“There were some cult-related murders here about five years ago. Do you remember?”
“Vaguely—someone confessed but killed himself while in holding. There was speculation at the time that the man who confessed hadn’t really done the killing, but as far as I recall, no more bodies were ever found.”
“Well, a new one’s been found now.”
Ashley frowned. “There was a cult leader who was a suspect, but nothing could be proven against him. He went to prison for something, though, right?”
“Yeah, and he’s still there. Anyway, Jake is going to be taking a lot of heat right now. That’s why he’s so grouchy.”
“We all take heat. That doesn’t mean we have to be miserable to others,” she said.
Curtis suddenly gave his head a little shake, staring at her hard. Puzzled, she turned. Jake Dilessio was standing behind her.
“Came in for the coffee myself,” he told her.
“Sorry.”
“The service at Nick’s is usually pretty good.”
“How are you doing, Jake?” Curtis broke in.
“Hey, Curtis. Fine, thanks.”
“Heard you took a slip here at the marina.”
“Moved her in this weekend. Guess I could head back down to my own boat for coffee,” he said wryly.
Ashley picked up the coffeepot, grabbed a cup from the shelf on the wall and quickly filled it.
“Sorry, it’s my fault your coffee was held up,” Curtis said. “I was just asking Ashley about the academy.”
“I’m sure Miss Montague is just zipping right along,” Jake said dryly. “She’s so quick.”
“Why don’t I just get you a carafe of coffee and bring it out there, and then you can have a refill any time you want? And when you’re done, you don’t have to wait for the check—Nick wanted your meal to be on the house, a ‘welcome to the marina’ gesture,” she said pleasantly, going for a carafe.
“Nick already gave me a welcoming meal, and I always pay my way,” Dilessio told her. “And I like my coffee poured hot.” He turned away from her. “Curtis, how are Sandra and Chris?”
“Doing great, thanks. They’re up visiting her mom in Delray. Means I’m eating at Nick’s for the next few days.”
“Not a bad substitute, though Sandra makes a mean lasagna,” Jake said. Taking his coffee cup, he started back out. Ashley noted that he hadn’t let his files lie alone when he came in; the manila folder was tucked beneath his arm.
Curtis must have noticed the way Ashley watched him as he left. “Hey, the guy is really all right. You two just got off on the wrong foot.”
“And it might be a good thing to have a big, bad detective living so near the place,” said an amused, feminine voice.
Ashley spun around. Sharon Dupre was standing next to her, looking together and elegant, as usual. She was in a tailored navy suit, pumps and a soft blue blouse. Her eyes were twinkling as she watched Ashley.
“Mmm, it’s just terrific,” Ashley agreed. “Will you refill his coffee and bring him his check?”
“You bet. In fact, you ought to sit down and eat, young lady. I’ve heard all about the ‘roach coach’ where you guys have lunch.”
“But you worked all day.”
“I only showed one house.”
“Sharon, Nick’s a little busy, short some help. Do you mind helping out tonight? I was thinking that, even if Stuart Fresia is in intensive care and not allowed to have visitors, I’d like to take a run by the hospital, maybe see his family.”
“Fresia…? Why do I know that name?” Curtis asked.
Ashley explained about the accident, how she had driven by right after a man had been struck, and then came home to find out that the victim was an old friend. She went on to tell him just how unbelievable it seemed that he could have gotten so heavily into drugs.
“People change. And drugs are seductive,” Curtis said, and she nodded, having heard the same basic response over and over.
“Right. But not Stuart. Anyway, I’d really like to at least see for myself how he’s doing.”
Sharon looked concerned. “Ashley, you’re still in the academy. Should you be getting involved?”
Nick had come over to the end of the bar. “She’s just going out to see a friend, Sharon. That doesn’t mean she’s going to try to wrest the case from the investigating officer. I think it’s a great idea. But first, sit down and eat, Ashley, take a breather, before you head on over to the hospital. The snapper’s so fresh it’s still snapping,” he teased.
“Sit, Ash, tell me all about life,” Curtis said, patting the bar stool at his side.
She sat. Nick poured her a soda, while Sharon went off to tell Herve, the cook, that they needed a snapper plate.
“You could tell me more about your friend,” Curtis said.
Twirling her straw, Ashley shrugged. “Smart, solid, down to earth.”
“Were you a twosome in high school?”