Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(89)

He resisted asking his daughter to list those things one by one.

“Something happened, didn’t it?”

Before he could form a reply, Megan said, “Something you don’t want to tell me because Faith doesn’t want to talk about it, either.”

Troy exhaled. “Sometimes it’s best to leave the past in the past.”

“Is there anything I can do, Daddy?”

“Do?”

“To make things right between you and Faith.”

He considered the offer and could think of nothing. “No, but thanks for asking.”

Troy glanced up and saw Roy McAfee in the doorway. “Let me call you back,” he told his daughter.

“Do you have a visitor?”

“I do.”

Megan sounded disappointed. “I wish it was Faith.”

So did Troy. If Santa was up to granting requests this year, Troy would ask for another chance with her. Unfortunately, all the evidence said there was no Santa.

“Bye, Daddy.”

“Bye for now.”

As soon as he’d replaced the receiver, Roy stepped into his office. Troy motioned for him to take a seat. “What can I do for you?” he asked. It went without saying that his friend wasn’t making a social call. If Roy came to the office, it was on official business.

“Do you have any new leads on the Martha Evans case?” Roy began. He claimed the chair across from Troy, leaned back and ostentatiously made himself comfortable. It was an unspoken way of conveying that he had information to share.

“What makes you ask?” This was a routine they sometimes played out, dodging and feinting until the information was exchanged. Troy liked the private detective and trusted his judgment, but he was the lawman and he made sure Roy understood that.

“I had a visitor yesterday,” Roy said.

“Was this in regard to the missing jewelry?”

A regal nod from Roy.

“Anyone I know?”

Roy hesitated, then inclined his head again.

“As it happens, I had a visitor myself regarding this matter. On Monday as well.”

McAfee lifted his eyebrows. “Anyone I know?” he said, echoing Troy’s own question.

But Troy could be as evasive as his friend. He inclined his head, too.

“My visitor was Dave Flemming,” Roy told him.

“Geoff Duncan came to see me.”

“Did he now?” McAfee went on to tell him everything Dave had said, which was quite a bit.

Troy then revealed that Dave had phoned and asked to speak to him but wanted to wait until after Christmas. After that, Troy was more convinced than ever that his theory was correct.

“Geoff came to tell me he was in a quandary,” he said casually. “Apparently he’s been wrestling with what to do and decided that even if he did lose his job, he couldn’t keep quiet any longer.”

“He told you about Emily Flemming’s visit to the law office.”

“Yes.”

“I thought he might do that.” Roy stood, reached inside his pants pocket and produced the gold watch and a pair of diamond earrings.

Troy immediately recognized both as part of the Evans estate. “You got those from Dave?”

Roy nodded. “He claims the watch was a gift from Martha.”

“And the paperwork was supposed to be in the file, only it wasn’t. Right?”

“Exactly,” Roy said. Then he added, “Dave says he doesn’t know where the diamond earrings came from. He told me he’d never laid eyes on them until his wife showed them to him. She found them in his suit jacket.”

Troy said nothing.

McAfee studied him closely. “I believe him.”

“I do, too.” The sheriff relaxed in his chair and leaned back. “Want to tell me what you’re thinking?”

“Sure thing, Sheriff—if you’re willing to share your thoughts, too.”

Troy chuckled. “I have a feeling we’ve reached the same conclusion.”

“If I were a betting man, I’d lay odds on it.”

“Cards on the table, then?”

“Cards on the table,” Roy said.

Thirty-One

Rachel carried a box of clothes into the living room and stacked it on top of the others. She couldn’t believe she’d allowed Bruce to talk her into an early wedding at this time of year. Christmas!

It was insane.

It was wonderful.

She was eager to wake up in the morning with the man she loved by her side. She’d given notice on her small rental house but had until New Year’s Eve to move everything out.

Jolene burst back into the house. “Anything else?” she asked.

“Take the box on top. It isn’t heavy.” Rachel bent to rearrange the dishes in one carton.

“Okay, got it.” She grabbed it and headed outside to Bruce’s truck.

Bruce, who was entering the house as Jolene went out, held the door for his daughter.

Rachel straightened and rubbed the small of her back. She was astonished by the amount of stuff she’d managed to accumulate during her seven years in this rental. Most of the furniture was second-hand and she intended to donate it to charity, but that still left a lot to pack.

“You’re exhausted,” Bruce said. “Maybe we should all take a break.”