Page 72 of Murder on the Boardwalk

None of those charges covered federal crimes like racketeering, violating the RICO Act, or insider trading. Those would come later from a federal prosecutor.

With Birk’s phone recording and so many witness statements—even with Russian-backed money and his mob connections—his lawyers couldn’t figure out how to convince the judge to let him out on bond.

Sitting behind the county prosecutor, Brogan watched the parade of defendants dressed in orange tops and pants face the judge. Next to her, Lucien squeezed her fingers in support when Dennis entered first. After pleading not guilty, his lawyers listened as the judge decided to keep him locked up and denied bond. Swagger gone, the deputies escorted an angry Dennis Marshall out of the room, only to have Richie appear right behind him. It all took less than ten minutes for the same outcome. Tazzie was the last to enter, her red hair clashing with the orange jumpsuit. She looked older than her sixty years. But she stood tall, rail-thin, with an attitude. Her public defender had to nudge her when the judge asked, “How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” Tazzie declared, her tone sharp and decisive.

Brogan couldn’t stop staring at the woman she’d first met, surrounded by flowers and a thriving vegetable garden. Tazzie must’ve felt her scowl because she turned around and glared back, aiming a one-finger salute in Brogan’s direction. As the deputies ushered her out, resentment emanated off Tazzie’s shoulders in waves that seemed to outmatch Dennis’s.

“Wow, that’s the real Tazzie I met a week ago. The one who barked at me for simply standing on the other side of her gate.”

“You said she didn’t exactly welcome you with open arms.”

“Yes, but everyone else told me she loved to talk. Lilly mentioned it, and so did Jordan. When I got there that day, she was like a bear. Why did she act that way with me?”

“Because you were working on a murder case. Remember? And she wasn’t in the mood to answer your questions.”

“Yeah, you’re right. She was hostile from the get-go.”

Anxious to get out of there, Lucien veered her toward the exit. “No bail buys us some time with the lab,” he whispered as the spectators spilled out into the hallway.

“Then we need to come at this with a brand-new perspective and think of a new approach. We need to find a way to connect them to Gidget. I say we go back and re-interview everyone, including and beginning with Lee Willis.”

“Zephyr? Why him? He has an airtight alibi.”

“Not as a suspect but as a witness. When Willis wasn’t working, the guy always hung out at the beach. He must’ve seen something. Even a loner doesn’t live on an island in the middle of town. He must have been aware of Dennis, Richie, and Tazzie. How could he not have seen other surfers, especially three annoying teenagers? I never bought that, Lucien.”

“Good point. Let’s go pay Zeph another visit.”

“Where are you guys headed?” Jade asked. “That was some hearing. I didn’t think the judge would ever stop reading the charges. But then, I didn’t expect Tazzie to give you the finger.”

“I hope every charge sticks,” Brogan uttered, her fingers flying up to her head wound where the pain had kept her awake the last two nights.

“You don’t worry about that,” Birk assured her. “I don’t see how she’ll get off.”

Brogan lifted a shoulder. “Don’t be so sure. Every day someone pleads to a lesser sentence on a lesser charge and gets time served. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if that happened down the road in this case. But I’m not going to worry about it today. Right now, we still need to solve Gidget’s murder.”

“We’re headed out to interview Zeph Willis again,” Lucien said and went into detail as to why.

“Mind if we tag along?” Birk asked as they walked outside and down the courthouse steps. “Maybe if we all four show up, this guy will be more inclined to answer questions.”

“Sure. But we need to convince Willis to talk about that summer. That includes anything he heard or saw that pertains to Dennis, Richie, or Tazzie interacting with Gidget. Follow us. You won’t believe the beautiful spot where he lives.”

“Wait a minute,” Jade said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. “I have a suggestion. Do you think Zephyr would talk more freely if it’s just between you guys?”

Brogan pivoted toward Lucien. “It wouldn’t hurt to try that approach. Maybe the three of you could bond over manly stuff like fishing, surfing, or building stuff.”

Amused, Lucien traded looks with Birk. “The last time I fished was probably ten years ago. You might have to bond on your own.”

“I could recount the days of living off the land for three months, eating nothing but nuts and squirrels. Or we could just talk about power tools.”

Brogan grinned at Jade. “Make fun all you want, but if you research this guy, maybe you’ll stumble onto something you have in common with him. He was in the Coast Guard. Talk about your love of sailing or something.”

Birk rocked back on his heels. “I own a boat. I could talk seamanship.”

“Hey, I once watched the movieMaster and Commanderwith Russell Crowe,” Lucien boasted. “I could talk about the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.”

“Very funny,” Brogan said. “I’m surprised you didn’t mention watchingJoe Versus the Volcano. That’s more your speed, bobbing up and down in the water on top of suitcases.”

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