Lenses, Lust, and Murder: A Crystal Coast Case (Crystal Coast Cases Book 2) Read online

  Chapter Four

  Once Officer Greer had seen the body, she asked the other law enforcement officers who had arrived to secure the scene. “And now we wait,” she said.

  “Wait for what?” Allie asked.

  “The county ME will come out to tell us that she is indeed dead, but even his office will likely be asked not to process the scene because this is a federal park, under the purview of the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, and even Homeland Security because of where it is. And if that is who I think it is, she was a federal employee, meaning the FBI will likely be involved. And since they have the best resources when it comes to evidence collection and processing a scene, we’ll wait for them, if it’s determined that they will take point on this.”

  “The FBI?” Allie asked. “Closest field office is…”

  “Charlotte, but there’s a Resident Agency in Wilmington.”

  “That’s two hours away,” Allie said.

  “Our hands are tied,” Officer Greer said. “Do you mind waiting here, in case anyone wants to interview you?”

  “No, that’s fine,” Allie said, looking at Mike who nodded. “Do you need the kids, too?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Greer said. “Just in case.”

  Allie spoke with one of the Autism Center’s staff who had been chaperoning several of the kids, including Frankie. “Is it okay if I take her home when we’re done?”

  “Normally, that’s against our policy, but…” She looked at the rangers rushing to and fro then nodded. “You know her parents, right?”

  Allie nodded. “Ryan and Frankie hang out from time to time.”

  “I’ll call her mom and let her know you have her. Explain what’s going on,” the chaperone said. She gave Allie a thumbs up and gathered the rest of the group to head toward the pavilion.

  Hugging Ryan and Frankie to her sides, she said, “Why don’t we go sit on the benches outside the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters and keep an eye on the Sound for a bit?”

  They found a quiet spot, listening to the buzz of conversation coming from the direction of the covered picnic area. She assumed the NPS law enforcement officers were taking statements from everyone. If it were up to her, she would get shoe impressions, too, but she doubted this tiny force had the tools for that many people. Would they make them wait?

  Allie texted Peg to let her know they would be late getting home, because she knew their neighbor looked out for them. She would also want all the details. Then she texted Charlie Bishop, Chief Detective of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Department and old family friend.

  So, I guess you’ve heard…

  Yep. On my way out there now

  Sounds like jurisdiction is a mess

  It’ll get sorted. A lot depends on who was killed.

  Officer Greer thinks the feds will be involved

  Huh. You staying there for a bit?

  Yep, in case someone needs to interview us

  See you soon, then

  See you soon

  Before too long, a ferry pulled up, carrying Charlie Bishop and a crew of deputies who were tasked with taking shoe impressions of all the visitors corralled in the picnic area. Charlie found his way to the Keepers Quarters and greeted Allie, Ryan, Frankie, and Mike.

  “How are you, buddy?” he asked Ryan.

  “Okay,” Ryan said with a shy smile.

  “And who is this lovely young lady?”

  “My girlfriend, Frankie,” Ryan said as both kids blushed and smiled.

  Charlie raised his eyebrows, as did Allie, who gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. Girlfriend? News to me.

  “I brought you a word puzzle book and your favorite kind of pencil,” Charlie said, handing the prize to Ryan, whose face lit up.

  “Thanks, Charlie,” Allie said. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I know I didn’t, but the Dollar General was on the way, and I knew you guys might have a wait on your hands.”

  Allie asked Mike if he could stay with Ryan and Frankie while she and Charlie walked and talked. He nodded and smiled. Allie and Charlie walked through the doors of the Keepers Quarters out to the lighthouse grounds.

  “Is he okay? I mean really okay?” Charlie asked.

  “I think so. Time will tell. Sometimes shocking news or events take a while to process, but he didn’t see much, thank God. The victim’s face and most of her body is covered by some kind of burlap. And he prevented Frankie from seeing anything.”

  “Burlap? Interesting.”

  “I have a hunch it’s from a display here in the Keepers Quarters.” She gestured to their surroundings, the two-story white house that was a museum now.

  “And you don’t know who the victim is?” Charlie asked.

  “Not from what I could see. I think there were drag marks, too.”

  “Not killed where she was, then?”

  “Maybe not,” Allie said.

  “Anything else strike you on first impression?”

  “I don’t think she’d been there long. The blood in her hair looked wet.”

  “Okay. I’m going to go ask Greer for a look. Then I’ll come back and take your official statements,” Charlie said.

  “Are we waiting on the FBI?” Allie asked.

  “Looks that way.”

  “Will you get to investigate?”

  “Not sure yet. I’m sure they’ll set up a task force and the pissing contest will commence,” Charlie said.

  “Okay. Come and find us when you’re done,” she said.

  Charlie tipped his hat to her and smiled before turning to head into the brush.

  Chapter Five

  When Charlie returned, he pulled Allie aside. “It looks like it’s Harriet Brennan. She was in charge of Human Resources for the park.”

  “As well as the education and public programs for the time being, right?”

  “Yes, they absorbed that into her position with the last round of federal cuts.”

