Page 58 of Death at the Deep Dive

“It looks more half-and-half to me. You can’t pretend that you don’t end up in the center of these investigations with suspicious frequency.”

“I think it’s because I’m an outsider. I see things from a different perspective.”

“Jack’s an outsider too, but he’s not tripping over cold cases left and right.”

“Jack’s busy solving—and preventing—current crimes. Nobody’s inviting the chief of police to stroll through their family secrets or…or whatever.”

Sue made a noncommittal noise and sipped her coffee. “Jack said you’re a catalyst.”

“When did he say that?”

“Last June. After Brandon Abbott. He asked me to lay off you. That you weren’t any more of a suspect than anyone else. Which waspatentlyuntrue.”

Surprise held Ellery silent. Sue was referring to the painful interval when Jack had decided against pursuing a relationship with him. Not only that, but as far as Ellery could tell, Jackhadconsidered him the prime suspect in Brandon’s death. It was unexpectedly comforting to know that behind the scenes, Jack had tried to intercede on his behalf.

“I notice you didn’t listen to him.”

Sue’s smile was sour. “No. It was the worst move he could have made.”

Ellery said nothing. Sue’s thinly—and not so thinly—veiled accusations in theScuttlebutt Weeklyhad been extremely painful. She had done her best to ruin both him and his business. He had insight into why her attacks had become so personal, but it was still not easy to forgive.

As if reading his mind, Sue said, “You know, I spend all my time searching for interesting crime stories to cover. Meanwhile, you’re stumbling into cold cases left and right. Peoplebringtheir mysteries to you. The one time I actually uncover…” She gave a little gulp and stared out at the water.

Yeah, he did sympathize with her there. That would have been awful, and it was a good reminder of the trouble sleuthing could lead you into.

Ellery cleared his throat, which seemed to snap Sue out of her grim thoughts.

“Also, for the record, I think Jack could have been a bit more forthcoming about…what he was looking for. I don’t think he deliberately misled anyone, but.” She clamped her lips on the rest of it.

“I don’t think he waslookingfor anything,” Ellery said honestly.

“Oh please. Within the space of eight months, the two of you are practically living together.”

Close but no cigar.Ellery kept that thought to himself.

Sue said briskly, “Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. What I wanted to say was, I’m sorry if I was unduly…suspicious of you and that I published my suspicions as they occurred rather than waiting for corroboration.”

“Okay,” he said cautiously. “I accept your apology. Thank you.”

“Moving forward, I think we could be of help to each other. I mean, it’s kind of ridiculous that you’ve got poor little Mr. Peabody skulking around the newspaper archives instead of just telling me what you need.”

Ellery opened his mouth, but she headed him off. “I have access to information you don’t. I have resources you don’t. And, much as I hate to admit it, vice versa. What I’m suggesting is if you help me, I’ll help you.”

Ellery’s suspicions flooded back. “Help you how?”

“If, at the end of your investigation into Vernon Shandy’s disappearance, you promise to give me your side of the story, whatever that story turns out to be, I’ll wait to publish anything about what you’re up to.” Her gaze held his. “For example, I won’t print Frances Crane’s opinion of you sneaking in to see Joey Franklin at Sunset Shores. I won’t, for example, speculate publicly as to why you might have wanted to talk to her.”

“If you did, it would be pretty irresponsible.”

Sue raised her shoulders in a that’s-what-you-say. “And, as a show of good faith, I can confirm for you that Joeywashaving an affair with Vernon.”

“That’s not news.”

“And that her husband knew about it.”

“I figured that out already.”

“And that Joey wasinsanelyjealous of your aunt Eudora.”

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