Chapter 18
"Well, some of Andrew’s work led to new protected zones that cost fishermen a lot of money,” Amara said. “It’s safe to say he didn’t make a lot of fans in that community.”
I shared a look with Jack.
"Anyone in particular?” I asked.
"I couldn't say. But that was months ago, when the new zones went into effect. I know he got some hateful comments on social media and maybe a few calls at the house. But that was about it.”
I thanked her for the information and offered our condolences, though she wasn't upset at all.
"I think it's safe to say we can scratch her off the list," JD said when I ended the call.
"It's time we talked to Bobby Fallon.”
We headed over to 1215 Castaway Lane. The couple lived in a little yellow bungalow with a picket fence, a red brick walkway, and a red door. A few tall palm trees swayed with the breeze. The colorful flower beds were well-tended.
JD parked the Porsche at the curb, and we hopped out, pushed through the gate, and strolled to the front porch.
I rang the video doorbell, but nobody answered. I peered through the glass in the door and saw into the living room. I cringed and groaned, "Oh shit."
"What is it?”
A body lay on the floor in the living room. The upper torso was just visible through the archway. The tangled raven hair told me it was most likely Tess Fallon.
I put a heavy shoe against the door. It rumbled and shook, then the jam finally splintered. The door flung wide.
I drew my pistol and advanced through the foyer, clearing the corners, moving into the living room.
Tess lay on the floor in a pool of blood that soaked into the dark hardwoods. Shafts of light spilled in through the French doors that opened to the patio.
I knelt down and checked for a pulse. Her cold skin told me she'd been dead at least a few hours. By the looks of things, she’d been stabbed in the belly a few times.
Bloody shoe prints around the body stained the hardwoods. They trailed off toward the back door, fading away.
"Call the sheriff," I said to Jack.
JD and I cleared the rest of the home, looking for signs of forced entry.
There were none. The back door was unlocked.
It didn't take long for first responders to arrive. Camera flashes filled the living room as Dietrich snapped photos. Forensic investigators chronicled the scene. Brenda snapped on her gloves and went to work.
The sheriff looked on with a grim face. "What's the story here?"
I gave him the overview.
"You need to find the jilted husband ASAP."
We were all of the same mind.
Amara wasn’t even on my radar. Isabella had confirmed she was in LA.
With all the squad cars out front, it had drawn a curious crowd. Paris Delaney and her news crew arrived. They hopped out of the van, and the cameraman shouldered his weapon of choice and started soaking up footage.
We started interviewing bystanders, but nobody recalled seeing anything unusual at the house.
I asked the woman who lived next door, Tammy, if she had seen Bobby recently.
She had short red hair, a round face, and a portly figure. Her gorgeous eyes sparkled with intrigue. "I haven't seen Bobby in a few weeks now." She leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone. "To tell you the truth, I think they were having problems."
"That's what I hear.”
Tammy looked excited to trade stories. "I heard she was having an affair with a coworker. What did you hear?"
"Who did you hear this from?”
"People talk. I think Bobby told Sally Jo. Sally Jo can’t keep her mouth shut. She told everybody. I think the whole block knew. Wait till she gets a load of this,” she said with a grin.
It was easy to see Tammy didn't approve of Tess's extramarital activities. She didn't seem disturbed in the least that her neighbor had met an untimely demise. "How did she die?"
"I can't disclose those details.”
"I'm sure you suspect Bobby. Spouses are always suspects, aren't they?”
"Spouses usually have the strongest motive.”
She sighed. "Well, Bobby had good reason.“
"Did you see him come or go from the house recently?"
"I try to keep my head down and mind my own business. I don't concern myself with the affairs of others.”
I stifled a look of disbelief. She sure seemed to know all the gossip around the area.
"I gave her my card and told her to get in touch if she remembered any other details.
She thanked me and batted her eyelashes.
About that time, Brenda and her crew rolled the remains out in a body bag atop a gurney.
Tammy’s eyes rounded at the sight. "Seeing that just makes it all so real," she said. Tammy frowned and shook her head.
"Would you happen to know where we might find Bobby?”
"I heard he was living on a friend's boat.”
"You know the name of the friend?”
She frowned. "I'm sorry, I don't.”
We interviewed a few more people but didn’t get any additional info.
Paris accosted us as we made our way back to the car. “Deputy Wild, what can you tell us?”
I gave her limited details and made a call for witnesses to contact the department. Then I stepped out of frame and dialed Isabella for another favor.