Page 51 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

An opening on the far side of the cramped space led to a stairwell much like the one that led to Tommy’s apartment. Most downtown establishments were probably built the same. Business on the bottom, apartment on top.

She stayed close to Tommy as they climbed the stairs. A loud pop sounded, and dread settled in her stomach. “That was a gunshot.” She guided her gun from its holster.

Tommy pounded his fist against the door. “Curtis! Are you in there? It’s Deputies Wells and Pennel.”

No sounds came from the other side of the door.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yes.” She tightened her grip, holding the gun at the ready.

Tommy grabbed the knob and turned. “It’s unlocked.”

Her heart galloped, her palms moist.

Tommy burst open the door. “Shit.”

She entered the apartment behind Tommy, the scent of blood and death engulfing her. Horror made her want to stumble back outside, but she held her ground.

Sitting at a table was Curtis with his head down, blood pooling from a gunshot wound on his temple.

19

Tommy took a second to check his gag reflex at the door. The iron-like smell of blood assaulted his nostrils. But it was the brain matter splattered against the wall that almost had him heaving his burger from earlier.

Sadie sidestepped him and moved further into the apartment. “Gunshot wound to the head. Gun’s on the ground under his hand, which is dangling at his side. Looks self-inflicted.”

Sucking in a deep breath through his mouth, Tommy rounded the table. Thick blood covered the wood and dripped onto the floor. “Dammit. How long has he been sitting up here?”

“Do you think we freaked him out?” Her voice wobbled a bit before she cleared her throat.

“Maybe. What’s that under him?” He slowly approached Curtis. A piece of paper, white except for the blood smears, poked out from under him. Tommy pulled a pair of rubber gloves from his pocket and carefully slid out the paper. “All it says is ‘Sorry’.”

Sadie hurried to join him, peering over his arm at the paper. “Apology for killing Shawn? Maybe the guilt along with knowing we set our sights on him pushed him over the edge.”

“It’s typed out. You think he sat down, typed out one word, printed it out, then shot himself?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I don’t know. Doesn’t feel right. Not for a guy like Curtis.”

“We need to call dispatch.”

He grabbed his phone and made the call. “Deputy Pennel and I are at Curtis McLane’s apartment. Appears to be dead. Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right side of the head.” Realization dawned on him. Closing his eyes, he brought a memory of Curtis pulling the tabs on the draft beer to his mind—his left side facing the door, his left hand pulling the lever. “Send the crime scene unit. Now.” He disconnected and shoved his phone back in his pocket.

“What’s going on?”

“He’s left-handed. He always pulls the lever on the tap with his left hand. I’d swear it.” He darted his gaze around the room. There had to be another way to prove which hand Curtis preferred. “If I’m right, chances are slim he’d use his right hand to aim a gun at his own head.”

“That would mean he didn’t kill himself. He was murdered.” Sadie pulled out her weapon. “We need to clear the apartment. I don’t think someone would hang around, but we can’t risk it.”

Tommy nodded, his throat tightening. He grabbed the gun he’d put back after spotting the body. “The setup here is just like my place. Kitchen, living room, short hall with a bathroom on one side and bedroom on the other.”

“Kitchen’s obviously clear,” Sadie said, scanning the narrow room.

Tommy nodded and headed into the adjacent living room. The open concept made checking the room unnecessary, buthe didn’t want to take any risks. He nudged aside a heap of blankets, opened the closet by the front door, then crept toward the back of the apartment.

Next, he checked the bathroom. He stepped inside while Sadie waited in the hall. The room was so small, there was no space for the both of them. The dark blue shower curtain was pushed to one side, giving him a clear view of the inside of the shower. Nothing stood out, nothing shouted a killer had been here.

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