Page 45 of Smuggler's Cove

“But we had nothing to do with this. We were there for less than an hour. We left around four.” Just when Madison thought her day could not get any worse, another head-spinner. At least she was on dry ground this time. “I’m sorry, Detective, but we don’t know anyone in the area.”

“I understand; however, as I mentioned, you own the property.” He cleared his throat. “We need a statement.”

“Of course. Sorry. I did not mean to sound heartless. I am simply in shock.” For the second, make that the third, time that day. First was the discovering the ramshackle dock, then a face-plant on the deck, and now this. Could it get worse? She was afraid to ask.

“When do you want to see us?” She was rolling her eyes, furrowing her brow, and twisting her mouth.

“The sooner the better. How is tomorrow? One o’clock?”

“I have to check my schedule.”

“Ms. Wainwright, I don’t mean to be harsh, but your schedule will have to wait. A man is dead, and we don’t know how or why.”

“Of course. Of course. How insensitive of me.” Madison was truly embarrassed. “It has been a long, long day.”

“I understand.”

“Does anyone know who the poor man is?” Madison was regaining her sense of sympathy.

“Not yet. He had no identification on him, and by the looks of it, he had been in the water several days.”

Madison’s face went sour. “How awful.”

Olivia sat with her mouth agape. She reached for Madison’s hand. Then Lincoln’s.

“Yes. This is not an unusual occurrence around here, but unfortunate, nonetheless.”

“Of course. Can you text me the address, please? We will be there by one. Thank you for calling. Again, apologies if I was a bit terse.”

“No apologies necessary. See you tomorrow.” The detective ended the call.

Madison slouched on the sofa. “Talk about a fine kettle of fish.”

Chapter Eleven

The Investigation Begins

The next morning, Madison decided to dress more appropriately for her jaunt to clam-town, and of course, the police department. White capri pants, white tank, white cardigan, and white skimmers with a rubber bottom. If she were going to fall on her face, at least her shoes would not be to blame.

She checked the labels of the borrowed clothing—extra large—and then quickly walked to the Rag & Bone down the street from her loft. She suspected Hannah didn’t have anything from the high-end store, but it was the closest place to her apartment, and it was a small gesture to repay the woman’s kindness. She decided to buy two shirts and two pairs of pants for her. An hour later, Lincoln and Olivia picked her up, and they headed to Jersey. Traffic was light, and they arrived before their appointment.

“Do you think we should visit the crime scene?” Lincoln asked.

“Our entire life has been a crime scene, or hadn’t you noticed?” Madison said sarcastically, and rested her head against the window.

“Easy, girl. We will give them our statement and then get out of here.”

“With all the commotion, you never mentioned anything about the real estate agent. What did she say?”

“There are some legal hurdles before we can sell it.”

“Oh, please don’t tell me this.”

“It has something to do with the water rights.”

“What do you mean?”

“Riparian rights. Tidewaters, etcetera,” Lincoln replied.