Page 59 of Dead in the Water

“What about Joseph Whittaker’s son? Have you heard any more from him?”

“I went through everything with him yesterday. As far as I know he was planning on sorting through his father’s things on the boat today. I wasn’t expecting to hear from him.” He tilted his head. “How’s Lily?”

“Fine,” he said distractedly. “Do you know much about boat ownership?”

“Can’t say it’s my area of expertise. Why?”

Flynn tapped on the arm of the chair. “Can you think of any reason it would have been advantageous for the other boat owners if Joseph sold his share?”

“You’ve lost me,” the sergeant said.

“Lily overheard one of them saying that Russell buying Joseph’s share would be good for the rest of them. But I can’t see why?”

He gave a slow shake of his head. “Assuming they all keep the same share of the boat, I can’t see why it would make any difference financially.”

“Me neither. It’s weird, isn’t it?”

The sergeant shrugged. “Maybe she overheard wrong.”

“Maybe.”

“Has she found anything else?”

Flynn scratched at his jaw. “Two of them are having an affair.”

“Who?”

“Kerry and Russell.”

“I really wish this kind of thing surprised me.” He sighed and his features turned serious. “Does Lily still think Mr Whittaker’s death wasn’t an accident?”

“She’s still looking into that theory. It doesn’t seem as though she’s found anything definitive.” He drummed his fingers again. “I thought I might nip down to the harbour and see if the son needs anything…”

Leaning back in his chair, the sergeant laced his fingers across his chest. “You know the drill – we don’t get involved in the personal side. We’ve done all the official stuff, now we step back and leave him to it.”

“It’s different over here,” Flynn argued. “There isn’t the same access to other support services, so our role is more flexible, right?”

The sergeant lifted an eyebrow. “You seem to only use that argument when it suits you.”

“I don’t see any harm in going down and asking how he’s doing, and if he has any further questions.”

“What’s your real motive?”

“It’s partly that,” Flynn argued.

“And the other part?”

“The other part is gathering more information in case Mr Whittaker’s death wasn’t an accident.” He leaned out of his seat. “I’ll be professional, and if he doesn’t want me around, I’ll leave immediately.”

After a long exhale, the sergeant gave a subtle nod. “Don’t ask inappropriate questions.”

“I told you I’ll be professional.” Flynn was out of his chair in an instant. He pretended not to notice his superior rolling his eyes as Flynn thanked him and rushed away.

Five minutes later, the wind whipped around him as he strode down the harbour steps and landed heavily on the jetty. A couple of fishermen stood beside a weather-beaten boat and tipped their chins in greeting as he passed. There was no one to be seen or heard onFaith, and no reply when Flynn called ‘hello’ as he stepped aboard.

Ducking his head, he followed the few steps below deck and called out again.

No reply.

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