Page 45 of Tide and Seek

“Just asking,” Hartley said, shrugging.“Sometimes the pump filter system is installed in a garage or interior utility room inside a home.”

“Not in this case,” I murmured.

“You ever see any of the service people talking to Mrs.Brownstone?”

I frowned.“I’m sure she must have talked to them, but I don’t recall a specific instance.”I didn’t bother mentioning that odds were she wouldn’t have been talking to them, she’d have been yelling at them.

“And you didn’t see anyone hanging around the night you arrived from Rainy Dale?”

“No.Sorry.”I grimaced.

“Right.”He sighed, looking tired.“Okay, well, that’s all I have for you at the moment.”

“If you think of anything else, just call.”I sounded way too happy he was leaving.Hopefully he didn’t notice how eager I was to get rid of him.

“I will.”Hartley closed his notepad and stood.“If you think of who it was who told you Mrs.Brownstone still frequented the private beach, let me know.”

“Sure,” I mumbled, guilt resurfacing.

Hartley turned to Royce.“Oh, and to answer your earlier question, Sheriff Callum, the coroner estimates time of death between 7:00 p.m.and midnight Tuesday.”

“Okay, thanks for sharing that information,” Royce said, also rising.

I got to my feet, still avoiding looking at Royce.I felt guilty for lying to Hartley about James, and knew Royce wouldn’t be pleased with me.

Hartley moved toward the front door, tucking his pad away.“I’ll probably have a few follow-up questions for you two, but we can most likely handle those over the phone.When exactly are you flying back to Rainy Dale?”

“Next Thursday night,” I said, opening the door for him.

Hartley stepped out onto the stoop, his gray eyes serious.“If you think of anything you forgot to tell me, don’t hesitate to call.”

“I will,” I said.

“Good luck with your investigation, Detective Hartley.”Royce sounded pleasant, but I could feel a current of uneasiness beneath the surface.

I closed the door and leaned against it, slowly turning to face Royce.My stomach clenched at his grim expression.“Don’t be mad,” I said softly.

“Why’d you lie, Max?”he asked gruffly, confusion shimmering in his brown eyes.

I winced.“Because it isn’t important who told me about Mrs.Brownstone still using the beach.”

“If it isn’t important, then why not just tell Hartley it was James who told you?”

“He already seemed so fixated on James,” I said plaintively.“I didn’t want to give him any more of a reason to focus on him.What does it matter who told us?”

“You’re not supposed to decide what’s important to the investigation.You’re supposed to tell the truth and let the detectives build their case.”

I grimaced.“Right, but we both know not all detectives are great at their jobs.For all we know, Hartley just wants to close this case quickly and will hang the murder charge on whoever seems easiest.”

“He doesn’t strike me as that kind of detective.”

“Okay, but we don’t really know him.”I sighed.“But I do know James, and he’s no murderer.”

“You have no way of knowing that.”His voice was riddled with frustration.“Anyone is capable of murder if the circumstances are right.”

I let out an impatient breath.“Why would James murder Mrs.Brownstone?”

“How would I know?”He sounded exasperated.“That’s not the point.It’s not your job to keep things from the police just to protect your ex-boyfriend.”