Page 12 of Tide and Seek
Royce gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.“Deputy Gonzalez told me to call when we got into town, but we got in later than expected.I’ll call him first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Sure.What’s one more day, right?”James smiled, but there was an edge to his voice.
Royce wrinkled his brow.“If I thought waiting to call would impact anything, I wouldn’t wait.”
“Of course not,” James said.“Although, personally, I’d want to know what he had to say right away.But maybe that’s just me.”
I sighed.“I hate having to wait, but Royce is right.It is late.”
James turned to me.“Do you have the deputy’s number, Maxwell?I know Royce doesn’t want to be bothered, but I’d be happy to call Deputy Gonzalez.Perhaps talking to him would give you peace of mind.”
For the first time since James had arrived, annoyance shifted through Royce’s eyes.“I never said I didn’t want to be bothered.I just know Deputy Gonzalez is gone for the day.”
James looked contrite.“Oh, I didn’t mean any offense, Royce.Sorry.I didn’t word that right.I was only thinking of how stressed Maxwell seemed, and I wanted to put him at ease.”
“Sure.”Royce nodded, but he still looked vaguely annoyed.“I don’t want Max to stress out either, but I’ve heard great things about the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.I’m sure they’re on top of things.I’ll call and get all the info we need first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I’m sure you know best.”James smiled politely, swirling the whiskey in his glass.“Unfortunately, I was out of town when they broke into your place, Maxwell.I was visiting my mother in New York, so I have no information to share.I only found out about the break-in from C.J.She was home the night it happened.”
I met Royce’s curious gaze.“C.J.lives next door,” I explained.“She’s an ex-ballerina turned yoga instructor.”
Royce raised his brows.“Is that right?”
“She’s nice.”I smiled, relieved the tension between Royce and James had lessened a bit.“You’ll like her.I was thrilled when she bought the house from the former owner.”
James rolled his eyes.“Oh, yes.Mrs.Brownstone was a piece of work.Her cats would use my rose garden as their litter box.Once I politely complained and she called the HOA on me.I was outraged.When she moved away and C.J.came to live here instead, I was ecstatic.”
“Me too.Mrs.Brownstone didn’t like me,” I murmured.“I’m not sure why.I barely had any interactions with her.”
James shrugged.“She was a raging bigot.I’m sure that’s why she disliked me as well.Unfortunately for her, the HOA couldn’t kick me out of Ocean Whisper Estates for being gay.”
“She was a huge pain,” I agreed.
“Good riddance, I say.”James scowled.“Although, if you can believe it, she still comes back to use the beach whenever she wants.”
I quirked my brows.“Does she?Even though she doesn’t live here anymore?”
“As if that would stop her?”His laugh was derisive.“She says it’s her right.Says she lived here longer than any of us and that she has more rights to the private beach than we do.”James shook his head.“She’s an obnoxious woman.I’m glad she’s gone, and I wish she’d stay away for good.”
I thought his reaction was a bit much, but who was I to judge?Mrs.Brownstone really had been a pain in the ass.I’d bought my place in Ocean Whisper Estates before he had and endured her arrogance longer, but she’d always been more aggressive toward him.At least she’d never turned me in to the HOA.
Royce asked, “There are four homes in the Ocean Whisper Estates, correct?Who lives in the fourth home?”
“That would be Lucas Westbrook,” James said.“I doubt he noticed the burglary or even the cops arriving.He’s usually high as a kite after sundown.To be honest, half the time he’s high by breakfast.He loves the laid-back beach lifestyle and has no interest in getting involved in the trappings of society.He’s always ‘doing his thing,’ surfing, or working on his tan.”
I frowned.“Does he still sell T-shirts down at Zuma Beach?”
James laughed.“Who knows?Last I’d heard he’d given that up to give surfing lessons.Of course, I also heard he’s making puka shell jewelry.Honestly?I’m not sure what he does to make ends meet.”
“Must make a good living if he can afford to live in this private community,” Royce murmured.
James nodded.“C.J.once said he might be a trust fund baby.”
“A trust fund baby who wants to live a minimalist lifestyle.”I snorted.“Is that allowed?Doesn’t it break some sort of hippie code?”
“He’s no hippie.I’ve never known a legit hippie who drove a Porsche 911 Carrera,” James responded drolly.
Royce gave a low whistle.“He drives a Porsche?I don’t know much about cars, but I don’t think there’s such a thing as a budget Porsche.That’s a pricey vehicle for sure.”
