Page 40 of Death at the Deep Dive

Andthatwas the scariest thing that had happened all day.

It felt too chilly and damp to barbecue, so Ellery decide to pan-fry the steaks.

He and Jack carried in the groceries, and while Jack went to get something out of his SUV, Ellery poured a glass of wine and fed Watson, who seemed back to his normal cheery little self.

Jack returned carrying a manila folder, which he handed to Ellery.

“In lieu of a bottle of wine, I brought you this. Just…it’s for your eyes only. You can share the information, such as it is, but not the file itself. Understand?”

“Yes.” Ellery took the folder. “What is this?”

“Vernon Shandy’s case file.”

Ellery’s jaw dropped. “Are you allowed to do that?”

Jack gave a half-laugh. “I’m glad that’s a consideration for you. Yes. This isn’t the original file. I’m sharing a copy with you because the Shandy family wants someone to take another look at the case and you’re their designated representative. I’m extending you the same courtesy I would any investigator working at the behest of the victim’s family.”

Ellery was only partly joking when he said, “That feels like a whole lot of pressure.”

“Good. It should. This is serious stuff.” Jack’s smile was wry. “Also, I read through the case notes while I was trying to decide whether to let you have the file, and having a fresh pair of eyes to go over everything isn’t a bad idea.”

Ellery opened the file, glanced over the single printed page and a handful of loose notes. “What everything? Is this it?”

“That’s it. The missing person’s report Vera filed after Vernon disappeared, and the handwritten notes of an unnamed detective made, apparently, while chatting on the phone.”

“It’s not much.”

Jack’s sigh was weary. “No. It sure isn’t. It looks like Vera was right about one thing. No one took her concerns seriously.”

“Do you think there was any kind of follow-up beyond a couple of phone calls?”

“It doesn’t look like it.”

By now, Ellery knew Jack well enough to read the disgust and disapproval in his eyes. If there was one thing Jack hated, it was sloppy police work.

“Was it because Vernon was a Shandy? Or did they just assume he’d be back in a few days?”

“Probably a combination of things. If you look at the date, Vernon is supposed to have gone missing the night of the Fourth of July. The island would have been packed with people partying. The department would already have been strained to capacity over what would have ended up being a long holiday weekend. Vernon was in the navy, a grown man known to be more than capable of taking care of himself. I think the tendency, even today, would be to give it some time, see if he showed up over the next few days.”

“I can see that.”

“The situation would be further complicated by the fact that he was due back at Naval Station Newport on that following Tuesday. It wasn’t unreasonable to think he might have left early and not bothered to tell anyone.”

“But he never returned to base.”

“No.”

“Who takes jurisdiction in that situation? The military police?” Ellery asked.

“If enlisted personnel go missing off installation, usually military and civilian law enforcement try to coordinate. In this case, it looks like PICO PD left it up to the navy, and the navy drew their own conclusions.”

Ellery gazed down at those brief, scribbled notations on faded paper. “It must have been pretty awful for Vernon’s family.”

Jack nodded. “Yes.”

While Ellery preheated the oven for the twice-baked potatoes and drizzled oil over a frying pan, Jack poured himself a short Scotch.

That was unusual. Jack rarely drank spirits. He preferred beer and occasionally wine, though Ellery knew he did enjoy Scotch. Ellery’s bottle of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Old had barely been touched during the months he and Jack had been dating.

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