More introductions were made as Jeremy and Harv joined them. Nathan watched Lars size up the new arrivals.

“Come aboard,” Lars said. “I can offer anyone who isn’t flying or on duty a cold one.”

“We’re good,” Harv said.

The interior of Stiegler’s floating home could’ve doubled for a showroom model. Neat to a T. Nathan’s preconceptions had been dead wrong. This man was meticulous and organized. Nothing out of place. Vacuumed. Dusted. No dirty dishes in the sink. Or clothes strewn about.

“You run a tight ship,” Harv said.

“A man’s home is a reflection of how he sees the world.”

“Then you must see the world in a positive way.”

Stiegler popped a Corona. “I do.”

An awkward silence ensued.

“You guys want to know why I’m so positive someone stole my boat and returned it.”

“Yeah, we do,” Nathan said.

“It’s simple. I always tie my mooring rope to the cleat in a special way. Whoever took my boat nearly got it right. It was the same kind of knot, but tied differently. I go left over right on the last part, not right over left.” He waved a hand. “Hell, I know what I know.”

“How easy is it to hot-wire one of these things?”

“I couldn’t say, but they didn’t need to. I’m sure they found my spare key. I keep it on a hook inside the cabinet over the sink. They put it back on the hook backwards.”

“You don’t keep your doors locked?”

“Nope. Despite a few rowdy kids now and then, this is an honest community.”

“Don’t you live on your boat full-time?” Harv asked.

“I do, but I was staying with a cousin in Banning for a few days. But here’s the clincher. I found this under my sofa, just out of sight.” Stiegler pulled a ziplock Baggie from his pocket and handed it to Jeremy. Inside was a piece of dull, silver wire with an offset 90-degree bend on one side. It looked to be about 1/8 of an inch thick. “I’m willing to bet my boat that came from galvanized chain-link fencing. I’ve worked with it before.”

Nathan exchanged a glance with Jeremy. Arthur Kramer’s body had been wrapped in chain link before it went into the water.

“I may not be the brightest bulb in the ceiling, but I’m also willing to bet this has something to do with that body they found a few days ago.”

“This is an important find. Jeremy, can your forensic people magnify the cut edge and try to match it against the fencing found on the body?”

“Yes. It’s like a ballistic signature.”

“I knew it,” Stiegler said. “Pisses me off they used my boat.”

Jeremy tucked the Baggie into his pocket. “Thanks for giving this to us.”