Page 83 of Murder in Calusa Cove
Hayes sighed, the air thickening again. “Yeah,” he said. “That thing’s a rabbit hole.”
“We knew Ken had secrets,” Dawson said, voice low. “But Tripp thought he was dealing when he was a kid. Said he caught him red-handed back in high school.”
“That’s one thing,” Keaton said. “But those later entries…the ones where Ken came back after he married Julie? He said something was off with Ken and his new bride. That they were acting shady—and it had to do with the marina and money.”
“But he never said what exactly,” Baily added. “However, we all know about the bad investments and that damn loan. I just can’t believe my brother would have anything to do with that. It doesn’t make sense.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Fletcher said. “Ken and Tripp are dead, so we can’t ask them.”
“I tried calling Julie again.” Baily stared into her drink, as if it had all the answers. “She’s still not taking my calls. I miss my nephews. It’s so not fair.”
“Perhaps she’ll take a call from me.” Keaton drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “We’ll follow the trail. Keep working the angles. Eventually, we’ll find the answers. But for now, we need to enjoy the fact that we’re all alive, and two of us are bringing new life into the world.” He patted his new wife’s belly, which had popped in the last couple of days.
Hayes tilted his head toward the fading light. “I don’t know about you all, but I could use a little rest and relaxation.”
Chloe nudged his arm. “Have you told them?”
“Keaton knows.” Hayes smiled and sat up straighter. “I’m going to build a house.”
Fletcher raised a brow. “You?”
“Yeah. On my old property.” Keaton broke into a grin.
“You serious?” Dawson asked. “I mean, this isn’t one of your ‘I thought about it, but I’m gonna change my mind when it comes to signing on the dotted line’ things, is it?”
“Dead serious. I’ve already signed the paperwork and completed the survey. Figured it’s time I stop pretending I don’t want a home of my own.”
“With Chloe,” Fletcher said, smirking.
“With Chloe,” Hayes confirmed, glancing at her like she’d just anchored him to the earth.
“I’ll help you frame the house,” Dawson offered. “Once you’re cleared to lift more than a coffee mug.”
“I’m holding you to it.” He raised his beer.
“And the Crab Shack?” Baily asked, as if she might actually be on board with the idea.
Keaton leaned forward, a spark in his eyes. “We’re putting in a bid. All four of us. Dawson, Hayes, Fletcher, me.”
“A new project,” Fletcher added. “Maybe a place people can bring their catch and have it cooked up right. With music. Community. Something this town needs.”
Chloe laughed, leaning her head on Hayes’s shoulder. “So what? You’re all becoming restaurateurs?”
“Let’s just say,” Hayes said, his hand covering hers, “we’re building more than just houses around here.”
And for the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like something was ending.
It felt like the beginning of everything.
