Halfway through the run, thoughts of Kacey and Austin walking the beach rolling through my mind, I realized my plan hadn’t been the best. In fact, there was still yellow crime scene tape where they’d found Kacey’s body. I stopped at the large rock that typically served as my turning-around spot and stared at the section of sand marked off with four sticks with the yellow barrier wrapped around the area. All I could see was sand and a few seashells that would disappear as soon as either the tide came in again or the beachcombers found the more perfect ones. Nothing was left of the vibrant woman whom I had begun to like, even though she was the reason Sadie’s heart was broken.
Well, not quite true. Austin was the reason for Sadie’s heartbreak. He was the one who’d led her on while planning on reconciling with Kacey. Greg needed to question that pile of crap, not my hurting friend.
Emma growled, low in her throat. I reached down to settle her and scanned the area behind me. A man was walking toward us. He saw me watching and waved.
“Hey, hold on,” he called as his walk became a jog. Emma growled louder.
I motioned her to sit and put my hand on her collar, just in case. I’d hate to have her bite an unsuspecting tourist, but if the guy had bad intentions, I had Emma and a tube of pepper spray in a pocket of my running shorts. I slipped my other hand into the pocket, just in case.
“Hey, remember me?” the man called again and as he got closer, I realized he was one of the geocachers we’d met on Sunday. Tim, Ted, Taylor—Taylor, that was it.
“Mr. Vice President, right?” I was sure that had been his title. “Are you setting up a new hidey-hole?”
His lips pressed together for a slight second. If I hadn’t been looking right at him, I would have missed it. “Now, you know I can’t release information about possible geocache sites.” He stepped closer and nodded to Emma. “Beautiful retriever. Is she papered? I have a friend who has a stud a few towns over.”
“Emma’s not old enough to breed.” I rubbed one of her ears, and she scooted closer to my leg, all the while keeping an eye on Taylor. “I’m not sure if I want her to have babies at all.”
“You’re missing out. Raising dogs is a gold mine. My buddy lives off the money he makes. Of course, he’s got several bitches.” Taylor reached toward Emma. “She’d be a fine breeder.”
Emma growled deep in her throat, and Taylor jerked his hand back.
“Sorry, I’ve never seen her react this way to anyone.” I put my hand on Emma’s head, trying to comfort her while I kept a tight hold on her leash. She didn’t like Taylor, not one bit.
He stepped back two big steps and held up his hands in surrender. “I get it. She’s protective and that’s a good thing. You never know what can happen to a woman all alone on a stretch of beach like this.”
A chill went down my spine as I thought about Kacey and her solitary walk. I pointed to the crime scene tape. “You’re right about that. One of our newest town residents was killed right there.”
He studied the area where I’d pointed. “No. Seriously? That’s awful.” He glanced at his watch and whistled. “I didn’t realize it was this late. I’m supposed to be picking my date up in thirty minutes and I’m an hour away from her house. I hope she doesn’t mind waiting.”
I watched Taylor sprint toward the beach parking lot and then looked at the crime scene one more time. Kacey hadn’t deserved this. Turning and picking up my stride to finish my run, a thought stopped me in my tracks. I glanced at the lot, but the sound of an engine confirmed Taylor’s exit. He’d known Kacey. She was the reason he was never elected president of that club. And now she was gone. I wondered if the coincidence had occurred to Greg. At least there was one person besides Sadie who wasn’t upset that Kacey was out of the picture.
I ran the rest of the way, chewing on that thought. Taylor at least had a reason for wanting Kacey gone. But was that strong enough to want her dead? I could just hear Greg now if I tried to tell him.
“Stay out of the investigation, Jill.” I lowered my voice and Emma turned her head, questioning my baritone. It was not the best impression in the world.
When I got home, I went to my office and got a new notebook. I opened it to the first page and wrote two words: “Kacey Austin.” My murder investigation book had begun, and I sat at my desk, filling in the pieces I knew and listing off the questions I had. The questions page was bigger.
Greg isn’t going to like this. I closed the notebook and put it in the top shelf of the desk. Turning to close the door, I stopped and looked at my reflection in a mirror I’d hung on the office wall. “He doesn’t have to know.”
I heard my good side chuckling as I left the office.
CHAPTER 5
When Greg was on a case, I typically didn’t see him for days at a time. When I heard a knock on my door, I closed the travel log I’d been reading and checked the time on the banister clock. Almost nine. Peeking out the window, I saw Greg’s truck in the drive so I opened the door. He leaned against the door frame, all Cary Grant and Matt Dillon rolled into one. I couldn’t help myself. I sighed.
He chuckled and opened the screen, letting himself in, and then pulled me into a hug. “Glad to know I still have some effect over you.” I felt his breath in my hair and he squeezed just a little tighter. “This was just what I needed after today.”