Aaron held the man’s gaze, then nodded slowly. “Be that as it may, you’re not allowed to leave at this time.” Not giving Jon a chance to continue complaining, he asked, “Did you see or hear anything in the past three days, either in the area or down on the beach?“

  “Absolutely not. My wife takes a sleeping pill, and I have always been a sound sleeper.”

  “We’d like to speak to your wife. Please ask her to join us,” Aaron continued.

  “This has been all very upsetting. She’s resting.”

  Sam’s eyes narrowed as he growled, “Did she go down to the beach and see the body?”

  “Of course not!”

  “Then I fail to see what exactly has been so upsetting that she can’t come to speak to us now.”

  Jon looked as though he wanted to argue but turned and walked back up the stairs. The sound of murmuring from above was heard, and he returned with a tall, thin woman whose hair and makeup were meticulously fixed. The dog was now in her arms, and she descended the stairs in a regal manner.

  Aaron looked at Sam, then said quietly, “While you talk to her, I want to go to the landing above to see their view.”

  Jon’s disdain was evident as Aaron gave him a simple explanation, and he headed up the stairs. Hearing Jon’s wife give unhelpful answers to Sam’s questions, Aaron padded across the thick carpet and looked out the second-story windows toward the beach. From this vantage point, the body would’ve been visible. Of course, he had no idea what time it washed up on shore, but slipping his phone from his pocket, he snapped several pictures out the window. A few kayaks and a row boat were close to the dunes, and he rolled his eyes, remembering their previous dealings with Harry Malroney and his stolen kayaks.

  Looking around the loft, he noted the furnishings on the long landing, including several decorative tables and a comfortable chair next to a bookcase. As his gaze slid over the area outside the bedrooms, he noticed a pair of binoculars resting on one of the small tables and a telescope next to the chair.

  He scrubbed his hand over his face and descended the staircase. “I’d like to ask both of you if you’ve used the telescope or the binoculars on the landing since you’ve been here?”

  She blinked, her eyelashes fluttering. “I certainly haven’t. I take no pleasure in staring out into the distance at ugly cargo carriers in the bay. We take walks, look for shells, and make sure Hercules and Aphrodite get fresh air from the deck.”

  At this, it was his turn to blink as he realized the dog she held in her hands was different from the one in Jon’s hand, although they appeared similar.

  Sam nodded. “Thank you. We’ll be in contact when you will be able to leave the area. The deputies will finish canvassing the area later today, and you can resume your beach walks.”

  “You expect us to walk our dogs out there where a body was?”

  “I didn’t think they got their paws in the sand,” Aaron asked.

  “They don’t. But they can smell things, can’t they?” Jon huffed.

  Sam and Aaron shared another look and then walked to the front door, where they reencountered Harry, his glare still firmly on his face. He continued to complain, but they soon moved past him and out to Aaron’s SUV.

  Once inside, they sat, neither speaking for a moment. Finally, Aaron turned to look at his partner. “Are people getting weirder, or is it my imagination?”

  Sam heaved a great sigh. “Fuck, I don’t know. You’re talking to a man who recently had two skeletons discovered on his property. I sometimes wonder if I ever know what the fuck is going on.”

  “Maybe we should have interviewed Hercules and Aphrodite. They would have made more sense,” Aaron said.

  They shared a look, then both began to chuckle. Aaron drove to the next driveway to start questioning the neighbors, even more desperate for a cup of Belinda’s coffee.

  19

  “Belinda!”

  Belinda turned at the call of her name, stopping at her car door and seeing Hayley hurrying toward her. “Hi!”

  “Oh, I’m glad I caught you.” Hayley stopped in front of Belinda and placed her hand on her chest. “You’d think from chasing two kids, I’d be in better shape!”

  Laughing, Belinda said, “I was never athletic, and that hasn’t changed as an adult. If I jogged across the parking lot, I’d be out of breath, too!”

