Page 4 of Off the Hook

“They have detectives in Arizona too, you know?” she answered coyly.

I let out a chuckle. “We both needed to get out of Miami. I’m glad you’re happy out there. I’m happy here, too.”

My mother moving was the impetus I needed to follow my dreams. Small town island life wasn’t all I’d dreamed it would be–yet. I still had hope I’d someday fit in. But Smugglers Cove was beyond tight-knit.

“Don’t you get bored down there? It’s so sleepy.”

She worried herself sick when I was a beat cop in Miami, after losing my dad in the line of duty when I was three. You’d think that she’d be happy I’d opted for small town life in the Keys. I chuckled to myself. “I like sleepy, mom. But I’m actually working a case today. I’m on my way into the station now, in fact.”

“On Christmas. Oh, Faith. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, mom. I love my job.” I smiled as I turned into the station. “Go enjoy your Christmas with Rick. I gotta run.”

The pile of work was waiting for me when I made it to my desk. I pushed a teetering stack of papers to the side, making enough room to set down my coffee. I’d just settled into my chair when my Louis approached. He was the only officer that treated me with thesame respect that the Sheriff did. His goofy smile was endearing. “Merry Christmas, Detective.”

“Merry Christmas to you, Louis. I guess you drew the short straw, too. Skeleton crew working Christmas.”

“Holiday pay, and it’s just another day when you don’t have family around,” he said with a shrug.

“Yes it is.” I knew his parents sold their bungalow in paradise and bought a four bedroom house on a golf course in a Central Florida retirement community a couple of years back. “Good thing we like our jobs.”

“Honestly, I like my job more than I like family holidays,” Louis admitted with a chuckle.

“I might have to agree,” I fibbed. “Hey Louis, what are the chances I’ll get the coroner’s report on Christmas Day?”

“Somewhere between zero and zero,” Louis said with a dubious frown.

“Thought so.” I reached for the Ziploc bag full of rice beside the stack of paperwork and carefully removed the victim’s phone. “I hope this worked.”

“Did you rinse it with freshwater and dry the ports out with a hairdryer before you put it in the rice?” he asked.

“Yes I did,” I grinned.

“Then the chances are less terrible.”

I held my breath and pushed the power button on the side of the phone. My heart skipped a beat when the screen lit up. “Yes!”

“Good, now you’ve got something to investigate while you wait for the coroner’s report.” He patted my desk. “Have fun.”

“Thanks,” I called after him as he walked away. My excitement was short lived though as I stared at the keypad underneath the blank spaces for the six digit passcode. I rifled through the papers and pulled out the copy of Kylie’s driver’s license I’d printed last night.Please let it be her birthday.I typed in 112195. No luck. If anyone might know her passcode, it was probably her mother. I needed to speak to her anyway to see if she had any insight to Kylie’s Christmas Eve plans.

Kylie’s mother, Doreen Anderson, was listed as her emergency contact with the DMV. I shuffled papers to find that printout and grabbed the handset at my desk, taking a deep breath as I dialed. At least the Sheriff had already done the worst part and notified her last night. But I still dreaded the call.

Guilt filled me that I’d just spoken to my own mother a few minutes earlier. Kylie’s mom would never get to do that with her daughter again.

“Mrs. Anderson, this is Detective Pierce with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. I am calling regarding your daughter, Kylie. I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Detective. I appreciate your condolences.” Her voice was surprisingly composed. Sometimes shock does that to people.

“Of course,” I said in a soft tone. “Do you have a few minutes? I’d like to get some information about Kylie.”

“Yes, I have time. We’re just packing things up to start the drive back.”

“Sheriff Bennett mentioned that you were in Texas?”

“Yeah, my husband's parents live here. I was going to fly back first thing this morning but Waylan talked me out of it. Said I should stay and have my Christmas with Ed. Not that there’s anything to celebrate now. Do you think I should fly back today?”

Her question caught me off guard. “Oh, well, honestly, there’s no reason for you to return immediately. What’s most important is that you have the support you need.”

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