Page 79 of Cougar Point

The man’s gaze moved from Christi to Lucas and back to Christi again, a questioning expression on his face.

“This is Sergeant Lucas, from the Sheriff’s Department,” Christi said brightly. Perhaps it was Lucas’s imagination, but it looked like she had physically snapped to attention. By the looks of the man in the suit, this wasn’t a mere manager, it was the owner.

“Jack Marsh,” the man in the suit said, extending a hand abruptly. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Lucas took his hand, expecting a bone-crushing shake. He was not disappointed.

“Just making some inquiries on a vehicle that may have been sighted in your lot, Mr.Marsh. Christi has been very cooperative.”

“Jack, we’re running late,” the woman Lucas assumed to be his wife said in a bored tone of voice, still adjusting the earring.

Marsh didn’t acknowledge the interjection.

“What vehicle? What’s this in relation to?”

“Nothing you have to worry about. It’s of potential relevance to a case I’m working.”

His wife finally seemed satisfied with the position of the earring and turned back to see that her husband was still occupied. “Jack…”

“Just a second, Vic,” he said without looking around. “Do I need to be concerned?”

“I don’t know,” Lucas said, knowing he was being needlessly antagonistic. He couldn’t help it, though. He had met this prick twenty seconds ago and already hated him. “What’s your interest in this company?”

“I own the resort, Officer Lucas.”

“Sergeant,” Lucas corrected, not rising to the bait by sounding aggrieved. “Okay, then you can let me see the security footage for Tuesday.”

“I’d be delighted to,” Marsh said. “As soon as you produce your warrant.”

Lucas sighed. “Can we talk privately?”

Marsh smiled imperiously. “Sure, as soon as you have that warrant.”

Lucas glanced at the receptionist, who was making herself busy with some paperwork and trying not to look like she was listening. Mrs. Marsh wasn’t paying any attention, but she wasn’t pretending. He leaned in and lowered his voice.

“I don’t want to be difficult, Mr. Marsh. But I’m investigating a murder here, and I’m trying to trace a vehicle that might be related and was sighted on your property. I can absolutely get a warrant, but it will take time, and I can assure you it will be more hassle for you.”

Marsh stared back at him, and Lucas was suddenly sure he was going to tell him to go ahead. But then he rolled his eyes and looked over at the receptionist.

“Christi, let him have the footage for Tuesday.” He looked back at Lucas. “But anything else, you’re going to have to come back with something official.”

“Much obliged,” Lucas said.

FIFTY-ONE

We left Rebecca and Jack at Cougar Point to make arrangements for the motel and traveled to Semiahmoo Resort. Roger Whiting is behind the registration desk.

“Detectives,” Roger says with an apprehensive look.

“Hi, Roger. Have you remembered something?” Ronnie asks.

He says, “The police came and looked at your mom’s room and did a thorough search of the resort and grounds.”

I ask, “Roger, have you talked to Sergeant Lucas recently?”

He shakes his head but his eyes tell me he’s lying, and so I push.

“Roger, Lucas said he talked to you.”

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