Page 56 of One of Us Is Guilty

‘Whether they were or not, doesn’t matter much when you’re searching for a body ripped out to sea. The riptide doesn’t care about that, now does it?’

Bloch thought for a moment, said, ‘I take it you have a report from the coastguard about the search?’

‘Sure do.’

‘Can I look at that report?’

Landry hesitated.

Lake spoke for the first time. ‘If we saw that, it might go some way to confirm that everything possible was done to save Teresa. That kind of thing can be of comfort to some people who have lost those who were dear to them.’

‘Sure,’ said Landry, tearing the report out of the file.

It was a single page, recounting the report from the coastguard and their searches, including geographic coverage, an examination of the tides and theories of possible locations based on that. The first thing Bloch did was look for the name of the reporting officer – Winchester, Paul. Detective. And she scanned the rest of the document, but took her time. She had all she needed.

Handing the report back to Landry, she asked, ‘Is there anything else you think might be important?’

Landry held up the thin file, and said, ‘We don’t have much. It’s really a coastguard matter.’

‘Do you think it would be worthwhile talking to the lead officer on the case?’ she asked.

Landry coughed, leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desk.

‘He’s not with us. Not any more. He had some personal issues. Mental health, that kind of stuff. He took early medical retirement. He won’t be able to tell you anything more than I’ve told you. And, well, I feel sorry for the guy. This job takes a toll – you know that. I wouldn’t want him disturbed. Plus, the kind of meds he’s on – probably doesn’t remember his own name half the time, never mind anything else.’

Bloch took another drink of coffee, set the mug down and said, ‘Thank you for your help.’

Together, Lake and Bloch got up and he escorted them out of the building.

‘Sorry you had to come all this way for that. Good to meet you both,’ he said.

They all shook hands. Lake and Bloch walked silently to her car.

Once inside, the car doors closed, they watched as Landry stood in the lot, his hands in his pockets.

Neither of them said anything. They didn’t need to. Bloch fired the engine, and waved at Landry as they left. In the rearview, she watched him turn and head back inside.

Lake had his phone in his hand. Staring at the screen.

‘I’ve got a Paul Winchester in Sag Harbor.’

‘Give me the address,’ said Bloch, pointing to the navigation screen. Lake punched in the address. It was an hour away.

‘What did you think?’ he asked.

‘I think at least half that file is missing. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between incompetence and a cover-up.’

‘Landry isn’t incompetent. Did you see those pens in his shirt pocket?’ asked Lake.

Bloch had noticed them, but had given them no further thought. That’s not how her mind worked. She had a hard time reading people. She had a basic understanding that Landry had been cautious about what information he had given out, and didn’t want anyone poking around in their old case. But the same could be said for any number of cops. Nobody likes having their work judged in hindsight.

‘I saw the pens. So what?’ said Bloch.

‘His shirt was fresh on today, right out of the dry-cleaning wrap. He keeps those pens in his pocket to make notes, corrections, additions, all in different colors. His desk, his dress, his entire office was neat and orderly. He is a meticulous man. He’s not worriedabout anyone judging police work from his precinct. Plus, he stood in the lot, and he made sure we left. At least we know one thing about him.’

‘What’s that?’

‘We can’t trust a word he said. The police, at the very highest level, are covering something up for Patrick Vanderpool.’