Page 15 of Tide and Seek (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #8)

My brow furrowed. “Cap? You mean you took some capsules? Of what?”

Luke laughed. “No, not capsules. I’m talking about shrooms.”

“Oh, I see… so you took mushrooms?” If he was telling the truth, I was relieved it wasn’t something more dangerous. Although, I still didn’t love the idea of him wandering around Malibu tripping.

“Shrooms are next level,” he said distractedly. “I prefer to experience the world in textures and colors, ya know?”

“Er… of course.” I grimaced. “Who doesn’t?”

Luke gave Royce a wary look. “You’re a cop back in Texas, but you don’t have any jurisdiction here, right?”

Royce nodded. “That’s right.”

“That’s what I thought.” Luke blew out a shaky breath as if relieved, but then his bleary gaze seemed to fix on the camera in the upper corner of the room. “I never realized you had cameras, Doc.”

“Yes, they came with the security system I had installed a few years ago.”

Luke nodded. “Must be why the cops got here so fast the other night.”

“Yes, the security company alerted the police.” I wondered how he knew how quickly they’d responded. According to Deputy Gonzalez, Luke had claimed he hadn’t even heard the alarm. Had he lied about that? And if so, why? Or had he simply not wanted to get involved?

“It’s crazy to think someone actually tried to rob you,” Luke mumbled, still staring at the camera. “Things are insane around here lately. I mean to think we had a break-in and a dead body on the beach? That’s just crazy, man.”

“Yes, very… crazy,” I agreed.

“I had no idea you had cameras,” he murmured. “That’s good. Gotta be safe. Lots of weirdos out there.”

It was becoming clear to me that Luke’s visit hadn’t been spontaneous. High as a kite or not, I didn’t buy his story about working out on the beach and impulsively deciding to come visit because he was thirsty. He had some agenda for dropping in like this, but I couldn’t imagine what it was.

Royce settled next to me and asked bluntly, “Were you home the night of the break-in, Luke?”

Luke hesitated. “Yeah. Why?”

Royce’s smile was easy-going. “Would you mind if we asked you a few questions about that night? I mean, since you’re here and all.”

Luke tensed. “Questions? What kind of questions?” He gripped the couch again as if he was experiencing more moving walls. “The cops already talked to me.”

“Oh, I know,” Royce said. “I was just wondering if maybe you’ve remembered something since then. Perhaps you saw someone hanging around the estates before or after the burglary at Dr. Thornton’s home, maybe someone you didn’t recognize.”

“No. Like I told the cops, I didn’t see anyone. I was home, but I don’t remember anything. I was feeling no pain, if you get my drift.” He made a gesture as if he was taking a pull on a joint. “Grass is legal in California.” He waggled a finger at Royce. “Don’t try to arrest me or anything.”

“Nah, of course not.” Royce smiled. “So, you didn’t see anything, but did you maybe hear something?”

“I didn’t see or hear anything.”

“But you heard the alarm go off?”

“Nope.” Luke’s eyes darted between us, and for a moment, I thought I caught a glimpse of something sharper behind the haze—calculation, perhaps, or wariness.

Royce studied Luke. “I thought you said the cops got here fast. I assumed that meant you heard the alarm.”

“No.” Luke cleared his throat. “Uh… I was just relaying what C.J. told me, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see.” Royce nodded.

“Me? I was dead to the world, deep in my buzz. Time and space get weird when I’m like that.” He scratched at his collarbone, avoiding Royce’s gaze. “Speaking of weird, do you remember that lady, Margie, Doc?”

“Margie?” The abrupt change of subject threw me, yet again. Conversing with Luke was like trying to talk to a ping-pong ball.

“Yeah, Margie. The cleaning lady. Short black hair with a streak of white in the front. She was thin and getting up there in years. Older than you guys even.”

“Is that right?” I asked sardonically. “She must have been ancient.”

“She was.” Luke nodded, not noticing the sarcasm. “She always wore bright pink lipstick and lash extensions.” He leaned forward, his bleary eyes bloodshot. “Don’t you remember her, man?”

I grimaced as I suddenly realized who he must be referring to. “Do you mean Margaret from Happy Housekeepers?”

“Yeah, that’s her. Most people called her Margie. Anyway, she croaked, man.”

I widened my eyes. “You’re saying she died?”

He nodded. “Yep.” He blinked at me, his expression odd. “You didn’t know already?”

“No. How would I?” I wrinkled my brow.

“I thought maybe you’d know because you were friends. She didn’t call you a few weeks ago?”

I scowled. “No, Luke. I haven’t talked to Margie in ages. I wouldn’t say we were friends.”

“Oh, she said she called you,” he mumbled, looking skeptical. “I thought that was why you were here.”

