“We’ll take the back roads as much as possible.” Cam led the way down the hall and across the lobby. The clerk behind the desk eyed them curiously but didn’t say anything. “I promise to do everything possible to keep you safe.”
She appreciated his conviction, but Cam wasn’t Superman, and this guy seemed to know their every move. How, she wasn’t sure. Grand Haven wasn’t Grand Rapids or Chicago, but it wasn’t that small. They should be able to hide within the twelve thousand residents and pack of tourists. That thought made her hope the Lighthouse Motel wasn’t booked. They’d found a suite here, but this place was more expensive. She couldn’t help but think the smaller, cheaper motels would be at capacity.
Cam shouldered through the exit on the other side of the building. There was a parking lot there, too, with a handful of cars sitting in the spots. They reached the main road, following that for a while until they could turn onto a less-traveled street. At this time of the night, well past midnight, there wasn’t much traffic.
After walking for fifteen minutes without seeing a car, she relaxed. Maybe this would work. Maybe they’d reach the motel without being seen.
“We need to figure out how to identify this guy,” Cam said in a low voice. “I don’t like how he’s keeping us on defense.”
“You mentioned starting with those who didn’t attend the bonfire party that night before Skye was scheduled to leave.” She eyed him in the darkness. “I can’t think of anyone offhand who wasn’t there that night.”
“The only person I remember for sure being absent is Dan Johnson. And if you ask me, he’s our most likely suspect.” Cam turned right at the next intersection. She followed, thinking about Dan Johnson. She’d never cared for the guy. He was too full of himself for her taste.
“I can see why you view him as a suspect. We know Dan had a temper.” She thought back to that day Dan had forcibly dragged Tammy toward the water. The way Tammy’s voice had risen in panic and how Dan had completely ignored her urgent protests. “And that he doesn’t really care about people as much as he should.”
“Yeah. I was so mad at him for what he tried to do to Tammy. But as much as I despise the guy, that’s not enough of a reason to accuse him of murder.” Cam’s expression remained grim as they walked in silence for the next fifteen minutes. In the distance, the piercing brightness of twin headlights made her tense. But then the car turned and headed in the opposite direction.
“I remember Tammy came to the bonfire without Dan,” she said as they covered another half mile. “Wasn’t she talking to Eli Dune?”
“Yeah. She and Eli were cozy that night.” Cam glanced at her. “You think Dan may have come, then noticed how Tammy was sitting beside Eli and decided to stay away?”
“It’s a possibility.” She wished she could remember more about the bonfire. It was one of many nights they’d spent at the lakeshore. Nothing unusual had happened, until two days later when they’d learned Skye was missing. “Maybe Dan ran into Skye on his way back and they hung out together.”
“Too bad we don’t have any proof.” Cam carried their belongings without breaking a sweat. She was impressed at how he’d kept himself in peak physical shape.
Her own stamina was beginning to fade, but she forced herself to keep up. “I don’t remember seeing Tyler Stromberg that night either. Didn’t one of the guys mention he was supposed to meet up with us?”
“That’s right.” Cam’s voice rose with anticipation. “I remember now, everyone was looking for Stromy.” Stromy was Tyler’s nickname. “We need to find out if Stromy still lives in the area.”
“Even if he doesn’t, he needs to stay on our suspect list.” She glanced at him. “Detective Rueger suspects you, and you haven’t been living here all this time.”
“He only suspects me because I was Skye’s boyfriend, and we argued the day before she disappeared.” He sighed. “But I guess you’re right. It would be nice if Stromy did still live here, though, then we could try to talk to him.”
They turned another corner, and the tall red-and-white striped Lighthouse sign was a beacon in the distance. “Does that mean you’re planning to talk to Dan Johnson if he’s still living here too?”
“Yeah, I’d like nothing more than to confront the guy,” Cam said. “But I’m not sure that’s a smart move yet. We need more information first.”
She wanted to point out that Detective Rueger should be the one talking to Dan Johnson and Tyler Stromberg, but she didn’t. If she had a chance to touch base with the detective, she’d make sure he knew there were two guys who weren’t at the bonfire the night before Skye went missing. They should be considered suspects just like Cameron.
Maybe more.
The motel wasn’t far now. Thankfully, she could see the vacancy sign was lit up. Relieved they wouldn’t have to walk to yet another motel, she quickened her pace. Beside her, Bruno did the same.
Inside the motel, Cam approached the front desk. He pulled out his wallet and set a fifty-dollar bill on the counter. “We need a room, and I can only pay in cash.”
The clerk frowned, glanced at the fifty, then scooped it up. “Okay, room eight is available, and it has two double beds.”
“Perfect.” Cam peeled more bills from his roll of cash and slid it over to the clerk.
The clerk handed over two room keys. “Checkout time is ten a.m.”
“Understood. Thanks again.” Cam turned away, gesturing for her and Bruno to head back outside.
The room was clean, but Evie wrinkled her nose at the faint musty scent. Cam flicked the air conditioner on, and instantly, cold air blew from the vents. He set her suitcase on the bed closest to the bathroom and left his duffel on the other. “I’m sorry this setup doesn’t give you much privacy.”
“It’s fine.” She hoped he didn’t notice her cheeks were flushed. “I’ll use the bathroom first, though, if you don’t mind.”
“Have at it.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and pushed his fingers through his short hair.
