Page 60 of Murder in Calusa Cove
He hesitated. “Yeah. Other side of the bend right about sunrise.”
“And you didn’t notice a blood-soaked shirt and a ring get dragged into your bag?” Fletcher asked, crossing his arms.
Trent rubbed the back of his neck. “Wasn’t looking for clothes. I was chasing a paycheck.”
Dewey, who’d been silent, stepped forward, his voice suddenly thick with frustration. “While the rest of us are out here trying to protect this land, you’re out here using it like a damn dump site and black market.”
Trent’s spine stiffened. “Don’t talk to me about protecting the land. You don’t know what I see out here.”
“I see what you’re doing,” Dewey snapped. “This town’s got enough problems without you making it worse.”
Chloe raised a hand, cutting between them. “We’re bagging the evidence. And we’re going to check the area he mentioned. Plus, now we need to get Remy and Buddy out.” She pointed her finger at Trent. “You’re being detained.”
“You don’t have the power to do that.” Trent glared.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Fletcher said, cell pressed to his ear. “Remy’s thirty minutes away. Buddy’s racing to the docks, and unfortunately, Dawson’s with him.”
“Audra must be steaming mad.” Chloe sighed.
“Doubtful.” Hayes inched closer, squeezing her forearm. “She probably drop-kicked him out the door. She knows this case has gotten to him, and she wouldn’t want him pacing the floors, making her nuts.”
“Audra’s a unique human.” Chole took a long, slow breath as she scanned the area. This was a great dumping ground. Very few people came this far back, so a killer wouldn’t have to worry about someone watching. Her body shivered as her gaze hit the damn dead snake. God, she hated snakes. And that was the other element. Two big creatures could destroy all the evidence.
Snakes and alligators.
Additionally, there were other factors that would complicate the search for a body.
“Yeah, she’s unique, but so are you,” Hayes whispered.
Fletcher shoved his phone toward Chloe, his jaw tight. “Remy wants to talk to you.”
Chloe took it, pressing it to her ear as she stepped a few paces away. “What’s going on?”
Remy didn’t waste time. “Stacey just lit the match and tossed it into the gas can.”
Chloe’s stomach dropped. She shifted her gaze toward Hayes, who stood with Fletcher and Dewey, staring at his cell, anger flaring from his normally cool eyes. “What did she say?”
“She opened her morning segment with a ‘breaking exclusive.’ Claimed Dawson brought in Cole Delaney yesterday for questioning and then let him go. Called it—her words, not mine—a reckless failure to detain a known danger. She practically accused him of setting a killer loose.”
Chloe closed her eyes. “Of course, she did.”
“She didn’t stop there,” Remy continued. “She claimed the only reason the FBI responded so quickly to the Crab Shack body was because you all knew it was the work of a serial killer. That the missing ring fingers connect several cases across the state, and the department—and the Bureau—is hiding it from the public.”
“Damn it.” Chloe rubbed her temple. “How the hell does she even know about the ring fingers?”
“That’s not the worst part.”
Chloe’s hand stilled. “Remy?”
“She named you, Chloe. Said you’re on leave from the FBI but still working the case. She said you’re emotionally compromised because your sister, Heather, is one of the victims.”
Silence expanded between them for a beat before Chloe found her voice. “So now it’s personal and public, and I’m so screwed. So is Buddy.”
“Stacey’s painting it like Dawson’s running a boys’ club operation, protecting his buddies, and that you’re using your badge to settle a vendetta.”
“That last part isn’t entirely false.” Chloe’s grip tightened around the phone. “Did she use my married name or my maiden name?”
“Both. Even mentioned the college campus you and Heather went to. She made it sound like the Bureau’s letting you play vigilante.”
