Page 23 of Lost Cause
“Whoever validates the certificate will know,” Jude said.
“We have no choice but to provide the details to some people. We’ll have to count on their discretion and limit the number of people we tell. I’ll get Victor’s permission to share it with the expert and if you have to share it in the future, be sure you talk to me first.” She stifled a yawn. “That’s all I have for now. I’m sure my morning meeting with Victor and Detective Ulrich will bring up additional action items.”
“Keep us updated,” Nolan said. “And if you need us there, just let us know.”
“I don’t think that’s likely,” she said, instantly regretting it.
They couldn’t predict when one of their investigations took a completely different turn, pitting them against a life-threatening emergency.
6
Burke eased his friend’s boat through choppy waves to the Ravenhook Island dock and checked his watch—precisely six-ten a.m. On the other side of the long pier, the ferry’s mooring lines strained as the large vessel bobbed in the water.
He secured the last knot for the boat, then satisfied it wasn’t going anywhere, he scanned the mansion’s stairs.
What? Why in the world was Abby here so early when they were meeting at eight?
Not only here on the island, but she’d slipped under the crime scene tape deep in conversation with two people he didn’t recognize. She wore a razor-sharp business suit and combed her windblown hair back with her fingers.
An aqua blue cooler sat at her feet, and in front of them, a pair of hand trucks held stacks of large plastic storage bins. A tall blonde stood behind one stack, her hair catching the breeze as if she were filming a shampoo commercial. The guy next to Abby looked like he’d been dragged off a football field—broad shoulders, cargo pants, and a T-shirt that read:Off Duty. Try Not to Ruin It.Judging by his scowl, he meant every word.
Had she arrived early in hopes of one-upping him? Sure, she claimed not to be that kind of person, but was she really? He’d stupidly hoped she wasn’t. Trusted in her words. Trusted her as a former law enforcement officer.
Surprise. He’d fallen victim to another woman’s distrustful actions.
But the biggest surprise? The ache in his gut over being attracted to a woman who wasn’t who he thought she was. Just like Tiffany, though the stakes were much lower here. But what if Abby hadn’t shown her true colors yet, and he’d ended up getting involved with her?
Foolish. Just foolish thoughts. Keep your mind on the job.
He grabbed his clipboard from the boat and set off at a rapid pace, but the soles of his slick dress shoes slipped. He slowed to keep his feet out of the standing water and to avoid face-planting on the wet dock. He should’ve dressed casually today, but he always wore suits to work. Some might say he was rigid. At worst, he believed he was predictable.
Once on solid ground, he stormed ahead, trying to release his anger at her with every step, but it grew instead.
Abby looked his way, then leaned in and whispered something to the brawny guy next to her. Eyes the color of cold ice gave Burke the once-over—head to toe—sizing him up. He clearly wasn’t impressed.
Burke stopped in front of Deputy Ewing, whose shift had been extended due to a lack of resources, and now recorded the names of all crime scene visitors. “I gave you strict orders last night. No one was allowed on scene without my permission.”
Even more color drained from his already pasty face. “They said they were working with you.” His words seemed to barely make it past a closing throat.
At the young guy’s strangled reply, Burke almost felt bad about taking him to task, especially when he’d worked most ofthe night and had to be tired. But Ewing had a promising future.Ifhe learned to follow directions at all times. If he didn’t, it could cost him his life or the lives of others. At crime scenes, if he didn’t keep out potential contamination, the case could get thrown out of court and a murderer set free.
“Iamworking with them.” Burke kept his gaze pinned to the young man. “But I particularly mentioned Day and her team weren’t allowed on site.”
“Yes, sir.” Ewing ringed his finger around his collar. “I won’t make the same mistake again.”
“See that you don’t. We don’t want dangerous criminals escaping prosecution because we didn’t properly manage a crime scene.”
Ewing bobbed his head and lifted up the fluttering yellow tape, probably hoping Burke was done reading him the riot act and would leave him alone.
But Burke wanted to drive this important lesson home. “The housekeeper, Sylvia Bass, and the estate manager, Ugo Morell, will be arriving this afternoon. I want to be notified the moment they get here, and you arenotto let them inside the perimeter. And be sure to check with me before allowing access to anyone else who shows up while you’re on duty.”
“Yes, sir.” Ewing lifted the scene barrier higher.
Burke dipped under the tape and turned his focus to Abby and her team. He didn’t want to call another person out, but he had to set standards at the beginning of their work relationship.
Preparing himself for an argument, he took the stairs two at a time to the landing at the base of the crumbling stairs. “After you pulled this little stunt, I have half a mind to cancel our partnership.”
“Hey now.” The chiseled guy at her side raised his hands and stepped forward. “I need you to back off.”
