his boat back when Dad worked with him.”

Sally squeezed her shoulder in comfort. “He was a real one.”

“Yes, he was.” Heather liked that description. They were both silent for a moment, thinking of Denton. “We still don’t know where Gabby is, so…I guess I’m not okay. Thanks for asking.”

“Of course, honey. Jeez, just because we disagree on some things doesn’t mean I don’t worry about you. Gabby too. What’s next? I mean, with looking for her?”

“I don’t know.” Heather heard the hint of despair in her voice, and cleared her throat. She put the last carton of milk in the fridge and closed the door. “Luke is dealing with Denton’s case now. He’s with the doctor, they’re examining the body. He probably won’t be free until later. I was thinking I might…”

“Might what?”

“Search Denton’s house,” she admitted.

“Oh honey. That sounds like a very bad idea. Right up your alley.” Sally winked at her.

“Very funny.” Heather made a face at her mother, although the truth was, it felt good to be teased like that. Like normal, as if Gabby wasn’t missing, and everything wasn’t a nightmare.

“What do you think you’ll find there? What does old Denton have to do with Gabby?”

“I think Denton mailed some tapes to her. She wanted to follow up for our podcast.”

“Dirty Rotten Bastards? Best title ever, by the way.”

“Thanks. That was my idea, but everything else…” Her throat closed up as she thought about how much Gabby had put into the podcast, and how little she had.

Another idea occurred to her. “Maybe I should go to the Lightkeeper Inn and talk to the staff there. Do you know any of them?”