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Kit stared at her phone for a long moment, then tapped Sam’s name in her contact list and hit the call button. It didn’t even ring once.
“Kit? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m at Mom and Pop’s and everything’s fine. Just wanted you know that we’ve tracked down Archie Adler. He’d headed up to Catalina on his boat.”
“His boat, huh? Purchased with Shady Oaks money?”
“Money he’d stolen, yeah. He’s set up quite a real estate empire under an assumed name. Owns several pricey homes and has his mom living in one, a friend in the other. Rented out a few others. Coast Guard is bringing him in, and we’re going to question him in the morning. We start at eight if you want to observe.”
“I’ll be there,” Sam said, steel in his tone. “Do you think he stole Benny’s coins?”
Kit had hoped so. “He might have, but I think he’s too tall to be the man leaving Shady Oaks in the surveillance video. According to his driver’s license, Adler’s about six-two and the man in the video can’t be more than five-ten.”
“He still could have killed Crawford and taken the coins from the motel room.”
“That’s possible. Maybe even likely.” The lipstick on Crawford’s genitals bothered her, though. They needed to find whoever had been in his room. Even if Archie had killed Crawford, the lipstick-wearer was still a loose end. Kit hoped it was Faye Evans. At least they knew where she was. “Detective Goddard told us that Crawford knew about the coins.”
“Yes. Crawford told Devon Jones that he’d read about them in a magazine. You’re still thinking Crawford took the coins?”
“He’s the right size. The question is, if he took them, where are they now? We’re assuming his killer took them.”
“Then you’ll find them,” Sam said with simple confidence. “Because you’ll find who killed him.”
His faith meant a lot. “Thank you, Sam.”
“You’re welcome.” He hesitated. “Devon also said that Crawford had been harassing some of the staff at Shady Oaks. They knew not to let him get them alone.”
“Crawford was a real piece of work, wasn’t he? That could be another possible motive for Crawford’s murder.” Sam didn’t say any more, but Kit felt his distress. “Sam? What’s wrong?”
He sighed quietly. “Am I a bad person if I’m glad Crawford’s no longer breathing?”
“No. You’re human, Sam. A very kind human, so don’t give that concern another thought.” She was aware that her tone had softened. She cleared her throat. “Where are you tonight? Did you go back to Shady Oaks?”
“I did. Had movie night with Georgia and Eloise.”
The notion made Kit smile. “Did they give you a makeover and paint your nails?”
His chuckle warmed her to the core. “No, but Eloise nearly had me watching Magic Mike.”
Kit laughed. “I can see her trying that. What did you watch instead?”
“Georgia picked a legal thriller. It was fine. I…just don’t want anything to happen to them. They’re nice old ladies. Eloise is bunking with Georgia.”
“Where are you sleeping?”
“On Georgia’s sofa bed. It’s not all that uncomfortable. Why did you go home? To McKittrick House? Why not go to your boat?”
It took her a beat to find an answer she was comfortable giving. “I needed to see my dog.”
“And your folks, too?” He paused, the silence warm and…sweet. “It’s okay to need someone, Kit.”
That he’d hit the nail so squarely on the head should have made her squirm, but it didn’t. It made her feel seen. Known. Understood.
Cared for.
“Have a good night, Sam. Be careful. We don’t know who’s snipping off loose ends. Call if you need me. I’ll talk to you soon.” She ended the call before he could say another word and she sat staring at her phone for a long time before realizing that she’d forgotten to pass on the greetings from the girls.
No problem. I’ll see him tomorrow.
