Page 56 of Murder in the Lighthouse

“I’m not a winemaker. It’s not my jam. So this thing between you and Jade is heading to serious cohabitation?”

“Honestly, we’ve been cohabitating for quite some time. But yeah, I was surprised she said yes when I asked her to move in with me. I thought for sure that she had already decided to buy the house, and I’d missed my chance.”

Lucien chuckled. “Women are full of surprises, my friend. But I’m glad she said yes. Jade’s good for you."

Birk nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “Yeah, she is. Makes me want to be a better man. I’ve always avoided marriage until now. But it seems to work for you and Brogan.”

“We’ve known each other what seems like our entire lives. She was my best friend growing up. Not that I ever admitted that to her until much later. But we’ve always understood each other’s mindset, our childhood angst, and those fears you get living in the shadow of someone famous. From the start, she got all my quirks. We were so similar that sometimes it was downright spooky. In my teen years, it put me off until I came to my senses. If marriage is on the table, I recommend marrying your best friend. Brogan’s been my rock,” Lucien admitted a hint of contentment in his voice. “But I guess we all need someone, right? Someone to share the highs and lows with.”

Birk chuckled softly. “I guess we do. Jade’s special, not like anyone I’ve ever known. She’s honest, smart, strong-willed, and, to top it off, beautiful. She’s probably way too good for the likes of me.”

Lucien’s lips curved. “Brogan says she’s smitten. But don’t tell either one I said that.”

Birk studied the sunrise. “This thing with Jade is all new to me.” Beginning to feel uncomfortable with the topic, he shifted his weight. “Shouldn’t we be discussing football or something instead of romance?”

Lucien chuckled. “How many games do you watch on Thanksgiving Day? All three, or do you pick one, settle in for three hours, then spend time with the family?”

Relieved that they’d gone on to another subject, Birk grinned. “I watch the games while I help with dinner. My mother taught me that.”

“Excellent answer.” For no reason, Lucien decided to blurt out, “I have a younger brother living in San Diego that I never knew about until I uploaded my DNA to a website.”

“Really? After having a younger brother for most of my life, I’d say you’re lucky you found out now while there’s still time to do something about it. Get to know him before it’s too late.”

“Uh, yeah, but there’s a problem. I don’t think his mother ever told him about Graeme or me. I don’t feel like I should pick up the phone, deliver news like that, and change someone’s entire perspective on who they are. Do you?”

“That’s tricky, almost a no-win situation. Maybe you should take a wait-and-see attitude until it blows up in your face. Or I guess that would be your father’s face.”

“I don’t think my dad cares one way or the other.”

“He doesn’t want to meet his son.”

“Maybe if the situation presented itself, he would do it. But Graeme Sutter isn’t the type who takes the initiative. He doesn’t go out of his way to try and correct anything in his past. Whatever he did, he enjoyed every minute in the limelight. He’s hardly one to feel guilty about it.”

“He’s not the only one in this equation. Why didn’t the mother ever tell her son the truth?”

“There is that.”

They sat in silence again until the activity at the main house kicked up a notch. They watched as the forensic team, wearing white suits, stood out in contrast against the green hillside and carried out paper bags full of evidence.

The estate, bathed in a golden glow of sunshine, caused Lucien to squint as he watched the forensic team spread out further across the property. He let out a low whistle. “Looks like Theo’s leaving no stone unturned. They must be looking for the murder weapon that killed Sam.”

Birk nodded, his expression thoughtful. “This will likely take two days or more. I think it might be time to head home.”

But a flash of movement caught his eye near the edge of the pond as she rounded the pump house. Trish walked toward them, navigating through the rows of vines with purposeful strides, and then ascended the hilltop.

Lucien stood up, brushing off his pants before giving Trish a nod of acknowledgment. “How’s it going down there?”

Trish stopped in front of them, her hands resting on her hips. She took a moment to catch her breath before updating them on the latest. “Bethany’s handbag and several other personal items were in the car you found. We discovered Owen Quinn’ wallet, containing his driver’s license in an upstairs linen closet. The Acura RDX belonged to him. We don’t know who the Ford SUV belongs to. But whoever it is might be at the bottom of that pond near the pump house.”

“Wow,” Lucien said. “And the murder weapon that killed Sam?”

“Tucked away in a gun cabinet in Keith Shepherd’s closet. It’s like he didn’t even think anyone would ever suspect him of murder. This is all coming together because of what you guys did last night. I just wanted to say thanks for reaching out to Truthseeker22. Brilliant move, by the way. Because of you guys, I might have my sister’s killer locked up right this minute, which I never thought would ever happen. Not to mention the man who took the lives of so many other victims. I knew the guy was bad, a serial killer, because of the three women I suspected he murdered in 1999. But I had no idea his crimes extended beyondthat year. And now we know that Kenneth most likely aided Keith through the years.”

“This is a great opportunity to learn the truth about the murders from 1999 using the documents in Bethany’s storage unit,” Lucien pointed out.

“We’ll need everything she transported into that unit. A little while ago, I learned that most of those files went missing after Bethany did. We still have a lot of work to do making our case,” Trish explained. “But for the first time in years, I’m hopeful. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate what you’ve done here. All the families involved will know, too, when I tell them.”

“I’m glad it worked out,” Lucien said. “Let us know if there’s anything else you need.”

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