Page 13 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

“Hey, Tommy, what can I do ya for?” Curtis grabbed a white dishtowel from over his shoulder and wiped down the bar. “A little early for dinner.”

“Schedule’s weird today. Worked the night shift, then caught a case this morning. I grabbed a few hours rest, but back at it. Nothing like one of your bacon cheeseburgers to put me in the right state of mind to get shit done.”

A gravelly laugh boomed from Curtis—the kind that came from smoking a pack a day—then his mouth dropped into a frown. “Wait a minute. Are you talking about Shawn?”

Tommy cocked his head toward her. “Deputy Pennel’s the one who found him. We’re both working the case.”

Understanding shone through the grief in his eyes. “You’re here to ask me questions.”

“Just the basics,” Sadie said, the need to assert herself pressing down on her lungs.

Curtis drew in a large breath. “I figured someone would be by. Why don’t I get your orders then I’ll swing around and giveyou guys as much time as you need. Deputy Pennel, do you know what you want?”

She’d settled on a salad, but Tommy’s order made her change her mind. “I’ll have what Tommy’s having. Throw in some fries and a cola.”

“Same,” Tommy said.

Curtis headed toward the swinging door that led to the kitchen.

Tommy propped his elbows on the countertop. “How about we figure out a game plan while we wait for Curtis? We should also figure out a time to speak with Melissa Downs again soon.”

She shifted on the hard stool. The beginning of this partnership was harder than hurling flurries during a snowstorm, but they’d finally reached a truce and agreed to move forward. Admitting she talked to the judge could ruffle his feathers and put her and Tommy right back on a path filled with animosity. But she had to tell him. “Melissa Downs stopped by Shawn’s trailer after you left.”

“What? Why?” Confusion instead of anger lifted his voice, loosening the knots in her stomach.

“She wanted to be close to Shawn. She scared the crap out of me, actually. She didn’t have a key and tried to break in. I was waiting for her in the living room with a gun in my hands.”

He faced her with wide eyes. “You pulled a gun on the county judge?”

She cringed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He grinned. “Fine. What happened? Did you talk to her?”

“I asked some questions. If she knew of anyone who wanted to hurt Shawn, she didn’t offer any insight. The conversation was brief. I told her the two of us would be by to talk with her more, but we might want to give her a day or so.”

“I agree. Did you find anything else at Shawn’s?”

She shrugged. “A few things, but not sure it’ll amount to much. The money’s the big thing. I also found a picture of him and a couple other guys that he wrote on the back of. It said, ‘Before I ruined everything.’”

“I’d like to see that. Figure out who he was with. What about electronics?”

“He had a laptop. It’s at the station and still needs to be looked over.”

“How about we head back to the station when we’re done here? I’d like to see what’s on the computer before we make our next move. There could be something that points in the right direction.”

The kitchen door swung open, and Curtis stepped through the doorway with a plate in each hand. The smell of the angus patties and French fries made it to her before the bar owner did. Her mouth watered. “Good plan. Now let’s focus on Curtis. An old friend of Shawn’s from high school who saw Shawn almost every day should have a lot of information.” She kept her voice low so Curtis wouldn’t hear.

Tommy tightened his jaw, his gaze fixed on Curtis.

Awareness crept along the back of her neck. Did Tommy think Curtis held the key to figuring out what happened to Shawn because the two were friends, or because Curtis might have known Shawn well enough to discover his secrets?

Secrets that could lead to murder.

“Wouldyou rather talk here or grab a table?” Tommy asked as Curtis set a plate in front of him.

Curtis glanced around the mostly empty room. “Here’s fine. Ashley won’t come in to serve tables for another hour, andTony’s in the kitchen prepping for dinner. I need to be able to see what’s going on. Give me a second, and I’ll grab your sodas.”

Sadie slid her plate closer. “What’s your take on this guy?”

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