Page 27 of Stone Coast

"I’d prefer if we did this by the book and got you on video."

"I'm going to decline your invitation at this time, but I appreciate your thoroughness," I said, glaring at him.

"I get suspicious when people are uncooperative."

I bit my tongue, took a breath, and steadied myself. "I’ve been cooperative. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I've been through a traumatic experience, and I’d like a little time to myself."

"Of course," he said in an unsympathetic voice.

"By the way, how long had you known Grayson?"

14

"Like I said, it's complicated."

"It's a simple question," Scarborough said. "How long have you known Grayson?"

"I'm not sure."

He gave me a quizzical look, then I told him about my recent incident.

"So you have no memory of anything past a week ago?"

"That's what I said."

"And you were mugged and shot in the head. And now home invaders stormed in and shot your boyfriend."

"That pretty much sums it up."

"You seem to be a magnet for trouble." He paused. “IT sales?" he said in a skeptical tone, his eyes piercing into me. "You involved in anything else?"

My brow knitted. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. You just seem to attract a bad element. Judging by the surroundings, it looks like you are accustomed to a certain lifestyle. It's not uncommon for rival drug dealers to target a kingpin."

It took me a second to process. When I did, I laughed. "You think I'm a drug kingpin and that these men were trying to rip me off because they thought I had cash and a stash of drugs?"

"That's the first thing that comes to my mind."

I looked at him like he was an idiot. "How many drug cases have you worked, detective?"

"Quite a few."

"And how many murder cases?"

"Almost as many."

"Maybe I should ask what your solve ratio is?"

He didn't like that much.

"Grayson was a doctor,” I said. “This is his house."

“And you work in IT sales, I know…” he said, still doubtful. "Where do you live?"

"In Pelican Point on a small boat."

"Must be nice,” Scarborough said. “When I retire, I’m gonna sell it all, buy a boat, live on the water, and sail the seas."