Page 47 of Death at the Deep Dive

Ellery nodded tightly. He wasn’t mad at Jack. He was mad at the situation. He put Watson down, snapped his leash to his collar, and turned away.

Jack called, “Ellery?”

Ellery turned back.

“I’m sorry our day together turned out like this.”

Ellery summoned a smile. “Not your fault.”

“I’ll meet you up there as soon as I can.”

Ellery nodded again and started the walk back to Jack’s SUV.

That was the end of Ellery’s weekend, of course.

Granted, it was the end of Tackle’s weekend too.

When the crime-scene team finally arrived, Jack returned to the SUV and told Ellery Officer Martin would drive him back to Captain’s Seat.

Ellery tried to read Jack’s face. “Do you know anything yet?”

Jack sighed. “I know it’s going to be a long night. I’ll give you a call this evening.”

“If it’s okay, could Martin drop me off at the Crow’s Nest? I think I’d rather work than sit around wondering what’s going on.”

“Are you sure?”

Ellery nodded. “I’ll ask Nora or Kingston to give me a ride home.”

“Okay.” Jack gave him a quick kiss. “Be good.”

Ellery’s brows drew together. “I’m not sure what that means.”

“Believe me, I’ve noticed.” But Jack was clearly teasing, and Ellery smiled feebly. Jack ruffled Watson’s ears and headed back to his crime scene.

“We didn’t expect to see you today, dearie,” Nora greeted Ellery when he arrived at the Crow’s Nest around four o’clock. She sounded ever so slightly guilty, and no wonder. The entire Silver Sleuths book club seemed to be in residence. However, since they were the only people in the store, it seemed pointless to object.

Kingston said, “We’ve heard the news. How are you, my boy?”

Mrs. Nelson said, “What aterribleexperience for you!”

Which Mr. Starling waved off, saying, “He’s used to it by now.”

“Not really,” Ellery said, stung. Jack’s words about the possible suspicions of his PICO PD coworkers troubled him. Yes, from their perspective, he probably did have an unusually high rate of involvement in homicides—fromhisperspective too!

“Live by the sword, die by the sword,” Mrs. Ferris said. “Tackle Shandy was no stranger to violence.”

“Yes, dear, but he was a salvage diver,” Nora said. “I don’t suppose swords figured into it?” She looked inquiringly at Ellery.

“It looks like he was hit by a car. He was lying in the middle of the road.”

“A hit and run!” Mrs. Clarence exclaimed. “I didn’t see that coming!”

“Neither did Tackle,” Mr. Starling retorted.

“Where?” Kingston asked.

It took Ellery a moment to understand the question. “The old road leading from where the Royale hotel used to be. Jack and I were hiking on the other side of the harbor when we found him.”

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