“I’m here because of the burglary.” Why in the world would Margie have said she’d called me? Was he simply confused?

“Right. The burglary,” he said softly.

“How’d she die?” Margaret, or Margie, had been cleaning houses at Ocean Whisper Estates since before I even bought my beach house. She hadn’t been a complete stranger, but I hadn’t known her well either. We’d exchanged the usual pleasantries when I happened to be home while she worked.

“She overdosed. They found her about a week ago in her apartment. I heard it was fentanyl. That stuff’s everywhere these days. Scary, right? One minute you’re cleaning fancy beach houses, the next—poof—you’re pushing up roses.” He snapped his fingers. “Wait, daisies. Pushing up daisies.”

“God, that’s awful.” A cold sensation spread through my chest. “We chatted sometimes. We weren’t close, but she used to tell me about her kids.

I think they’re both grown, and she was hoping for grandchildren.

This is so shocking. She seemed like such a nice lady. It’s hard to picture her using drugs.”

“I know, right?” Luke sighed. “She didn’t seem like the type, but I guess people hide shit. You never know what anyone is really like. Anyway, it’s super sad.” Luke’s tone lacked genuine empathy and his knee bounced as he glanced toward the hallway. “Hey, do you have any coffee?”

I blinked at him, still processing the news about Margie. “Coffee?”

Royce’s expression was alert as he watched Luke.

Luke glanced at Royce nervously. “Sorry, that was random, right?” He laughed again, a strained, awkward sound. “It’s just, I’ve been having these killer headaches, and caffeine sometimes helps, you know?”

“I don’t have any coffee made,” I said, trying to sound apologetic.

“No worries.” Luke stood, rubbing his hands down his thighs in an agitated manner. “I can probably DoorDash something.” He gave another one of those wheezy laughs. “Well, I should head out.”

“Of course.” I stood, glad he was leaving. He hadn’t been much help, and he was much stranger than I remembered.

Luke moved around the couch, heading toward the front door. “It was nice seeing you, Doc. Sorry to have to drop that depressing news about Margie on you. I just thought you should know. We’ll all have to find another cleaning service.”

Right. And also a woman died tragically.

Royce and I followed Luke to the door. Luke opened it and stepped out onto the stoop. There was a sheen of sweat on his tanned face and beneath the pungent scent of pot that clung to his clothes, was a hint of body odor.

“You guys staying in tonight?” Luke asked, his eyes almost a feverish blue as he studied me. “Or were you going out to dinner?”

“Does it matter?” I frowned.

“No, I’m just curious,” Luke said.

“We’re staying in,” Royce interjected firmly, his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll probably stay in most nights.”

Luke didn’t seem to like that response. “Even though you’re here on vacation? You should go out and party. Not sit at home.” His smile was strained. “Live a little.”

“Well, you know,” I said. “We’re pretty old, remember?”

Luke laughed a little too loudly. “Guess I hit a nerve earlier.” He turned. “Take it easy, dudes.” He ambled off down the lane in the direction of his home. He lit a cigarette when he was a few feet away, mumbling to himself.

I closed the door, blew out a shaky breath, and met Royce’s gaze.

“Well, that was damn weird,” Royce drawled, locking the door. “Was he always that odd?”

I led the way back into the living room. “Honestly, I don’t think so. Today, I felt like if I turned my back on him, he might try and lift my wallet. I’m sure I never felt that way around him before. He’s not taking care of himself either. He was a bag of bones and he didn’t smell clean.”

“Yeah, there was something going on there. I don’t think he was just on weed or shrooms either. I think he was on something stronger.” Royce looked wary. “I also didn’t get the feeling he just wanted to drop by to say hi. He had some other motive.”

“I got the same feeling, but what kind of motive could he have had?”

“Not sure.” Royce bit his bottom lip. “Maybe robbery. He was probably hoping you’d be here alone.”

I shivered. “But he knew I wasn’t here alone. James told him you were with me on this trip.”

“He probably forgot.” There was tension in Royce’s jaw. “Either way, I wouldn’t trust that kid as far as I can throw him.”

“No, yet it’s hard to imagine he’d have outright robbed me.”

“Is it?” Royce looked unconvinced. “He was pretty squirrely.”

“True,” I said. “Do you think he’s the burglar?”

Royce hesitated. “Anything’s possible. Maybe Gonzalez would allow us to view the security video. The intruder wore a mask, but I’d like to see the guy’s build and body type. That could help rule out Luke.”

“Or rule him in,” I muttered. “You think Gonzalez would share the video footage? I mean, it was my home that was broken into. Shouldn’t I be allowed to see it?”

“It doesn’t quite work like that. The security company provided the footage directly to law enforcement when asked. Once it’s in police hands and tied to a report, it becomes part of the case file. Unfortunately, that means access is now restricted.”