Kenna’s jaw worked as she stared at the figure sitting on the picnic bench. “You haven’t experienced one of Janet Morgan’s scenes.”

There was nothing I could say to that. I’d just have to let my actions speak for me. But as we drew closer to shore, I couldn’t help but imagine a little girl whose mother’s episodes constantly embarrassed or scared her. By the time we reached the beach, I had a decent mad going. “Leave the boards here. We can get them after we deal with her.”

Kenna nodded woodenly, setting her paddleboard down beyond the reach of the tide. When she straightened, she gave an almost imperceptible roll of her shoulders. Preparing for battle. I had the sudden urge to stand between her and the woman at the picnic table, but I knew it wouldn’t be appreciated.

Kenna strode towards Janet but stopped a few feet away. “You’re drunk.”

“Whaths it to ya?” Janet slurred as she pushed to her feet. She wobbled and stepped to the side, revealing a tipped-over bottle of Taaka vodka. I winced. She might as well have been drinking jet fuel.

“Please tell me you didn’t drive.”

Janet took a shaky step forward. “I walked, but it’s none of your business. You’re too fancy for your mother now. Harriet thook you, and now you think you’re hot shit. But you’re nothing.”

I stiffened. “Ms. Morgan—”

Kenna held out a hand to stop me. “Do me a favor and grab our stuff, would you?” I didn’t want to take a step away from Kenna. I didn’t trust Janet not to attack her. “Please, Crosby?”

I nodded and jogged to our towels, grabbing them and my keys quickly.

“Got yourself a new fancy boyfriend, huh? Bet this one leaves you, too. Just try not to get knocked up this time.”

Kenna kept every reaction from her face. It was only her clenched hands, knuckles bleached white, that gave away how that blow had landed.

“Go wait in the car.” My thumb had already hit a contact in my phone, and the other line was ringing.

“I’m not going anywhere. Who are you calling?”

“Parker.” The sheriff could deal with this horrible excuse for a human being.

“Oooohhhh,” Janet stumbled back against the bench. “He as hot as you? We gonna have a threesome?”

Parker answered on the third ring. “Hey, Crosby.”

“Any chance you got someone on Anchor?” The chain of islands shared sheriff’s department officers for most of the year, the smaller islands like Anchor only having dedicated deputies during the high-traffic summer months.

“I’m on the island, actually. Just finishing up lunch at The Catch. What’s going on?”

“Can you come over to Brookings Inlet? We’ve got a bit of a situation.”

“That’s all you’re going to give me?”