2. Carrie #2
She pushed past him, breath still hard, eyes darting until she spotted the wall-mounted landline in the foyer. Relief nearly buckled her knees. She snatched the receiver, dialed emergency services from memory, her voice clipped and professional when the dispatcher answered.
“This is Captain Carrie Ware, Nantucket Police, badge number—” She rattled it off, forcing her tone steady.
“I’m in Sunset Keys, Florida, temporary residence at the Carlton property on Lost Love Cove.
I’ve discovered a body on the beach near the Marshall residence.
Female, early twenties, no pulse. Request immediate response. ”
The dispatcher confirmed details. Carrie slammed the receiver back onto its cradle, breath catching as she turned.
Arno stood just behind her, eyes wide. “Did you just say… dead body?”
“Yes,” Carrie said, steel in her voice, her eyes narrowing warningly. “Listen to me carefully: don’t tell anyone. We need the scene to be uncontaminated until the police arrive.”
“I won’t.” His voice carried a thrill of fascination, the way twenty-somethings sometimes responded to things that horrified others. Then he added, firmly, “Let me help.”
“That’s not a good idea?—”
“I’m a med student.” His words came fast, almost defiant. He disappeared into the next room, returned with a lanyard and ID card, hospital-issued. “See? I’ve had training.”
Carrie hesitated, instincts warring. Finally, she gave a curt nod. “Fine. But you follow my lead.”
They hurried back down the slope together, Luna bounding ahead.
When Arno caught sight of the body, he froze mid-stride. His breath caught, sharply. Then, before Carrie could stop him, he bolted forward, sand flying under his shoes.
“Arno!” Carrie shouted. “Don’t touch her—she’s gone! I already checked!”
But Arno was already on his knees in the sand beside the body. His hands hovered above the woman’s still body, trembling. His face collapsed, devastation crashing through his features like a wave.
“Oh, no,” Arno whispered. His voice cracked, raw.
“Arno…” Carrie’s heart pounded as realization flooded her. “Do you know her?”
The grief in his eyes and devastation etched in the lines of his face answered her question before his broken words did. “She’s my older sister. Katy.”
Carrie staggered as her heart went out to him. She knelt beside him, her gaze sweeping the woman again. Work clothes. Shoes. Something about it clicked with brutal precision.
Arno’s shoulders shook. “I thought she was just with that guy she’s been seeing. ”
“How long has she been gone, Arno?” Carrie asked him softly.
He didn’t turn his head as he answered. “She hasn’t been home in three days.” His eyes searched the still face, refusing to believe. “I didn’t know. I didn’t—” His voice broke. “I should’ve known something was wrong.” Arno glanced at Carrie. “She never stays away this long. Not when I’m home.”
Carrie steadied herself, reaching out. She laid a hand on his shoulder, firm but gentle. “Arno, listen to me. This is not your fault.”
“I’m supposed to be a doctor.” Arno’s words tumbled out in anguish as tears spilled from his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.
He swiped them away angrily, and Carrie could see him struggling to regain control.
“You must think I’m such a fraud right now.
I’ve seen dead bodies before in class, training, but here I am—” He swallowed hard.
“Blubbering like a kid and wanting to vomit at the sight of…” He couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
“This is different,” Carrie said softly. Her heart ached for the young man. “She’s your sister. No training prepares you for that.”
Arno pressed a hand over his mouth, eyes squeezed shut, fighting to master himself.
Carrie kept her hand on his shoulder, grounding him. “Where did your sister work?” she asked, her detective’s mind slipping back into rhythm. “I’ll call her workplace once I can. See when they last saw her.”
He wiped at his cheek and didn’t answer her questions. It was like he hadn’t even heard it. “ I should’ve known there was something wrong!” His voice fractured, and he broke into a rough cough that was really a sob. “I should’ve known.”
“No,” Carrie said firmly. “You couldn’t have. People hide things. Even from family.”
Luna barked suddenly, ears pricked. Carrie turned sharply and saw movement up the shoreline.
A figure that even under these circumstances made her heart jump at the sight as Matt jogged toward them with Muttley loping at his side.
His stride slowed as he waved, his expression open as he neared.
A smile spread across his lips until he towered above them, and his eyes fell on the body at Arno’s knees.
His face froze, the color draining. He sucked in a sharp breath, staggered to a halt.
Carrie rose quickly, trying to put herself between Matt and Arno. “Don’t,” she warned. “You need to back up and take Muttley home.”
“Is she…” Matt’s eyes were focused on Arno and his sister. “Is she dead?”
Carrie swallowed and nodded. “Please, Matt…” Her voice dropped. “I can’t have you here contaminating the scene.”
“Arno…” Matt pointed.
“It’s his older sister, Katy,” Carrie said softly.
Matt’s frown deepened, confusion cutting across his features. His eyes flicked from Arno to the body, then back to Carrie. He leaned close, his voice low, tight.
“Carrie…” Matt whispered. His words seemed to slice the humid air. “That’s not just Arno’s sister.” His eyes met hers, and she frowned. “That’s Ms. Marshall. The woman from the county office. The one who was fired and had helped me with my deed and renovations for my house.”
Carrie’s stomach plummeted. The world tilted, just slightly, and the cove was suddenly darker around its edges.
She looked back at the body, her breath snagging in her throat.
And for the first time in years, Carrie Ware felt the ground beneath her feet wasn’t solid at all.