The Wrong Bones (Widow's Island #10)(19)

Holstering her gun, Tessa scanned the second bedroom. “It doesn’t look like he’s been using the bedrooms.”

They returned to the main living area. A backpack sat on the coffee table, and blankets were piled on the couch.

She gestured toward the makeshift camp. “Looks like he’s been sleeping out here.”

Logan walked to the sink, which was filled with dirty dishes. The trash can overflowed with garbage. On the stove, a cast-iron pan held oil and burnt bits of food. More flies buzzed everywhere. He turned the faucet handle, but no water came out of the tap. He flipped a wall switch, and an overhead light turned on. “The water is off, but the electricity is on.”

“Found his wallet,” Tessa yelled from across the room, where she was searching the backpack. “And some drugs.” She held up a prescription bottle that held a couple dozen white, oblong pills. “Looks like Vicodin.” She turned the bottle. “Not his prescription.”

“Not surprised.” Logan opened the fridge to find milk, bread, eggs, and bulk bags of onions and oranges. “He’s been using the house for a while. He went grocery shopping and cooked more than a few meals.”

Tessa opened the wallet. “His name is Webb Dwyer. The address on his license is Suquamish.”

“It looks like he’s been squatting here.”

Tessa rested her hands on the duty belt. “Mr. Gorzala probably turns off the water when he’s not in residence to prevent a burst pipe or other leak.”

“But he’d need to leave the electricity on for the sump pump and fire alarms.”

“We’ll need Mr. Gorzala to make a list of anything that’s missing or damaged,” Tessa said. “Let’s get Dwyer to the station. With the way he reacted to our presence, I won’t be surprised if he has warrants outstanding.”

They transported Dwyer to the sheriff’s station. Kurt, having gone on duty at seven, was inside typing on the computer at the second desk. He looked up as they walked inside. “What’s going on?”

“We have a trespasser.” Tessa explained why Dwyer was in custody.

Logan added, “He violated the fire ban too.”

“Idiot.” Kurt glared at Dwyer. “We only have a completely volunteer fire department. We can’t respond to a major wildfire.”

Tessa scanned Dwyer’s fingerprints electronically. Now that he was in custody, he seemed compliant. She gestured toward the chair next to her desk. “Sit.”

Dwyer did. “Can you take off these cuffs?”

“No.” Tessa sat behind her computer.

Logan pulled up a second chair. Sitting, he faced Dwyer and studied him while Tessa read him his Miranda rights.

She typed on her keyboard. “Well, look at that. You have a warrant outstanding, Mr. Dwyer.”

“This is my shocked face,” Kurt deadpanned from across the room.

Dwyer frowned but didn’t respond.

Tessa leaned closer to her screen. “You stalked your ex-girlfriend and violated a restraining order. You urinated on the side of her house and set her car on fire.”

Dwyer admitted nothing, but his face tensed, and his eyes closed halfway. He glared sideways at Tessa. Logan knew she could handle herself. She was smart and well trained. The fact that he still didn’t want her to be alone with Dwyer was completely irrational. Except that there was something about Dwyer . . .

Something disturbing.

As much as Logan hated the term evil, that’s the word that came to mind. Dwyer looked like the type of man who would have a box of bones on hand.

Logan shifted forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Were you in the cemetery last night, Mr. Dwyer?”

Dwyer shook his head. “No. I went fishing, cooked my catch, and turned in early.”

“Did anyone see you?” Tessa asked.

Dwyer gave her a look. “I try to stay out of sight.”

“Wanted men usually do.” She pulled up a photo of Alyssa. “Do you know this girl?”

Dwyer squinted at the screen. Logan couldn’t read his expression.

Dwyer jutted out his chin. “I’m not answering any questions without a lawyer.”

Dwyer couldn’t be compelled to speak. His silence was protected by the very rights Tessa had read him a few minutes before. But innocent people tended to be more cooperative. Criminals always knew their rights. Dwyer was no innocent.

Did Dwyer have more to hide than the outstanding stalking and destruction-of-property charges?

“Why are you on Widow’s?” Logan asked.

Dwyer’s mouth twisted in a smug frown. “I just said I won’t talk without a lawyer.”

Tessa shot Logan a look, and he sat back in his chair, staring at Dwyer until she finished the paperwork and locked Dwyer in the holding cell. “Would you get a status on the ferry?”

“Will do.” Logan shifted to the second desk and pulled up the website on the computer. “Good news: the ferry will be up and running in the morning.”

“Great!” Tessa said. “Bruce can take Dwyer and the bones to the mainland when he starts his shift. We just have to babysit Dwyer until then.”

“I’ll do it,” Kurt volunteered. “I’ll take them on the first ferry at the end of my shift, then have breakfast with my daughter.”