Page 84 of Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds

“Yep.”

“What time?”

He shrugged again. “Don’t know. Sunset? My ma was pissed ’cause I got in after dark. I ain’t supposed to be on the water at night. But two hundred fifty bucks? Sheee-it. It was worth the whoppin’ I got.”

“And you took her to the dock?”

He hesitated.

“Crusty, this is important. Did you take her to the main dock, or did you leave her somewhere else? Maybe meet up with another boat?”

He was looking at my small purse slung crossways over my body.

“No more money,” I snapped. “Do you want me to tell the police about a kid named Crusty who scams tourists?”

He frowned, but Jorge laughed. “She’s cool, Crusty.”

“Please tell me,” I said firmly.

Crusty sighed. “She wanted to go to Ethan Valentine’s private dock on the south side of the island.”

I wasn’t expecting that answer. “Seriously?”

“Yep, not lying to ya. I left her right there on his dock. Swear to God, it’s the truth.” He made the sign of the cross.

I believed him. He had no reason to lie.

Chapter Twenty

“Was it a threat, or a well-meant warning?”

—Carolyn Keene,The Secret of Shadow Ranch

CeeCee wasn’t on the ferry returning to St. Claire, but Sherry Morrison was. She must not have seen me this morning, because she appeared surprised when I walked on board right before the boat left.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, accusation in her voice.

I smiled and held up the bag with Grams’s new shirt. “Shopping. I wanted to get away for a while, see the sights. You?” I tried to keep my voice light and only marginally interested. I didn’t think she’d seen me following her up the mountain, but I wasn’t positive.

“Same,” she said with cold eyes.

I didn’t see any bags in the cabin, but didn’t comment.

The captain came down from the helm and said, “You two are the only guests returning?” He glanced at the dock as if expecting someone else.

“Do we have to wait for the others?” Sherry snapped. “I need to get ready for the cruise tonight.”

“Of course not,” he said evenly. “There’s another ferry run in two hours.”

“We can wait,” I said, mostly to irritate Sherry. “I mean, after what happened to Diana Harden, maybe we should.”

The captain smiled, shook his head. “No, that’s not necessary. I return in two hours. We’ll be off in just a few minutes, and Gregory will be down with refreshments.”

He went back to the helm, and Sherry stared at me. “You didn’t have to offer to wait. Dammit, I have plans tonight.”

“You’re not concerned that a woman was murdered?”

“Hardly. She probably pissed off the wrong person.”

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