Page 10 of Southernmost Murder

“He wasn’t wearing a name tag, Seb.”

“Smartass. You manage a historical home.”

I twirled the cigarette and stuck it back in my mouth. “Only the Smith family lived here.”

He stared expectantly.

“Dude, you need to take up some new interests.”

Sebastian frowned.

“I’m not going to presume anything,” I continued. “But… there is a rumor… about Captain Smith. His death was controversial, and he never ended up in the family plot.”

“Wheredidhe end up?”

I shrugged. “There’s no evidence that story has any validity to it. He has a headstone out in the Key West cemetery. Some locals also say he was the infamous pirate, One-Eyed Jack,andthat he haunts the house, so… take the story with a grain of salt.”

“Someone didn’t want you to have the chance to identify him, perhaps?” Sebastian pointed out.

I realized I was chewing on the filter of the cigarette and took it from my lips. “You think so?”

He shrugged. “Why else would it go missing?”

I tugged on one earring thoughtfully. “Sounds like this could be dangerous.”

“I’d talk to the police again, just to be on the safe side.”

“Stupid cop thought I was making it up,” I grumbled.

“I can ask Calvin to make some calls. Maybe he can scare someone into listening,” Sebastian offered.

“I don’t need your boyfriend’s help,” I said, waving a hand at the screen. “Jun has more jurisdiction.”

“Is that what you guys call it?”

“What did you want, anyway?” I asked sternly.

Sebastian made a sound under his breath and then smiled. “I recently acquired a tool kit used at sea. I was hoping to catch you before your lunchtime nap and pick your brain about it.”

“Lunchtime?” I looked at the clock. “Holy shit, it’s really noon?” I shouted.

Sebastian startled. “Uh, yeah. You okay?”

“Oh God. I have to go!”

“Aubs—” Adam called.

“I left Jun at the airport for over two hours!” I jumped out of my chair.

“Aubrey,” Adam said again from the doorway.

I spun around, dropped my cigarette, and hunted on the desk for my cell phone. “What?”

“You left him at the airport?” Sebastian repeated.

“My cell’s missing,” I answered loudly.

“Someone is here to see you, Aubrey,” Adam tried.