Chapter 20
Two weeks later…
H ayes eased back in his Adirondack chair, the stitched-up wound in his side reminding him with a sharp tug that he wasn’t invincible.
He reached for the cold beer sweating beside him on the table and took a slow sip.
The sun had just ducked behind the mangroves, leaving the back patio bathed in soft gold and shadow.
Dawson and Audra sat curled together on the swing, his hand resting protectively on her leg, while Trinity leaned into Keaton on the bench, her bare feet tucked beneath her.
Fletcher had one arm slung around Baily, who somehow made sipping lemonade look like an act of rebellion—of course, everyone was surprised she hadn’t shrugged Fletcher’s arm off.
It was progress, and that was something.
Chloe was perched beside Hayes, her legs pulled up under her, hair tied back, and eyes soft every time they met his.
It had been a long couple of weeks. And for the first time in a long damn time, Hayes felt like he could breathe again.
Dawson broke the quiet first. “It still feels surreal. I mean…Dewey?”
Everyone nodded.
Baily exhaled, crossing her arms. “The town’s rattled. He’s been a staple in Calusa Cove since before I was born. He fixed boats, cleaned up storm damage, and helped build the new dock at the high school. He wasn’t anyone’s best friend, but he was always just kind of there.”
“And he hid fingers in jars out in the Everglades,” Fletcher muttered darkly.
Keaton swirled the ice in his glass. “People are scared. Confused. Some of the families of the victims came forward after the news broke—said they feel peace now. Others are just… angry. Like the betrayal cut deeper because it was someone they trusted.”
“Chloe got hit the hardest,” Audra said gently. “And yet, somehow she’s still standing.”
Hayes reached over, lacing his fingers with Chloe’s. “She’s not just standing,” he said, his voice low but steady. “She’s building something new.”
Chloe smiled, eyes glinting in the amber light. “I handed in my resignation last week. The FBI accepted it yesterday.”
“Are you sure?” Trinity asked. “After everything?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Chloe replied. “I need roots. A reason to stay still. I’ve got that here now.”
Dawson grinned. “I’d say the Calusa Cove PD is lucky to have you. I’m excited to be working with you, especially since Remy is retiring.”
“I’m still keeping Buddy on speed dial, though,” she teased. “Old habits die hard.”
Fletcher leaned forward, his expression shifting. “Speaking of things we haven’t wrapped up…Tripp’s journal.”
Hayes sighed, the air thickening again. “Yeah,” he said. “That thing’s a rabbit hole.”
“We knew Ken had secrets,” Dawson said, voice low. “But Tripp thought he was dealing when he was a kid. Said he caught him red-handed back in high school.”
“That’s one thing,” Keaton said. “But those later entries…the ones where Ken came back after he married Julie? He said something was off with Ken and his new bride. That they were acting shady—and it had to do with the marina and money.”
“But he never said what exactly,” Baily added. “However, we all know about the bad investments and that damn loan. I just can’t believe my brother would have anything to do with that. It doesn’t make sense.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Fletcher said. “Ken and Tripp are dead, so we can’t ask them.”
“I tried calling Julie again.” Baily stared into her drink, as if it had all the answers. “She’s still not taking my calls. I miss my nephews. It’s so not fair.”
“Perhaps she’ll take a call from me.” Keaton drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair.
“We’ll follow the trail. Keep working the angles.
Eventually, we’ll find the answers. But for now, we need to enjoy the fact that we’re all alive, and two of us are bringing new life into the world.
” He patted his new wife’s belly, which had popped in the last couple of days.
Hayes tilted his head toward the fading light. “I don’t know about you all, but I could use a little rest and relaxation.”
Chloe nudged his arm. “Have you told them?”
“Keaton knows.” Hayes smiled and sat up straighter. “I’m going to build a house.”
Fletcher raised a brow. “You?”
“Yeah. On my old property.” Keaton broke into a grin.
“You serious?” Dawson asked. “I mean, this isn’t one of your ‘I thought about it, but I’m gonna change my mind when it comes to signing on the dotted line’ things, is it?”
“Dead serious. I’ve already signed the paperwork and completed the survey. Figured it’s time I stop pretending I don’t want a home of my own.”
“With Chloe,” Fletcher said, smirking.
“With Chloe,” Hayes confirmed, glancing at her like she’d just anchored him to the earth.
“I’ll help you frame the house,” Dawson offered. “Once you’re cleared to lift more than a coffee mug.”
“I’m holding you to it.” He raised his beer.
“And the Crab Shack?” Baily asked, as if she might actually be on board with the idea.
Keaton leaned forward, a spark in his eyes. “We’re putting in a bid. All four of us. Dawson, Hayes, Fletcher, me.”
“A new project,” Fletcher added. “Maybe a place people can bring their catch and have it cooked up right. With music. Community. Something this town needs.”
Chloe laughed, leaning her head on Hayes’s shoulder. “So what? You’re all becoming restaurateurs?”
“Let’s just say,” Hayes said, his hand covering hers, “we’re building more than just houses around here.”
And for the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like something was ending.
It felt like the beginning of everything.
Thank you for reading Murder in Calusa Cove. Next up is Betrayal in Calusa Cove .