  She hadn’t spent much time around Hayley, but Aaron had mentioned the problem she and Sam recently had with the skeletons found in their yard. He and Sam spent much of last month dealing with unusual investigations. “What can I do for you?”

  “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Sam and I are getting married right before Christmas. I know it seems rushed, but we’ve known each other for years, and the time seems right.”

  Belinda watched as peace filled Hayley’s face and thought of the contrast between the nervous or the demanding brides-to-be she came in contact with. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. It won’t be a big or fancy ceremony. I had all that with my first husband. Sam and I want a simple ceremony with us, the kids, family, and some friends. Right afterward, we’re all going to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida.”

  Eyes widening, she clapped her hands. “Oh wow, that sounds perfect.”

  “I’m sure you’re booked up, but I wanted to check. We’re getting married at the Baytown Methodist church and having a simple reception downstairs in their community room. It’ll be on a Monday, so I was wondering if you could take pictures. The ones you took of us at the beach a few months ago were so beautiful.”

  “I only have a few events for December so far, so that won’t be a problem. I’d love to! In fact, this weekend is the wedding of a deputy. If you and Sam will be there, you can check out how I work a wedding.”

  Hayley grabbed her and pulled her in for a hug. “Oh my God, you’ve made my day! And yes, we’ll be at that wedding.” She sighed and continued, “Today started out so badly that this will make Sam as happy as me.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  Hayley pulled back, her gaze searching Belinda’s face. “Oh, I thought maybe Aaron told you. He and Sam were called out for a body found on the beach this morning.”

  She’d wondered why she hadn’t heard from Aaron, and now she hated for him to have started out his day this way. “Oh no… I hadn’t heard. And Aaron and I… we’re not… um… we’re just friends now…”

  Hayley waved her hand. “Girl, you don’t have to explain anything to me. Sam and I were all over the place for years. Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of your face.”

  She nodded, chuckling. “I remembered him from high school, but he never remembered me. Then when we met up a year ago, we went out a few times, but…” She scrunched her nose. “Let’s just say that the timing was all wrong.”

  Hayley grinned, leaned forward, and asked, “And is the timing better now?”

  Smiling in return, she replied, “It’s complicated. Yes, it’s better. But we’re taking things very slowly. We want to make sure and not rush into anything. So we’re friends… close friends… and well, um… we’ll see.”

  Hayley held her gaze as she dropped her hands to squeeze Belinda’s. “I can already tell that you’re sure. For what it’s worth, he’d be a fool not to be sure, too. Sam says Aaron is smart, so, girl, I’d say it’s only a matter of time.”

  Before Belinda had a chance to respond, Hayley’s phone alarm sounded, and she grimaced. “I have to go. I’ll get you the details for the wedding. And thank you!”

  As she watched Hayley turn away, she called her back. “Hayley, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “When Sam has a day… well, a day like today where they are investigating something difficult… how…?” She shrugged, uncertain what she was trying to ask.

  Hayley reached down to take her hand. “I was married to a police officer. Sam’s former partner, actually. This job is tough on them. If you’re asking the best way to help them when they’ve had a day dealing with death, murder, abuse? Just be present, Belinda. Just be yourself and let him be him. They need that.”

  The two women held each other’s gazes for a moment, then they smiled, squeezed hands, and Belinda climbed into her car, her mind on Aaron. Her smile slid from her face as she tried to imagine him investigating a death. She hoped it was natural causes but knew the sleepy shore had had its share of murders.

  Cora met Aaron and Sam at the hospital late that afternoon, where she’d performed the autopsy.

  “Tell me you’ve got something for us?” Sam asked.

