Page 32 of Tide and Seek

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?”