  “That’s horrible. She and Ranger Jenny Dowling came out to the Autism Center regularly to do programs with the kids, and they’ve had several field trips here. Why would anyone want to kill her?”

  “That’s always the question, isn’t it?” Charlie said.

  “I suppose since she was an assistant superintendent, this will be a pretty big deal?” Allie asked.

  “I’m sure it will. Due to the location of the park, there is a whole host of scenarios which could have wide-reaching implications for multiple governmental agencies and departments. Everyone’s going to want a finger in this pie.”

  “The question is, are they smart enough to recognize they need you, too?”

  “Oh, I think so. A lot depends on the personalities and egos involved. Everyone should be assembled tomorrow, and we’ll know more,” Charlie said, looking away and then clearing his throat. “I’ve worked with the FBI agent coming from Wilmington before.”

  “You have? What’s his name?” And why are you suddenly acting weird?

  “Nick Cruz. He’s a good agent.”

  Allie tried to look Charlie in the eye, but he was looking everywhere else. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Finally, he met her gaze. “That’s his story to tell.”

  Her brows knit together in confusion, but she said nothing as they walked back toward Mike and the kids on the Sound side of the house.

  Allie knew the moment Darius Walker arrived. She could hear his deep voice from the other side of the Keepers Quarters. She and Charlie crossed through again.

  “Allie Fox. What are you doing here?” Darius Walker stopped in his tracks.

  “Wrong place, wrong time,” Allie said. “I’m just playing tourist.”

  “Beautiful night for it,” Walker said, looking up at the sky. “Was it your brother who found the body, then?”

  Allie nodded.

  “Got a look, did you?”

  She nodded again.

  “Well, I’m going to go check it out. Of course, we have to
wait for the FBI Emergency Response Team to process the scene. That’s why I’m all alone tonight.”

  “But you’ll do the autopsy?” she asked.

  “Sure will.” Walker nodded. “Charlie, you in on this one?”

  “Not sure yet,” Charlie said. “Hope to be.”

  “And you want to help,” Walker guessed, cocking an eyebrow at Allie.

  She smiled.

  “Don’t get your hopes up too high. Kat Matthews isn’t a fan of yours.”

  Charlie nodded.

  “I’m not worried about Kat Matthews,” Allie said with a grin.

  Walker raised both eyebrows. “All right then. I suppose we’ll see. Gotta get going so the cogs in the machine keep moving.”

  “See ya, Darius,” Charlie said.

  “Hope to talk to you soon, Dr. Walker,” Allie said.

  “Darius, please. And I’m sure you will if you have anything to say about it.” He winked and turned, heading out into the brush.

  Charlie set off to make sure the deputies were getting through the crowd efficiently, and Allie returned to the bench where Frankie and Ryan both slept, Ryan with his head in Mike’s lap and Frankie propped against his shoulder. She kissed Mike’s cheek and sat on the porch in front of him, reaching for Mike’s hand. “Not the best date we’ve ever been on,” she said.

  “No,” he agreed. “But it was pretty good for a while, right?”

  She smiled. “Yes. A stellar suggestion.”

  “Trouble seems to find you, Allie Fox.” Mike tousled her hair affectionately.

  “Kinda goes with the territory now that I help catch bad guys again.” She felt a twinge in her chest when she remembered the danger Ryan had been in when she investigated Ty’s murder in the boatyard.

  “Do you think Charlie will get to work this case?” Mike asked.

  “Probably. A local law enforcement officer is going to get the feds a lot further than they would without him. You know this area’s history with the government, and it ain’t good.”

  “Between regulations on their livelihoods from Wildlife and Fisheries, and the feds taking this island for a National Park. But do they know that? The feds, I mean?”

  “I’m sure Charlie will remind them if they’ve forgotten. And if they attempt it without him, they’ll quickly figure it out on their own.”

  Allie could just imagine an FBI agent knocking on doors in the area called “Down East” by the locals. The people around here were wary of strangers and didn’t like government of any kind. Being local meant the world down here, as Allie knew all too well, and federal agents were never locals.

  “And what about Kat Matthews? She basically threatened to take Ryan away from you on the boatyard case. What makes you think she won’t try to make trouble for you again?” Mike said.

  She kissed the palm of his hand, recognizing his concern for her and her brother. “Kat Matthews knows I can make just as much trouble for her. She won’t mess with me.” Allie always smiled to herself when she thought about the information she’d dug up about Matthews in the file cabinet of her former employer. She hoped she could get plenty of mileage out of those secrets.

  Chapter Six

  It was getting pretty late in the evening, and Allie was having a hard time keeping her eyes open when another ferry landed at the National Park Service dock. A team of men and women in dark jackets emblazoned with “FBI ERT” disembarked and headed toward the lighthouse. Allie passed through the Keepers Quarters again and leaned against a porch post.

  A man she guessed to be in his early thirties with short, dark hair, a tan complexion, and a killer smile turned her direction. “You must be Allie Fox.”

  “And you are?” she asked.

  “Agent Nick Cruz, FBI,” he said, holding his arms akimbo. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, and the posture emphasized his muscular biceps, which Allie supposed might be on purpose. He held out his hand. “I’ve waited a long time to meet you.”

