"Failure to check in is a felony," I said.
"Yep, and there is a current warrant out for his arrest. I’m going to send you his mug shot.”
"Thanks. You're the best."
“I know," she said in a cutesy voice before ending the call.
My phone buzzed with Jesse's picture a moment later. He was 38 years old, with curly brown hair and a bushy beard. Hematched the description Talia had given me. She was the first person I sent the photo to.
I texted the photo to the property manager of both locations and to the other residents we had spoken to, hoping to get a hit.
I pulled myself out of bed, took a shower, and went through my morning routine. Afterward, I stumbled down to the main deck, banged on the hatch to JD’s stateroom, then started grilling breakfast in the galley.
Crash joined me not long after. With bleary eyes and hair in all directions, he said, "Smells good."
I was surprised to see him at this hour. "You're up early.”
"Couldn’t sleep.”
"What's that about?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Just kinda wired up.”
Jack joined us a few moments later, and I filled him in on the situation. We dished up plates and feasted on the sky deck, stuffing our faces with blueberry waffles, smothered in maple syrup and butter, crunching on bacon, sipping gourmet coffee.
Talia texted back.[That’s him. That’s the guy who’s been panhandling around the complex. Is that the guy who killed Polly?]
[Don’t know yet. If you see him, call me immediately.]
[If I see him, I'm running the other direction.]
[Smart move.]
The amber rays of morning gleamed the water, and a cool breeze drifted across the deck. If it weren’t for the two homicides, it would have been a brilliant start to the day. I tried to put that out of my mind for a moment and enjoy breakfast.
After we filled our bellies, we bused our plates, and I told Crash to have the boat cleaned by the time we got back. I had no doubt he would recruit the others. It was the unspoken rule of the boat. They could party as much as they wanted, but they had to keep it clean.
Teagan stopped by with the animals, looking as delightful as ever in her bikini top and short shorts. Buddy burst into the salon when I opened the door. He pounced, and I hugged the little Jack Russell.
“I missed you, boy,” I said.
Fluffy seemed slightly less enthused. The aloof white cat took her throne on the sofa and surveyed her underlings.
“Thanks for taking care of them,” I said to Teagan.
“I thought about running off with them, but I figured you’d come looking for me.”
“I would,” I teased.
“What are you guys up to today?”
“Running down leads. Interviewing suspects.”
“Well, I’ll let you get to it.”
“Thanks for everything.”
“Anytime,” she said with a smile.
