Chapter 10
They took the elevator to his suite, where he assisted her into the bathroom.
While she was peeling off her ripped shirt, he started the water in the sunken marble tub, circular, with jets.
He added some bath salts from the collection provided, making sure it contained Epsom salts.
If that didn’t improve Tina’s mood, nothing would.
“You can go now,” she said, when he stood up from that task. She’d taken off her boots and her ruined shirt, but still wore her pants and a black bra. Her body, what he could see, was toned and lithe, but he tried not to stare too blatantly.
“You might need help getting into the tub. All this marble is dangerous.”
“I’m fine.” Less firmly, she added, “Thank you. You’ve been a real help and I do appreciate it. As soon as that Tylenol comes—”
“I’ll bring it in. Blindfolded. And if you need help with a bandage, I got that too.”
She managed a weary smile as he left her alone.
Out in the carpeted living area of the suite, he paced from one end to the other, discharging the energy that had built up in his body from the shooting. Of all things to happen in this peaceful little corner of the world.
But he knew perfectly well that Sea Smoke Island wasn’t immune to the problems that plagued the rest of society.
Just look at how the inn had been built, the land claimed by chasing away an entire community of folks with no resources to fight back.
And then there was all the drama involving the Carmichael family even to this day.
It occurred to him—could one of the Carmichaels be involved in this shooting? None of them would need the marina manager in order to take out a boat. In fact, they might be the only ones who could do so. They probably all knew where the keys were, and which boat would work for which purpose.
On impulse, he called Luke Carmichael; his number was publicly listed as the constable.
“This is Jack, just met you on the dock with Officer Chen.”
“Hey, how’s she feeling?” Luke sounded distracted, as if he was juggling a number of tasks, which no doubt was the case.
“Better. I’m checking in about the whereabouts of the members of the Carmichael family today.”
The next time Luke spoke, Jack could hear him more clearly. He must have stepped away and decided to focus on this convo. “Why? Is this for Chen?”
“Yes.”
Not exactly a lie.
“Well, far as I know, Barnaby is with Gabby upstate somewhere. They’re combining story research with a climb up Mount Washington.
My father is in Portland seeing his neurologist. I believe that my sister Fiona took him because Judy Griffin was busy.
Rudy and Rufus are backpacking in Italy to celebrate graduating college.
That’s all the Carmichaels I can think of. ”
“So you’re the only one on the island at the moment?”
“I guess, but I’m sort of a Carmichael in name only. I got disinherited years ago. Does all that help?”
“Maybe. I’ll pass it on to Tina. Thanks, Constable.”
“What did you say your name—?”
Jack hung up before Luke could finish the question. He was enjoying the anonymity and saw no reason to end it prematurely.
“What was that about?” Tina stood in the doorway of the bathroom, steam swirling behind her, a fluffy towel wrapped around her body. Her hair was wrapped in another towel, turban-style. All those towels made her look tiny, and he fought the impulse to swoop her up and plop her onto his lap.
“That was a short bath.”
“Just taking a break. I heard you on the phone. It sounded important. Is my Tylenol coming?”
On cue, a knock sounded at the door. He collected all of the supplies she’d requested from the arms of the bellhop.
She reached for the bottle of Tylenol with greedy fingers. “Gimme.”
“Let me get you some water—” He broke off as she swallowed down two capsules dry.
“Water’s for nerds,” she said when she was done. A drop of water ran down her face. He tucked a strand of black hair back under the towel. “Who were you talking to?”
“Luke Carmichael. But it was a dead end.” He explained the thinking behind the call, and what Luke had told him.
“So Luke’s the only one in the family who’s on the island right now?” she said thoughtfully when he was done.
“Yes, but there’s no chance he did it.”
“Of course not. I spoke to him on the phone while the bullets were flying. And why would he shoot up his girlfriend’s mother’s café, with his girlfriend inside?”
He’d forgotten about that part. Heather had been behind the counter the last time he’d seen her. “Like I said, dead end.”
“Maybe. But maybe it’s no coincidence that there were no Carmichaels around and it was the marina manager’s day off.”
“You mean Chad.”
“He hasn’t called, has he? I thought it might be him.”
“No Chad yet.”
“Please stop staying Chad. Bro names make my head hurt.” She rubbed her temples, making him laugh.
“So you think the shooter might have known that no one was around and it would be a good opportunity to steal one of the Carmichaels’ boats?” he asked after a moment.
“Maybe. Can’t rule it out. We need to find out where the Devil May Care is now. Where’s my phone? I need to call Luke and see if he’s contacted the Coast Guard yet.”
“No,” he said firmly. “You need to get back in that bathtub and soak some more. Then we need to dress your arm. Luke’s on it. He’ll reach out when he has something.”
She glared at him, and for a moment the air between them crackled with energy. He could feel it traveling under his skin like invisible lightning. His groin tightened and his breath halted.
Finally she lifted her chin proudly. “Fine. But if my phone rings, bring it to me.”
“Yes, Officer.”
It wasn’t until she’d disappeared back into the bathroom and closed the door behind her that he slumped onto the couch like a puppet with its strings cut. Tina-in-a-towel had quite an effect on him.