He was still crouched behind the stack of wood, firing in the bad guy’s direction. When he saw her, he sprinted for the SUV while still shooting with one hand. The moment he jumped in, she floored it, fishtailing a little as she sped toward the main road that would take them back to town.

  They barely went a mile before Tassie stopped right in the middle of the road. She sat there gripping the wheel with shaking hands, heart hammering in her chest.

  “You okay?” Jack asked.

  She nodded. “Just a little shaken up.” Okay, a lot shaken up. “Can you drive so I can hold Baxter?”

  Normally, she’d want her pup in his carrier, but right now, he looked like he could use a cuddle. And if she was being honest, so could she.

  “Yeah,” Jack said, opening the door.

  While he strode around to take the wheel, Tassie gently moved Baxter to the seat, then climbed over the center console to sit on the passenger side. Baxter nimbly jumped onto her lap as Jack slid into the driver’s seat. She wrapped her arms around her fur baby and let out a sigh of relief as they started down the road again, beyond grateful he hadn’t been hurt.

  “You did good back there,” Jack said, glancing at her. “Both of you.”

  “Thanks.” Tassie caressed Baxter’s ears. “Does this kind of thing happen to you a lot?”

  He let out a snort. “Getting shot at? No. But someone definitely didn’t want us snooping around that cabin.”

  That was true enough. Though how that someone would explain two dead bodies outside the cabin was anyone’s guess. Perhaps they hadn’t thought that part through.

  “I think we can now safely say that David is the killer,” she said.

  Because who else could it be?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Jack called the station on the way back to Bluewater Bay to get officers out looking for David. Because searching the woods would probably be a waste of time since he almost certainly hightailed it out of there, they were checking his home and the usual places he frequented, starting with his charter fishing business.

  “You don’t think he left town already, do you?” Tassie asked worriedly.

  While she was concerned about David coming after her—and Jack—again, she was also nervous about what that could mean for Sara. They couldn’t convince anyone she didn’t murder Conrad unless they proved David did.

  “I don’t think so,” Jack said with a shake of his head. “There’s nothing to make him think we recognized him out in those woods. More likely, he’ll keep doing what he’s been doing, hanging around town and acting like he’s innocent. Which makes me wonder why he tried to kill us today.”

  Tassie had been wondering that too. Unless there was something incriminating in the cabin that directly tied him to Conrad’s murder, it didn’t make sense.

  “Maybe he panicked?” she suggested.

  “Maybe,” Jack agreed.

  Chief Pennington was waiting for them when they arrived at the police station. Well, actually, he was waiting for Jack. Tassie wasn’t even sure the man noticed she was there. That was fine with her. Hugh Pennington was nice enough, but she’d prefer not to have to answer all sorts of questions about why she was snooping around Conrad’s cabin. She doubted he’d take kindly to an amateur detective poking her nose into a murder investigation.

  Not every cop was as understanding as Jack.

  “Why don’t you and Baxter go ahead and wait in my office while I talk to the chief,” Jack said to her softly.

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  Tassie sure as heck wasn’t going to argue. In all honesty, she didn’t feel safe wandering around town with David out there. She wasn’t sure how the man had known they’d be at his cabin unless he’d been following her since she’d stopped by For Reel Sportfishing. That was a creepy thought.

  Had he seen her talking to Allen earlier? If he had, then Allen could be in danger too. She hated to think of something happening to the poor guy because he’d tried to help her.

  Unfortunately, Jack was already in Chief Pennington’s office giving him a rundown on what had happened at the cabin, so she’d have to wait until he was finished to tell him about Allen. Too bad she hadn’t thought to get his phone number when he asked her out for coffee. Then she could have checked on him herself. But she supposed that would have been weird. Especially since she wasn’t going to accept his invitation.

