Life was good. But the one thing he despised was someone breaking the law. Especially in the town he was duty-bound to protect, and specifically, when the victim was a close friend. He saw solving a crime like working a puzzle. You might have a lot of little pieces, but eventually they would all get put together.

He reread all the interviews done this week regarding the fire on Kaegan’s ship. He had a feeling there was something he was missing and wasn’t sure what. There was a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. And for some reason his mind kept returning to Kaegan’s slashed tire. He refused to believe it was the work of bored teens.

He stood and stretched a minute before sitting back down. He then pressed the intercom on his desk to summon Trudy Caldwell, his office manager. Trudy was the best office manager a sheriff could have. He appreciated that, and although she claimed she would be retiring soon, she hadn’t yet. Having worked for the previous sheriff, she’d become someone Sawyer had come to depend on over the years.

He heard the knock on the door. “Come in.”

Trudy walked in smiling. No matter what, she always smiled. Often said life was too short not to. “What do you need, Sheriff?”

“I want several video cams pulled.” He then gave her the locations and the dates. Knowing just how efficient she was, he would have the requested videos on his desk within hours.

“What are you doing? Making this movie night here?”

He chuckled. “Yes, something like that.” He was covering for one of his deputies, whose wife was celebrating her birthday.

“In that case, I’ll start pulling these.” Trudy left, closing the door behind her. Sawyer wasn’t sure what he would find on those videos, but he was just certain he would find something.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

“SO YOU HAD an overnight guest on more than one occasion, I hear.”

Bryce made a face at Vashti before bursting out laughing. They were sitting outside on the gazebo that faced the ocean at Shelby by the Sea. It had become their favorite place whenever they spent girl time together.

“I guess it’s good to know Catalina Cove’s gossip pipeline is still in working order. Next time I’ll stay over at Kaegan’s place since very few people will travel out to the bayou to see whether or not I’m sharing his bed.”

Vashti smiled. “Next time? Does that mean the two of you plan to keep it up?”

Bryce shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t see why not. The man is walking testosterone. He has the stamina of a bull.”

Vashti lifted an eyebrow. “And you?”

At that moment, Bryce couldn’t help the gloating look on her face. “The woman benefiting from it.”

Vashti laughed and Bryce joined in. It felt good to talk about Kaegan without any negativity for a change. “Well, keep benefiting from it because it definitely has you in a good mood, Bryce.”