Page 47 of Tide and Seek
“Yes.That sounds like a wonderful plan.”Relieved that Royce seemed like his old self, I smiled and pulled the keys to the Hummer out of my pocket.“Please tell me you’ll drive to the police station.”
“Happily.”His lips twitched.“Last thing we need is you steering us into oncoming traffic out of sheer embarrassment.”
“That monstrosity of a vehicle would probably survive without a scratch.”
“Uh, yeah.”Royce lifted his brows and snatched the keys from me.“Let’s not test that theory.”
Chapter Ten
Royce
Later, as Max and I headed to the sheriff’s station to view the security footage, a red sports car caught my eye, parked on the narrow lane between C.J.’s home and James’s house.The afternoon sun glinted off its polished hood, and a man sat behind the wheel, scrolling through his phone.
“Do you know that guy?”I asked Max.
Max shielded his eyes against the glare of the afternoon sun.“No.I don’t recognize him or the car.”
Considering all the things that had happened recently at Ocean Whisper Estates, I decided it couldn’t hurt to see who this stranger was.“Let’s go find out who he is.”
Max hesitated but then followed me toward the sports car.Before we reached it, the driver opened his door and climbed out.The guy looked to be early thirties, blond and impeccably dressed in a crisp white button-down, charcoal slacks, and Italian leather shoes.His brown eyes were congenial beneath perfectly groomed brows.
“Hello,” he called out cheerfully before either Max or I could speak.
“Afternoon,” I said, stopping in front of him.“Are you here visiting someone in the colony?”I tried to keep my voice friendly and not suspicious.
He nodded.“I sure am.I’m Stiles Westbrook, Luke’s brother.”My expression must have shown my surprise at the contrast between him and his brother because he laughed.“I know, Luke and I are nothing alike.He’s a free spirit, while I went the evil corporate route.”
I smiled.“I’m Royce and this here is Maxwell.”
“Nice to meet you.”Stiles gestured toward Luke’s beach house.“It seems Luke’s not home.I knocked on his door, but he’s not answering.I was trying to decide if I should wait around or go grab lunch and come back later.”
“Unfortunately, I saw Luke heading toward the ocean with his surfboard about ten minutes ago,” Max volunteered, gesturing toward the beach path on the side of Luke’s home.“He might not be back anytime soon.He usually stays out quite a while when he surfs.”
“Damn.”Stiles sighed, the ocean breeze ruffling his perfectly styled hair.“Timing is everything, isn’t it?”He rubbed the back of his neck.“Luke’s been struggling lately, I thought I’d come by and give him a pep talk.Mom is worried about him, but she’s not feeling great, so I volunteered to come see him.”
“That’s good of you,” I said, catching the faint scent of his expensive cologne mixing with the salt air.
He shrugged.“Family’s everything, right?I don’t like seeing my little brother having a hard time.He’s missed a few NA meetings, and that always gets us worried.”
“So you’re aware of his… drug issues?”Max asked, squinting slightly as the afternoon sun beat down on the pavement between us.
“Oh, yeah.We’re well aware.He’s struggled his whole life, but it’s gotten worse the last year.”He winced.“But we’re not giving up on him.”
“Of course not.”I nodded.“It’s good he has his family’s support.”
Stiles’s smile was pensive.“He’s a good kid.I just know he’ll turn his life around.”
“I’m sure he will if he has you guys in his corner,” I said gruffly.
He gave an appreciative smile, then his expression became more serious.“Luke told me about all the stuff going on here lately.”He widened his eyes.“I mean a dead body and a burglary.That’s terrifying.”
“It’s been very stressful.”Max grimaced.“We’re actually headed to the Lost Hills sheriff’s station to view footage of the burglary right now.”
Stiles’s brows shot up.“Wait, it was your house that was broken into?”
“Yes.”Max sighed.“I’m the lucky one.”
“Whoa, that’s awful.I’m sorry to hear that.”Stiles shook his head.“I’d have thought a gated community like this would be safer.”
