Page 25 of Lost Cause
“Then after Sam adds the locket to her inventory, I’ll have her overnight it today.” She cocked her head. “Was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Yeah, Gabe. Do you want him to be involved in the investigation on a daily basis?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no problem. It’s just that I want to deputize you before we talk to Victor, and if Gabe will be working with us, he’ll need to be sworn in too, but I only brought credentials for you.” He took from his pocket a shiny brass shield he’d picked up for her. “Next time I go back to the office, I’ll grab one for him.”
She took the badge, an eyebrow raising. “So you want to do the swearing in right here?”
“I know it’s unconventional, but yes. It would be good if you were officially sworn in before this interview.”
“Makes sense.” She turned to the door. “We need you over here, Gabe.”
He jogged down to them and once he planted his tactical boots on the steps, Abby explained the situation. “When I mentioned being sworn in, you didn’t raise an objection, so I assume you’re good with it.”
“Good? Not sure that’s the word, but I’m okay with it.”
“Okay, then,” Burke said. “You’ll both have full powers of the job, but I hope you won’t take advantage of that.”
“Man,” Gabe said. “And here I was ready to declare my room at the inn an official crime scene so I didn’t have to clean up the mess.” He cracked a smile.
Abby rolled her eyes. “Your room is a disaster and looks like many crime scenes I’ve responded to, but the joke was pretty lame.”
Burke agreed with her, but he held out his hand for a fist bump. “Bonus points for creativity though.”
Gabe flashed him a surprised look, just the thing Burke was going for. Keep the other guy guessing, but also try to change the narrative after their less-than-stellar introduction.
Burke glanced at the top sheet on his clipboard. “I’ll make this quick. Raise your right hands, and I’ll read the oath of office. You repeat back to me. Then you’ll sign the official form, and we’ll be done.”
“And at that point we report to you.” Gabe’s piercing look cut through Burke.
“Yes,” he said, and moved right into reading the oath of office. Both of them took the oath and signed their names to their forms.
“That covers it.” Burke took the clipboard back. “Except don’t make me regret asking the sheriff to agree to this. Not that I think you’ll do anything to cause that to happen, but in the heat of an investigation, bad decisions can be made.”
He handed the shield to Abby and explained to Gabe why he didn’t have one for him.
“Don’t worry,” Gabe said. “I’ll wait to cry about it in the car later.” He ended with a playful grin.
Abby smiled back at him. “As you can see, Gabe is always good for some humor.”
The exact opposite of Burke. As much as he didn’t want to compare himself to this guy, Abby’s smiles directed at Gabe made him rethink his seriousness. Did this guy have a thing for her, the reason behind his treatment of Burke? He didn’t get such a vibe from either of them, and after years as a detective, he didn’t often misread interpersonal cues.
“Okay, let’s get this interview done.” Abby proceeded straight to the door and pounded on the aged wood with the side of her fist. The solid thumps echoed over the quiet island, competingonly with the ferry engine’s rumble as it pulled away from the dock.
Victor finally opened the door wearing the same dressing gown. His hair was tangled, and dark bags hung under his drooping eyes.
He looked like they’d woken him, and they would have to do some fancy talking to get him to let them in this early. But Burke was up for the challenge. They had to get inside to collect forensic evidence. Every room in this house could hold secrets, each one a potential key to unraveling the mystery.
Or if Estelle had indeed been murdered, they could even find a clue to locate her killer.
7
Abby entered the dining room and took a good look at the massive space. A dust-covered crystal chandelier hung over an equally dusty table with sixteen ornately carved chairs. She could easily imagine the room sparkling clean, the table set with fine china and silver, and formally dressed men and women arriving for dinner in the 1800s.
Gabe stood at the end of the table, watching the doorway.
“Anything of interest?” she asked him as Burke stepped in behind her.
