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“Yes, I do,” Theodosia said.
They drifted with the current for a minute or two, listening, glancing toward shore just in case the killer had hidden his boat among the reeds and bushes. Then, as they slowly rounded the far tip of another small island, Theodosia caught shadowy movement and heard the sound of a small boat puttering away.
“There they are!” she cried, gesturing for Drayton to hurry up and change places with her. “Drayton, you steer the boat while I call Riley.”
“Steer a boat? I’ve never...” But he cut his argument short as he obligingly took her place at the rear of the boat and grabbed the tiller.
“You see those tiny red and green lights? They’re about to disappear if we don’t kick it into high gear.”
“Yes, yes.” He fumbled with the motor.
“I’m fairly sure that’s the boat with Booker’s killer on board.” Theodosia gestured in the direction of the elusive craft, and added, “Better punch it, he’s probably spotted us, so he’ll start pouring it on.”
“I’ll do my best,” Drayton said gamely as he hastily increased their speed.
Theodosia sat down, grabbed her phone, and quickly hit speed dial. When Riley answered she had to shout to be heard above the roar of the motor. “You’re not going to believe this!”
“Believe what?” Riley asked. He sounded calm, relaxed. Like maybe he’d even enjoyed a nice refreshing beverage or two.
“Drayton and I dropped by Little Clam Island where Booker has a studio.”
“Where are you?”
“It’s one of those teeny islands off the tip of James Island,” Theodosia said.
“What are you doing there?” Now Riley was confused.
“Looking for Booker, the artist.”
“Whoa. And you found him?”
“I not only found Booker, he’s dead,” Theodosia shouted. “It looks like he was murdered. That some weasel snuck in and shot him. Then tried to make it look like a suicide.”
“What!”
“I said some weasel shot him and...”
“No, I got that part just fine. What I’m asking is... wait, never mind. You said Little Clam Island?”
“Well, we were there. Now we’re chasing after the killer in a boat.”
“No!” Riley cried. “Don’t do that. Please don’t do that. Oh man, I’ve got to call the boss.”
“You mean Tidwell?”
“Of course. And notify the Coast Guard, too,” Riley said.
“Now there’s a good idea, I’m sure they could be very helpful.”
“To be clear, Booker’s at Little Clam Island?” Riley said. “Because I’ve also got to dispatch a team of...”
Theodosia cut in. “You might also want to...”
“What?” Riley said.
“Send a coroner.”
***