  “Male. Approximately midforties. Seventy-one inches tall. One hundred sixty-four pounds. Overall, good health. Right handed. Wedding ring. White gold. No inscription. I sent a set of fingerprints to the department yesterday. I didn’t know if he was in a database, but I also sent copies of his dental X-rays to the state police medical unit and to your department in case there is a missing person file. He had veneers on his upper front teeth. He’d had right shoulder surgery. Cause of death was a gunshot wound. Nine millimeters. Entered from the front, nicked the sternum, and diverted on its trajectory into the heart. Lodged in the right ventricle. He would have died almost instantly.” She pointed at the counter where she had evidence bags labeled. “Got it over there for you.”

  She moved to his feet and said, “Here’s something of note. There is discoloration on his left lower ankle and feet, along with sock fibers embedded in this ankle. This would indicate that he was in an upright position after death, at least for a while. And something was tied tightly around his ankle, forcing the sock fibers to embed.”

  Aaron stared down at the man’s feet.

  “I noted the darker discoloration around his ankles. If he had been weighted down by something tied around his ankles, he would have gone into the water upright.”

  “Execution style,” Sam muttered under his breath.

  “Either they weren’t professionals, or they were very sloppy. The rope used wasn’t heavy enough to hold weights, and they may have slid off his foot, taking his left shoe off as well.”

  “So he wasn’t just shot and then fell into the water,” Aaron said, his mind trying to imagine the scenario occurring. “Any drugs in his system?”

  “Still waiting on final toxicology, but a few things turned up. Beta-blocker, probably for blood pressure. No alcohol in his system. Contents of stomach suggested he hadn’t eaten a meal within a few hours of death.”

  As Aaron took notes, preferring to write things down and not just rely on her clinical notes, Sam asked, “Time of death?”

  She snorted. “Isn’t that always the question?” Shaking her head, she said, “He was killed before he went into the water. And based on the lack of decomposition, I’d say he hadn’t been in the water long before washing up on shore.”

  The two detectives stared at her, and she sighed. “I’d say within the past forty-eight hours.”

  “Anything from the clothing?” Aaron asked.

  “Of course, there was the sediment you would expect from someone who washed up on shore. You saw his clothes—fully dressed, other than no left shoe. Well made jacket. Fitted shirt. No wallet. No identification. But there was something,” she said. “A monogrammed linen handkerchief was tucked in his inside jacket pocket.”

  “I don’t know many people who still use a handkerchief,” Aaron said, glancing over at Sam, who shook his head.

  Cora lifted a brow. “I remember my grandfather used a handkerchief. He was always fastidious yet would use the handkerchief to wipe his nose, refold it, and put it back into his pocket. I’m sure my grandmother washed them dutifully, even ironing them.” She shook her head and said, “I haven’t thought about that in years. Isn’t it funny how memories can come back?” She resettled her expression with a professional demeanor. “Anyway, the initials on the handkerchief are WG. I have everything so far in my report and the evidence bags for you to sign out.”

  Thanking her, they were soon back on the road to the station. Once there, they logged the evidence and settled at their desks in the detectives’ room. Hunter and Brad walked over.

  “What did the medical examiner have to say?”

  Aaron handed Hunter a copy of the report, and Brad leaned over his partner’s shoulder.

  “Nice clothes, veneers on his teeth, and a monogrammed handkerchief…any missing persons reports?”

  “We’re running his info through the FBI databases,” Sam said. “There’s nothing local here on the Shore or in the Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads area. If he came over two days ago and wasn’t expected back home, he might not be reported missing yet.”

  “No wallet could indicate a robbery,” Aaron surmised.

  Sam and Aaron spent the afternoon combing through the man’s clothes to see if anything was significant. His clothing tags indicated well made but not tailored. Whoever killed him had gone through his pockets yet missed the handkerchief.

  Aaron finally took a break and called Belinda.

  “Hey, how are you?” she asked, her soft voice like a balm.

  “I’m okay, but it’s going to be a late night, and I won’t be able to see you.”

  “That’s okay. I talked to Hayley earlier, and she explained that you and Sam were investigating a body found on the beach.”

  “Yeah. It’s turning into a full-blown investigation with no identification of the victim yet.”