  Sighing, she and Baxter walked into Jack’s office. His desk—which was amazingly tidy—was situated in front of the window so he could sit facing the door while he typed on his computer or did paperwork. Tassie ignored the two chairs in front of the desk and, instead, walked over to look at the framed awards and commendations on the wall near the filing cabinet while Baxter sniffed around, exploring every nook and cranny. Along with the letters of commendation—there were quite a few—there was also a Prestigious Service Medal, a Mayor’s Achievement Medal, and a Medal for Bravery from back in Albany.

  Considering how he’d saved her life and Baxter’s today, Tassie could definitely see how he’d gotten that last one.

  Hmm. She wondered if civilians could nominate awards like that in Bluewater Bay.

  Did the Bluewater Bay Police Department even give out awards? She’d have to remember to ask Lucy.

  Tassie turned to check what Baxter was doing and saw him standing over by the window, pushing the horizontal blinds aside with his nose so he could see outside. He liked to do the same thing at home. It always made her smile. He’d totally cornered the market on cuteness.

  She reached into her purse for her phone, figuring she’d scroll through Instagram while she waited for Jack, but it rang the moment she picked it up. She glanced at the screen to see Lucy Face Timing her. Tassie swiped the green button to answer.

  “Hey!” Tassie said.

  “Hey yourself!” Lucy was leaning back on her couch in the living room on a stack of pillows, hair up in a ponytail. “I just heard on my scanner that the cops are looking for David Campbell.”

  “You listen to your police scanner on your day off?”

  “The baby likes it,” she said with a shrug. “But back to David Campbell. They think he murdered Conrad.”

  Tassie nodded. “I know.”

  “You do?” Lucy pulled the phone closer, scrutinizing the collection of frames on the wall behind Tassie. After a moment, recognition dawned on her face. “Wait a minute. Are you in Jack’s office?”

  “Yeah. Jack came with Baxter and me to Cutler’s Cove to talk to Conrad’s ex-girlfriend. Then we stopped at David’s cabin by Waverly Lake on the way back because we thought there might be something there to tie David to Conrad’s murder. Long story short, someone started shooting at us.”

  Lucy’s eyes went wide. “What?! Oh, my gosh! Are you and Baxter okay?”

  “Yeah, we’re both fine.” Tassie smiled. “Thanks to Jack.”

  He honestly had been amazing back at the cabin. She still didn’t know how he’d stayed so cool, calm, and collected when they’d been getting shot at. She didn’t know what she would have done if she and Baxter had gone up there by themselves.

  They’d both probably be dead right now.

  She shuddered, not even wanting to think about that.

  “Are you at the station to give your statement or…? Lucy asked.

  Tassie gave herself a mental shake, refusing to think any more about how differently things could have gone at the cabin if Jack hadn’t been with them.

  “Jack wanted us to wait here while he talked to Chief Pennington,” she said. “I think he’s worried about David coming after us. I have to admit, I’ll feel better when the cops arrest him.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Speaking of which, I need to call Abby and let her know what’s going on,” Tassie said. “Isaac is at the shop with her, but I want them to keep an eye out for David in case he comes looking for me there.”

  “Good idea. Just promise me that you’ll stay with Jack until they catch David, okay?”

  “I will,” Tassie assured her.

  After hanging up, she called her sister to fill her in on what had happened at the cabin. Abby was as worried as Lucy and was relieved she and Baxter were sticking close to Jack until they found David.

  “You and Isaac be careful too,” Tassie said just as Jack strode into his office. “Jack just walked in. I’ll call you later.”

  She dropped her phone into her purse and gave him an expectant look. “Anything?”

  Flashing her a grin, he bent to pet Baxter, who had immediately pranced over to greet him, tail wagging. “A couple of officers picked up David a few minutes ago. They’re bringing him in now.”

  Relief coursed through her. “That’s great!”

  Jack straightened. “We still have to place him at the cabin and find something to tie him to Conrad’s murder but we’re that much closer to clearing Sara’s name.”

