Page 15 of Murder in the Lighthouse

“She wasn’t just any old records clerk. Bethany has been working for the county since she graduated high school. She started as a part-time employee in college and worked her way up to managing the entire records area.”

“At the sheriff’s department? That’s twelve years.”

“Yeah. She started as a data entry clerk and kept getting promoted until she became the manager. She’s in charge of the entire system. It says here that she’s responsible for scanning and uploading all files, keeping up-to-date logs, and creating digital copies of the physical evidence, including information about files, coming and going, and who has access. She processes all incoming and outgoing physical correspondence requests. All routine verification to ensure the integrity of the filing system goes through Bethany Heywood.”

“Wow. Why wasn’t that detail listed in the official police report? She’s a critical part of Santa Cruz’s law enforcement system. Either a cog in the wheel or a gatekeeper of sorts. My mind is already beginning to spin all kinds of scenarios. None of them good.”

“This puts a whole new light on things. I wonder if Theo knows.”

“You mean, has he made the connection between two siblings—one a Santa Cruz city engineer and a sheriff’s department employee—both going missing within six days of each other? Has Eastlyn discovered Bethany worked for the sheriff’s department yet? You don’t think she deliberately kept that from me?”

“Why would she? Maybe the sheriff’s department held back that piece of information. They have to know their employee went missing. Right? It’s not a coincidence that her brother was found dead. But why did it happen here in town? What broughthim here? Why would he think Bethany ended up in Pelican Pointe?”

“I’m telling you, I don’t think Bethany went hiking that Sunday. That’s just what she told her family. At least when we meet with her parents this afternoon, we have something specific to ask them about instead of generic questions. Her job. Let’s keep digging. What did you find out about Sam? We want to be as prepared as possible.”

Lucien made a face, thinking about how Sam’s body looked inside the lantern room. He tried to shake off that image and continued to key in the name. “Sam Heywood graduated UC Santa Cruz seven years ago with a master’s degree in civil engineering. In his job with the city, he’s responsible forall legal and contractual requirements. He’s in charge of enforcing city ordinances and building codes related to new construction within the city limits. He’s a single guy living in a townhouse at 309 Placid Way.”

“Interesting. Does his duties includestudying environmental impact?”

“No. That’s someone else’s job. Why?”

“Developers have been known to bribe a city official or two to make sure their projects are greenlighted.”

“Sam was in charge of enforcing building codes for new construction. That’s an avenue to explore. Good thinking.”

“Did he have a girlfriend?”

“That’s not in the data. But it’s something to ask the parents. We need to ask them about Lacey Jarnigan’s relationship with Sam.”

She grabbed her tablet. “Let’s make a list of questions beforehand, make sure we get the lowdown on both of their jobs. Oh, my God. I just realized that Mr. and Mrs. Heywood may have lost both of their children unless Sam and Bethany had more siblings?”

“Let me check,” Lucien said as he went to another database, keying onBarry and Marta’s background. “Nope. Sam was their only son, and Bethany is their only daughter.”

“That’s awful,” Brogan muttered. “We’ll need to tread lightly there, Lucien. This must be a devastating time for them. Their only son dead, their only daughter missing.”

The doorbell rang, causing Brogan to jump. “Sorry. I guess I’m on edge for a variety of reasons. I’ll get the door,” she said, getting to her feet.

Lucien checked their front door Ring Cam. “I don’t know this woman. Do you?”

She grinned. “Nope. But I’ll find out the old-fashioned way.”

Brogan headed to the entryway and opened the door to a brunette in her mid-thirties with big brown eyes dressed in a white sweater, a jean skirt, and trendy boots. Brogan didn’t have time to ask who she was before the female began a long sentence jumbled together.

“Hi, I’m Lacey Jarnigan. I’m a friend of Beckett Callahan’s. Beckett and I used to date a long time ago.”

A nervous Lacey continued talking. “Anyway, he recommended you to take over Sam Heywood’s disappearance and now murder. I can’t get anything out of the cops. He said he’d asked you to intervene in Sam’s case because he trusted you and your husband. That is if you’re Brogan Cole and I have the right house. I know it’s been less than twenty-four hours since they found Sam’s body, but I’ve spent the past two weeks worried about him, wondering what happened to him and Bethany. Since Beckett blew me off, I’d like to officially hire you. I want you to find out who killed him. And find out what happened to Bethany. I’m sorry. I’m nervous. And I’m rambling.”

“Understandable. Come on in,” Brogan offered, ushering her inside. “As it happens, we have questions for you. Maybe you can tell us everything you know about Sam.”

4

As Lacey Jarnigan settled into a chair in the den, she glanced nervously at Lucien, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “I don’t know where to begin.”

Lucien gave her a warmhearted smile. “No need to be nervous. We aren’t the cops. We want to help find whoever did this.”

“Take a deep breath and start anywhere you want,” Brogan urged. “We’re here to listen to whatever you want to tell us as long as it’s the truth. We’re big on the truth around here. Maybe begin by telling us how long you two had known each other?”

Lacey tried to relax, leaning back into the chair, and cleared her throat. “A few days into our freshman year at college, I met Sam in the cafeteria. We hit it off, and we’ve been friends ever since. We’re talking about a friendship that lasted over fourteen years. During that time, we dated occasionally, off and on, butwe always stayed friends no matter what. Sam was sweet, funny, and always had a smile on his face,” she added, her voice tinged with sadness. “After we both graduated, the dynamic changed. We decided to look for jobs locally because we both wanted to remain in Santa Cruz. Me especially. And that’s what we did. Sam got a job with the city. Bethany dropped out of college and went to work full-time for the sheriff’s department. And in between all of that, I landed a job as an operations manager for a non-profit. Around that same time, Sam and I decided we were better off as friends.”

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