  “I’m so sorry, Aaron. You must be exhausted.”

  Her simple statement scored straight through him. No past girlfriends had ever asked how he was doing with his job. But then, he’d never gotten emotionally close enough to anyone to share, until now. He wanted more. He wanted to give more. And that was going to start now.

  20

  Aaron watched Belinda walk from the kitchen to the living room, placing the two beer bottles on the coffee table and the large pizza box he’d arrived with. She handed him a plate and sat on the sofa beside him. It was late by the time he and Sam had finished for the day and even later by the time he’d made it to Belinda’s apartment with the pizza.

  She crinkled her nose. “I feel like I should have cleared off my table enough for us to eat there.”

  He halted the bite of pizza that was on its way to his mouth and replied, “Why? Your table is your work space, and there’s no reason to change that just because I’m here. Anyway, the fact that you’re letting me eat here is more than enough.”

  She grinned. “I wanted to have dinner with you.”

  “Yeah, but I should have offered to take you out somewhere.”

  Shaking her head, she disagreed. “No, this is better.”

  He took a bite and chewed slowly, savoring the flavors but realizing how hungry he was since he’d skipped lunch. “Anything with you is better than going home to an empty apartment and trying to figure out what to nuke for dinner.”

  She licked a dollop of pizza sauce from her bottom lip, and he stared, wishing it had been his tongue that caressed her lip. Her lips moved again, but he belatedly realized that she was speaking.

  “I’m sorry… what did you say?” he asked.

  Her expression fell slightly, filling with sympathy. “I was just saying that Hayley mentioned how hard a case like what you and Sam are working on can be. And I wanted to do something to… I don’t know… help.” She shrugged. “But then you brought the pizza, so you really did it all.”

  He set his plate on the coffee table and shook his head. Twisting to face her, he held her gaze. “Oh no, Belinda. I only brought pizza. That’s nothing. You provided a place of comfort and company. That’s more than what I would have had going home alone. Just being able to come here and know I’ll be surrounded by the beautiful nature pictures that are calming and share conversation with you takes me to a better place than where my mind has been all day.” He wondered if his meager explanation could possibly begin to let her know how much her invite had meant to him.

  Her blue-violet gaze never left his face, and then she curled her lips slightly. “That’s what Hayley said, but I wasn’t sure.”

  His brow furrowed, and she continued. “I asked her how I could help you, and she said that the best way to help when you’re having a day dealing with death, or a murder, or abuse, was just to be present and to be myself. And to let you be you.”

  He blew out a long breath, slowly unpacking all that she had just said, starting with the first part. “You asked Hayley how you could help me?”

  “I hated that you would have to face such a terrible day and go home alone.”

  “And then you texted me the invitation to come over?”

  Her smile warmed his heart, and she nodded. “Of course I did.”

  She said it so easily, as though wanting to help him was second nature to her. Once more, realizing that with past girlfriends, he’d never had that… someone who thought of the emotional demands of his job. “Thank you,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t shake as much as he thought it might. Leaning toward her, he touched his lips to hers in a soft, barely-there kiss. When he leaned back, she had her eyes closed and let out a tiny sigh as her lips curved more.

  She was utterly captivating, and he’d so willingly let her go. Pulling himself back from the brink of the cliff where people jump off when they drown in past regrets, Aaron returned his full attention to Belinda.

  They leaned back slightly so their gazes could meet. “I fucked up last year, Belinda. I knew it at the time but had no idea how to make it right. Then I realized I couldn’t make it right until I understood myself. Who I was without the shadow of abandonment covering everything about me. And I don’t know that I’m ever going to say that my past won’t still be in my mind, but I don’t want it ever to alter my future again.”

  Her eyes held his. Blowing out a little puff of breath, she said, “Aaron, we just weren’t on the same page last year, and that’s okay. I was hurt at the time, but the truth is that sometimes two people who are right for each other just aren’t at the right time for each other.”