  Tassie felt another surge of relief at that. “I’m going to go give Sara the good news. Come on, Baxter.” She smiled at Jack. “Thank you.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

  “Maybe. But don’t worry. I won’t tell the chief,” she teased.

  Jack chuckled. “I’ll call you later.”

  “I’d like that.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  It didn’t occur to Tassie that Sara might not be home until she pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw her friend’s car parked in its assigned space. Collecting Baxter from his carrier, she went inside and hurried up the stairs to Sara’s place.

  When it took a little while for her friend to answer, Tassie wondered if maybe she wasn’t home after all but then heard voices inside. A moment later, Sara opened the door.

  “Tassie!” she said. “Come in.”

  As she walked into the apartment, Tassie caught sight of Tristan in the kitchen. He was at the stove stirring something in a skillet, Roxie at his feet watching his every move. He glanced over his shoulder at Tassie.

  “Hey,” he said, giving her a grin.

  She waved, returning his smile as she unclipped the leash from Baxter’s harness so he could visit with Roxie. Whatever Tristan was cooking for dinner, it smelled delicious. It also reminded her that she hadn’t eaten anything since the mini cupcake she’d gotten that morning at Gwen’s.

  Behind her, Sara closed the door before leading the way into the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?”

  Actually, she was kinda thirsty. “A bottle of water would be great if you have it.”

  Sara opened the fridge to take one out, handing it to her. “So, what’s up? You didn’t change your mind about the teddy bear soaps, did you?”

  “No! Not at all,” Tassie said. “I’m here because I have good news! The police just arrested Conrad’s business partner for his murder a little while ago.”

  Both Sara and Tristan stared at her in surprise, like they weren’t sure they’d heard right.

  Tristan stopped stirring, hope in his eyes. “Seriously?”

  Tassie nodded, giving them a smile. “Yup. I was at the police station with Jack—Detective Sterling—when they picked David up.”

  Sara glanced at Tristan before turning back to Tassie. “Does that mean I’m not a suspect anymore?”

  “According to Jack, this all but clears your name,” Tassie told her, still grinning. “The lawyers probably still have to do official paperwork to drop the charges against you though.”

  Sara squealed and hugged Tristan. Tassie laughed as he spun her about right there in the kitchen, Roxie dancing excitedly around them.

  “This means we have two things to celebrate now!” Sara exclaimed when Tristan set her down on her feet again. “An A&R rep from a record label is coming to listen to Tristan’s band play this weekend!”

  “That’s fantastic! Congratulations!” Tassie said, then added, “Although, I’m not sure what an A&R rep does exactly.”

  Sara laughed. “I didn’t know what they did either until Tristan told me. An A&R representative is from the artists and repertoire division of a record label. They find new bands for them to sign.”

  “Oh!” Tassie said. “Then congratulations are definitely in order.”

  Tristan gave her a smile that was almost embarrassed. “Thanks. Don’t tell anyone but I think my mom had something to do with getting the guy to come to town. I overheard her talking on the phone to someone a couple weeks ago about our band. Since she told the person on the phone she didn’t want anyone knowing what she was doing, I didn’t let on I heard.”

  Sara leaned in to kiss his cheek. “It doesn’t matter what brought the guy here because once he hears your band he’s going to sign you to a record deal on the spot!”

  Well, now Belinda’s phone conversation Tassie had overheard at the art gallery made way more sense. She’d been talking to someone from a record label, not a hitman.

  “So, what made the cops finally look at my old man’s business partner?” Tristan asked, glancing at her as he gave the chicken and pasta in the skillet a stir.

  Tassie took a sip of water. “A guy who works at the fishing charter said that after Conrad won the lottery, he and David fought all the time. Apparently, Conrad wanted to dissolve their partnership and David wasn’t having any of it. A few days before the murder, the two of them got into a huge fight in David’s cabin up at Waverly Lake, and when Jack and I went to check it out, someone shot at us. It had to be David.”

