Page 77 of Tide and Seek
“As a heart attack,” Harris said.“The poor guy’s behind almost six months.The bank would have started foreclosure sooner, but his family knows people.You know how money and power talks, man.But doesn’t matter who his family is if he doesn’t pay eventually.Bank’s gonna take it if he doesn’t come up with some serious cash soon.”
C.J.gaped.“But his family has money.Why wouldn’t they help him pay that off?”
“Maybe they’re tired of bailing him out,” Harris said with a shrug.“Either way, the guy’s desperate.Desperate people do desperate things, if you know what I mean.”
I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the ocean breeze.A desperate Luke, facing drug charges and foreclosure, suddenly made a lot more sense as someone who might break into his neighbor’s house looking for something valuable to steal.Could that have been Luke in the security video footage after all?
“When did you find out about the foreclosure?”I asked.
“Couple weeks ago.I was talking to the mailman, nice guy, we chat sometimes when I’m making my rounds.He mentioned seeing foreclosure notices in Luke’s mail.”Harris took another puff, looking satisfied with himself.“I keep my ears open, you know?Part of the job.”
“That’s so sad,” C.J.said.“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me about the foreclosure.I had no idea things were that bad for him.I mean, I knew about the addiction and drug charge, but I thought he was managing okay financially.”
“Yeah, well, drugs are expensive,” Harris said matter-of-factly.“And from what I hear, he was using a lot recently.”
“I can’t believe his family isn’t worried and trying to help.”
“Actually, C.J., I think Luke’s family is very worried and trying to help him,” I said, remembering Max’s and my encounter with Luke’s brother, Stiles, a few days ago.“Max and I met his brother the other day.He seemed like a nice guy, concerned about Luke’s situation.”
C.J.looked confused.“His brother?”
“Yeah, Stiles.He was parked in the lane outside, waiting for Luke to come back from surfing.Said their mother was worried and he’d come to check on Luke.”
C.J.frowned.“Royce, Luke doesn’t have a brother.”
I stared at her.“What do you mean he doesn’t have a brother?”
“I mean he’s an only child.His mom almost miscarried when she was pregnant with him and because of complications she was never able to have any more kids.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” she said.“I’ve known Luke for many years now, and he’s definitely mentioned being an only child more than once.”
The fruity scent from Harris’s vape suddenly seemed cloying.“But this guy seemed legit.Sincerely concerned about Luke.He said their mother sent him to check up on Luke because he’d missed a couple of NA meetings.”
“Luke hasn’t been to an NA meeting in over a year,” C.J.said quietly.“And his mother lives in Phoenix and she doesn’t tend to pay much attention to what Luke is up to.He’s always just done whatever he wanted and she paid the bills.”
Harris looked between us with interest.“Wait, so some random guy was claiming to be Luke’s brother?That’s weird as hell.What’d he look like?”
I described Stiles—the expensive clothes, the red sports car, the polished appearance that was so different from Luke’s disheveled state.
“Hmm, doesn’t ring a bell,” Harris said.“How did he know the security code to the main gate?”
“No idea,” I said.
“But why would someone lie about being Luke’s brother?”C.J.asked, looking puzzled.“What would be the point?”
I was wondering the same thing, and I didn’t like any of the answers coming to mind.A well-dressed stranger showing up and asking about Luke, right when Max’s home had been burgled and Luke was acting paranoid and desperate, was troubling.
“Did this Stiles guy ask you any questions?”C.J.pressed.“About Luke, or about the neighborhood, or anything?”
I tried to remember the conversation.“Not really.He just seemed really concerned about Luke’s well-being.Said something about Luke missing NA meetings and their mother being worried.”I paused, thinking.“Although he did seem curious about the stuff that’s happened, like the burglary and the body that was found.”
Harris shrugged.“That’s probably not unusual.There’s some pretty weird stuff going on lately.”
“Do you think that guy pretending to be Luke’s brother is the burglar or the killer?”C.J.asked apprehensively, eyes wide.“Gosh, maybe he’s both.Maybe he’s connected to all the shit that’s been going on around here.”
Harris squinted like he was thinking hard.“So, counting the burglary at Maxwell’s house, you’ve also got Luke acting paranoid and desperate, facing foreclosure and drug charges.Then you got some mysterious guy pretending to be his brother, and now Max is getting threatening texts telling him to leave town.”He looked between us.“No way that’s all coincidence.”
