Page 7 of Lost Love Cove 2
“Mr. Marshall… Ian,” Carrie stepped up and gently pulled Ian away. “Let them go. We need someone who knew Katy to stay behind and answer questions.”
Arno and Erika made their way onto the ambulance boat as Carrie guided Ian further up the beach toward them.
He could hear Erika’s sobs, and the sound of her grief burned in Matt’s chest, leaving him speechless.
“Well,” Paula murmured beside him, her brows arched high. “So much for the perfect couple.” She glanced sidelong at him. “I thought they were unshakable. Even after all these years of marriage.”
“I guess not,” Matt said, his voice rough. His eyes lingered on Ian Marshall, who had turned, staring at the departing boat with hollow eyes. “I wonder what that was all about.”
Paula shook her head, lips pursed. “Not sure. But there were rumors, you know. About Katy and her parents not seeing eye to eye lately. Something about her choices, her independence.” She sighed. “That’s what happens when you try to run your kids’ lives even when they’re in their twenties.”
Matt barely heard her. His attention was fixed on Carrie, standing beside Ian Marshall. Her shoulders squared, her voice calm but firm.
Matt edged closer with Paula, not openly, but close enough that he could catch the rhythm of words carried on the wind.
“Ian,” Carrie turned to him, taking his attention away from the boat his son, wife, and daughter were on, and held out her hand. Her tone was official, steady. “I’m Captain Carrie Ware. I’ve been asked to assist the investigation here on Sunset Keys, as the department is short-staffed this week.”
Ian looked at her, his jaw tightening. “You’re staying at the Carltons’ house.”
“Yes,” Carrie confirmed. “And I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Ian said nothing. His eyes drifted once more to the boat.
Carrie’s expression softened, but her tone didn’t waver. “I’m sorry to have to do this now, but I need to ask you some questions.”
Matt and Paula angled closer still, pretending to watch the surf, their ears tuned sharply.
Carrie’s questions came measured. “I believe Katy still lived at home?”
“That’s right,” Ian said, his voice clipped. “Though she’d been in Key West a lot lately.” His jaw clenched. “She was seeing someone there.”
“Do you know who?”
The hesitation was small, but Matt caught it. The flicker in Ian’s expression, the way his eyes slid just slightly away before he said, “No. Sorry, I don’t. She never told me.”
Even Matt could see he was lying.
Carrie didn’t call it out. She simply nodded. “When was the last time you saw her?”
“Three weeks ago. The day my wife and I left on our cruise.” Ian’s voice was clipped and curt.
“Arno said you were away for the whole summer,” Carrie pressed, her brow knitting. “Can I ask what brought you back today, of all days?”
Ian’s eyes tracked the shoreline, then returned to her. His voice was low. “Katy called us two days ago. Said she needed money. She said she had to get out of the country, fast. She was in trouble.”
Matt felt the words like a cold punch.
Carrie’s face stayed composed. “How much money?”
Ian’s head snapped toward her, anger sparking. “Does that matter? My daughter has just been murdered. Shouldn’t you be looking for her killer instead of questioning me?”
Carrie didn’t flinch. “I know this is painful, Mr. Marshall. But I have to ask.”
Ian’s lips twisted. “Because you think I killed my daughter?”
“I didn’t say that,” Carrie replied. Her tone was even, almost gentle, but Matt noticed she hadn’t denied it either.
“You’re not ruling it out.” Ian’s eyes bored into Carrie.
