Page 10 of Off the Hook

“I know her skull connected with something hard, and she inhaled water,” he replied. “I can’t say if the strike was intentional or accidental at this time. Or if it was a strike at all, or the result of impact of a fall. Go over the scene again, bring me more samples if you find them. Everything I collected from the body is already running. I should be able to tell you more when the results all come back.”

“Thanks Doc, you’re the best.”

“Don’t you forget it. You owe me a pastelito,” he grumbled, a hint of a smile in his tone.

“You’re first on the list. I promise.” I set the phone in the cradle and leaned back, the springs beneath the worn leather creaking. I began rereading the reports, going over my notes from the medical examiner.What did Kylie hit her head on?

“Hey, Detective Pierce?” Sheriff Bennett stuck his head out his office door.

“Yes?” I quickly sat up straight, tucking a few stray hairs behind my ear, trying to look composed.

“Detective Ramirez called, he’s on his way back. So be prepared to loop him in as soon as he gets here.”

“Oh, I thought he wasn’t coming back until after the symposium in Tallahassee,” I said, my voice betraying me with a hint of surprise and frustration.

“I called him in, we need all the help we can get. He’ll be here by end of shift.”

Of course the sheriff called in Ramirez. I couldn’t possibly be trusted to work a case on my own. No matter how hard I worked, it was never enough. I wasn’t a penis-carrying member of the Smuggler’s Cove Boys’ Club. My lips pressed together to stop me from saying what I was thinking as I shuffled papers into a folder.

“Sure thing. I’ll catch him up this afternoon,” I said through my best fake smile, pushing back from the desk. Grumbling under my breath, I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair and my gun and badge from the top drawer of my desk. I needed to get back to the scene. I didn’t have much time before Ramirez stuck his nose in and took credit for whatever I found.It’s the day after Christmas, godammit! The Sheriff isn’t even supposed to be here!Then again, I was supposed to be off too, if this case hadn’t come up.

The sun beat down on the coral pea gravel beneath my feet as I walked to my car, the heat already scorching despite it being December. My skin grew clammy, and I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead. Opening the door of my Charger felt like stepping into an oven, the heat blasting out at me.

Driving down US1 to Venetian Shores again, I replayed the interview with Coulter in my mind. Cute enough guy, my age. He seemed genuinely upset, and rightfully pissed off for being dragged in for questioning on Christmas. But I’d seen nicer guys kill for less than an ex getting engaged.

“Whatever, he’s an ass,” I told myself as I drove. Him walking out of the station with a “Merry Fucking Christmas!” was the cherry on top.

It’d suit me just fine if I never had to see him again.

CHAPTER 6

COULTER

My head pounded as the morning sun snuck in through the tiny crack between the curtains, perfectly aligned with my face. I looked around the room, taking a moment to get my bearings. Right, I’d spent the night at Dad’s house.

“Damn you and your red wine, Ava.” I grumbled, rubbing my temple. My sister kept our glasses full last night, probably to keep our minds off all the loss. The first Christmas without mom, and the shock of Kylie’s death—it still didn’t seem real. Nine months since Mom passed, and it felt like she might walk through the door at any second. But when Kylie turned up dead, our grief shifted.

The eerie parallels between the two deaths rattled my hungover brain. How could two women who were as comfortable on the water as they were on land, drown? In Mom’s case, the coroner said she’d likely had a heart attack. That was hard to believe, as strong and healthy as she was. But Kylie was young and fit and could hop onto a boat on one leg. No way she fell in.

That detective yesterday was so intent on grilling me, it felt like a pointed attack; there must have been something suspicious at the scene–something she was trying to pin on me.Did they think Kylie was murdered?I roused myself out of bed and threw on a pair of shorts and T-shirt, grabbing my flip flops on my way out to the kitchen.

Dad seemed far more chipper than I felt as he poured a cup of coffee for Kai, shooting me a smile. “Good thing your charter today canceled. You look like shit.”

“Thanks. I wouldn’t have drunk so much if they weren’t snowed in, in Detroit. You know I don’t get shitfaced before a charter.” I gave my father a serious look.

“I know, son, just riling you up.”

Kai chimed in, shuffling across the tile floor in socked feet. “Yeah, Coulter wouldnevershow up to work with a hangover.” He reached for the coffee mug Dad had filled.

I smirked, snatching the mug before Kai could. “How’d that couch treat you last night?” He’d drawn the short straw against Reef and opted for the sofa over the top bunk in their old room.

Kai glared at me sipping my coffee while Dad poured him another one. “Better than trying to climb that ladder drunk as a skunk.”

“I’m guessing it wouldn’t be the first time.” Dad chuckled, handing him a mug.

“Yeah, well when I was teenager the couch wasn’t an option. You or Mom would’ve beat my ass if you thought I was drunk. Now, I’m allowed,” Kai argued.

Dad sighed, shaking his head. “After the day we had yesterday, we are all allowed.” He pulled an iron skillet out of the drawer under the oven. “Some nice greasy bacon and eggs will help.”

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