  “You have?” she asked as she shook his hand.

  His smile faltered. “Charlie’s told me so much about you,” he said. The killer smile returned.

  Nice recovery. There was something about this guy she didn’t like.

  “You found the body?” he asked, taking a notebook out of his pocket.

  “Actually, my brother, Ryan, found the body. He’s autistic and had wandered off. I heard him cry out and my boyfriend, Mike, and I spread out looking for him. I found him sitting with his friend Frankie in among the pine trees. They told me he had seen a dead body. So I went looking and found her a short ways away.”

  “Is he all right?” Cruz asked without looking at her, continuing to make notes in his notebook.

  “I think so,” she said. “Time will tell.”

  “I have a cousin on the spectrum,” he said.

  She nodded, tamping down her knee-jerk response that every kid on the spectrum was different.

  “And you could tell she was dead?” he asked.

  “Her face was covered. I could see blood in her hair and on her arm and hand. Also what looked like ink on her index finger. She was in a red dress and covered with what looked like burlap. Maybe from a display at the Keepers Quarters.” Allie jerked a thumb behind her.

  “Okay. You’re observant for a civilian. Anything else you noticed?”

  “I thought I could discern drag marks. I hope the ground isn’t too torn up with all the traffic.”

  “Good,” he said, flipping his notebook closed. “Seems to have rained recently?”

  “Yes, earlier today.”

  “Good. Mud will help us. Well, I’m going to see what the ERT sees so we can file a report, and we’ll go from there.”

  “Will Charlie get to work this investigation?”

  “Unfortunately, that’s not up to me,” he said. “It was nice to meet you, Allie Fox. After we get your shoe impressions, you can head home. There’s a ferry waiting for you at the dock. We’ll catch up later.” He waved and headed into the brush.

  Catch up? Why do we need to catch up when we’ve just met?

  Allie collected Mike and the sleepy kids, and they made their way to the dock after stepping into the shoe impression kits the deputies had ready for them. They climbed onto the empty catamaran and leaned into each other and drowsed, allowing the hum of the motor and the motion of the boat to lull them into semi-consciousness.

  “We’re here, folks,” the captain said gently, and they disembarked at the quiet Visitor Center. Ryan spotted an NPS boat that had an Out of Service sign posted on the front parked at the dock next to the Catamaran. He rushed over to the railing and immediately started scripting about his most recent visit to the arcade in Cape Carteret when his favorite game had a similar sign posted.

  Bad memories, Allie thought. On an already trying night. Poor kid.

  “I’ll get him,” Mike said, following Ryan to the railing.

  “Frankie, we’ll get you home as quick as we can.”

  Mike and Ryan returned, and Ryan reached for Allie’s hand. She hugged him to her side and said, “It’s okay, Ryan. We don’t have to worry about the arcade right now. Let’s get you home and snuggled into bed, okay?”

  He continued to script, although softly, as they bundled him into the backseat of Mike’s truck next to Frankie.

  The long ride back to Morehead City was quiet. Too quiet.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “No!” Mike said. “No, nothing’s wrong. I’m just tired.”

  Allie paused. “Are you sure? Because you’re awfully quiet.”

  Mike sighed. “I’m sure.”

  “Okay, then,” Allie said and smiled, hiding the fact that she wasn’t convinced. He’ll tell me when he’s ready, I guess. She reached for his hand, and he responded, holding hers lightly.

  After about a half-mile, he said, “It’s just…” He bit his lip.

  “Mike,” Allie said. “C’mon.”

  He peeked back at the kids and whispered, “It
was a dead body lying there, Allie. A woman who probably woke up this morning same as you and me. Doesn’t that bother you?”

  Allie took a deep breath. “Of course, it does, Mike. It wasn’t too long ago I was identifying my parents’ bodies in the morgue. I know the value of human life, and the loss and grief that’s left behind, especially when it’s unexpected.”

  “You’re absolutely right,” he said. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “No, you were right to tell me what you’re thinking. It’s necessary for us to… be us, right?”

  Mike nodded, but she could tell he was still upset.

  “What else?” she prompted.

  “I worry is all.”

  “About me?” she asked. “Even after I kicked your ass when we boxed in the shed? Even after I took out a murderer trained in Muay Thai?”

  “Yes, even then.” He laughed. “I don’t like how trouble follows you. I don’t know what I’d do if anything…”

  “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Mike.” She squeezed his hand. “If I get involved in this case—”

  “That’s a big ‘if.’”

  “If I get involved in this, there will be plenty of other people involved, too, from the FBI, Homeland, Department of the Interior, not to mention a set of badass park rangers with guns and stuff.”

  “That’s true.”

  “And Charlie would never let anything happen to me. You know that.”

  He nodded. This time, Allie could tell she was convincing him.

  “Just be careful, Allie. I need you, and Ryan needs you.”

  She smiled. “I know.”

  “Besides, this may all be for nothing. They may not even let you have a seat at the adult table.”

  Allie pursed her lips. “You’re right, of course. But I think they need Charlie.”