The Lost Bones (Widow's Island #8)(21)

“You’ve been a big help, Tammy.”

“I don’t think I told you anything helpful.”

“How long have you been together?” Cate asked as she tried to think of other questions to keep the woman talking.

“Two years.”

“Has Greg ever brought home new-to-you friends? Maybe someone from out of town who stayed overnight a few days? The man we’re looking for is in his midfifties.”

“A single guy?”

“He might have a girlfriend or wife.”

“We had a guy and his girlfriend stay one night last winter. Not sure exactly when, but I know it was after Christmas. I’d say he was around fifty. Greg said they used to work together.”

Bingo.

“Do you remember his name? Or his girlfriend’s name?”

“I don’t remember his, but her name was Leigh.”

Ashlee?

“Was she a lot younger than him?”

“Oh, totally. I wanted to ask her why she was with a guy so much older than her, but I thought that’d be rude. I swear she was barely out of high school.”

“Tammy.” Cate tried to keep the excitement out of her voice. “That sounds like the man we’re looking for. Can you remember anything about where they were going?”

“I’m not sure, but I know Leigh was really excited because they were in the process of moving. She said they were going to have natural lives. I asked what she meant by that, and she said grow their own food, build their own home, and not pollute the planet. Sorta sounded like a bunch of hippie bullshit to me. I don’t think I could live without my TV or internet.”

“Where were they going to find a life like this?” Cate asked.

“Not sure. But Leigh must have said a dozen times how excited she was that they were taking a long ferry ride to get there.”

Cate tried a few more questions but couldn’t pry any more relevant information out of Tammy. Cate thanked her and asked her to call if she thought of anything else.

After ending the connection, she turned to Tessa, who’d been listening with interest to Cate’s side of the conversation.

“I think Tammy just confirmed that Ashlee is with Rich Causey,” said Cate. She gave Tessa a brief rundown of the conversation. “A long ferry ride would definitely put Ashlee and Rich in our area.”

“They could be right here on Widow’s,” said Tessa.

“I don’t think so,” said Cate. “I think Marsha would have known if her seller lived on the island. I think the survivor islands are the right places to start looking, especially knowing what I know about Rich. They’re small. Not many people live on them. We should be able to rapidly cross them off our list.”

“They’re also populated by people who shoot first and ask questions later.”

“Then we’ll be careful. Logan would be ideal to take with us to the islands. He understands these people.” Cate’s brother had encountered the type several times in his job as a park ranger.

“He does.”

“Can you think of anyone else who would be helpful? We can cover multiple islands if we split up.”

“I know one other person.”

Cate looked at her expectantly. Tessa looked away, avoiding her gaze.

“Well? Who?” asked Cate.

“Adam Jacobs.”

Cate rolled her eyes. The young man could handle a boat or seaplane as if he’d been born to it, but his social graces were greatly lacking. Cate had experienced several awkward encounters with Adam since her return to the island last year. “What makes you say that?”

“I know he’s spent some time on a few of the islands. His dad told me Adam had believed he was meant for the lifestyle, but instead he found he appreciates standard plumbing too much. I guess he’s tried a few times. For some reason he thought it would be an adventure every day.”

Cate snorted. “At least he’d know where to find the people on the islands.”

“I think so.”

“I’ll contact him. You check with Logan and see if he can take you to Elias Island tomorrow morning.” She paused. “I’ll even partner with Adam. We can fly to one of the ones that’s farther away,” she said reluctantly.

“Good idea,” agreed Tessa. “I can send Kurt or Bruce along with you. That should help keep Adam from hitting on you and sticking his foot in his mouth.”

“I’m engaged.”

Tessa shot her a side-eye. “You could hold your engagement ring in front of his face and have Henry stand between you, and Adam would still give it a shot.”

“True. I’ll let you know later what I hear from Adam. But let’s plan to leave by six a.m. tomorrow.”

“Done.”

The women parted ways, and Cate headed to her vehicle in the ferry parking lot. She was excited to start searching tomorrow.

Will I finally get Kori some closure?





9


“Is it safe?”

Henry immediately realized his question irked Cate. She stalled, pouring herself some more iced tea before she answered. They were eating a late dinner on their deck, the summer evening warm and the sky a darkening blue. Henry had grilled salmon and prepared Cate’s favorite watermelon, mango, and jalape?o salsa to eat with the fish.