  Sara exchanged startled looks with Tristan.

  “Thank goodness you’re okay,” she said, then frowned. “Wait. Why were you at the cabin with Detective Sterling?”

  Tassie gave her a sheepish look. “Remember when I told you Baxter and I have sort of been doing some investigating of our own to help clear your name? Well, this is some of what we’ve been doing.”

  Sara appeared equally stunned at that. Her eyes misted with tears, and she rushed over to wrap her arms around Tassie, hugging her tightly. “I know you said you were helping the police, but… Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She pulled away to smile at Baxter who was standing beside Roxie. “You too, Baxter.”

  Tassie smiled. “It was the least we could do. Hopefully, David will confess to the murder. Otherwise, Jack will have to find evidence to link him to the crime.” Considering they hadn’t been able to do it before, that could prove difficult. But she didn’t want to mention that to Sara. “Are you sure you didn’t see anyone else in Conrad’s house that day you fought with him? Because if Conrad’s neighbor didn’t see anyone else go inside besides you, that means David must have already been there.

  Sara shook her head. “I didn’t see anyone. But I suppose they could have been in another room, or even upstairs. I didn’t look around. I was too focused on telling Conrad off.”

  Tassie leaned back against the counter with a sigh. “I wish there was some way I could get into Conrad’s house to look around.”

  She could ask Jack but since it was probably still considered a crime scene, he might not be thrilled with the idea.

  “Didn’t the cops already do that?” Sara asked.

  “Probably not. A witness saw you leaving the house and your fingerprints were on the murder weapon. There’d be no reason for them to search it. Even if they did, maybe Baxter and I could pick up something they missed.”

  Tristan placed a lid on the skillet then turned to look at her. “You know, my old man left everything to me, including the house, so I have a key if you want to go over there and look around.”

  Tassie pushed away from the counter. “Um, yeah. If you’re cool with that.”

  “If there’s something that gets them to drop the charges against Sara, I’m definitely cool with it.”

  He walked into the entryway to take a set of keys out of the small wicker basket on top of it, then came back and handed them to her.

  “One key opens the front door and other key opens the back but I’m not sure which is which,” he said apologetically.

  “No worries. I’ll figure it out,” she said. “I’ll text if I find anything.”

  Because if there was anything there to find, she’d find it.

  Even if it took all night.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “On second thought, let’s hope this doesn’t take all night because I don’t feel like hanging around a house after dark where not one but two people were murdered,” Tassie said to Baxter as she unlocked the front door of Conrad’s house, absently noting that the crime-scene tape was gone. The sun was already low on the horizon as it was but she didn’t want to wait until morning to do this. She wanted to make sure this investigation was wrapped up in a nice pretty bow before then. “What about you?”

  Beside Tassie, Baxter gazed up at her in agreement.

  “Okay,” she said. “Let’s do this.”

  Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and led the way inside, then closed it behind them. There was a light switch to her left and she quickly flipped it on. A bright glow from overhead bathed the entryway.

  The last time she was here, Conrad’s body was stretched out on this same floor, that heavy model wooden ship beside him. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little creeped out.

  But Sara was depending on her. The faster they searched, the faster she and Baxter could get out of here.

  “So where should we start?” she asked Baxter.

  He looked around as if trying to decide before gazing up at her again.

  “A home office—if Conrad had one,” she said. “Good idea. I was thinking that too.”

  Tassie made her way through the house with Baxter one room at a time, turning on lights as they looked for the aforementioned home office. The more she saw of the place, the more she realized it was like one of those popular internet memes come to life.

  Tell me you like fishing without telling me.

  Because the living room, dining room, kitchen, and even the bathroom all had something related to fishing. From a large-mouth bass sculpture to a ship’s wheel to a lamp made out of an antique boat motor to a mirror with carved rainbow trout on the frame, this house had it. Conrad had seriously liked fishing.