Whisper of Bones (Widow's Island #3)(15)

“Totally plausible, considering the lividity timeline.” Tessa skimmed the printout of the Taproom receipts. “There weren’t any food orders between two o’clock and three thirty. Three beverage orders were served, but the receipt doesn’t list the server. Plus all the bills were paid in cash. No way to trace the customer.”

“So there’s no way to verify that Heather actually returned to work after her two o’clock break.”

“Right.” Thinking, Tessa tapped a finger on the printout. “Maybe she didn’t intend to kill him. She could have struck him in the heat of the moment.”

“It would make sense to wait until dark to dispose of the body,” Logan agreed. “Jason didn’t have any close neighbors, but they wouldn’t want other boaters to be able to see what they were doing. Jason’s current wife could have done the same thing.”

“Yes,” Tessa said. “Sarah’s alibi would be stronger if it was verified by someone other than her mother.”

“Where are we going next?”

“The inn at Smuggler’s Point that Jason remodeled is on this side of the island. Let’s talk to Roger Duvall next. Kurt emailed me about him. Would you read it?” Tessa drove out of the parking lot. She rotated the dashboard computer to face Logan.

He read the email. “Here are the highlights. Roger Duvall is a retired lawyer from Seattle. He moved here eighteen months ago when he bought the inn. He’s fifty-seven years old, drives a Porsche Cayenne, and has no criminal record. A twenty-foot outboard is registered to him. So we know he can pilot a boat.”

The drive from Jason’s house to Bishop Bay took fifteen minutes. Tessa spotted a large sign on the road that read Smuggler’s Inn. She turned onto a long private driveway lined with apple trees and parked at the end.

“They kept the original farmhouse.” Logan stepped out of the vehicle.

Tessa scanned the property. On the right, the three-story farmhouse sat on a hill with a stunning view of the bay. She pointed to a long building to her left and counted twelve doors. “Looks like they converted the old barn into guest rooms.”

“And those outbuildings as well.” Logan pointed to six tiny cabins tiered on the steep hillside.

In a grassy area between the guest quarters and main house, a pool had been added. Chaises, tables, and chairs were lined up in rows on a pool deck made of brick pavers. There were several small outbuildings scattered around the property. Tessa counted three sheds and an old pump house. A long garage stretched out behind the house, and a dilapidated boathouse squatted by the water.

The whine of a power tool cut through the quiet.

Tessa led the way to the front door of the farmhouse and knocked. A young woman answered. “Can I help you?”

Tessa introduced herself and Logan. “We’re looking for Roger Duvall.”

“I’m Emma Dean.” Straightening her long blonde ponytail, she stepped out onto the front porch. “Roger is working in one of the cabins today.” She shaded her eyes with a hand. “I’m not sure which one, but you can follow the noise.”

“What is your relationship with Mr. Duvall?” Tessa asked.

Emma’s eyes brightened. “I’m going to be in charge of housekeeping for the inn when it opens.”

“How’s the job so far?” Tessa asked.

Emma shrugged. “So far, so good. Right now, all I’m doing is ordering supplies and interviewing potential staff.” She checked her watch. The squeal of brakes announced the arrival of a school bus at the end of the driveway.

Emma’s whole face lit up as she watched a child jump off the bus. “That’s my daughter, Abby.”

Tessa smiled. “Where did you work before?”

“I managed a bed-and-breakfast on the mainland,” Emma said.

“Are you from the island?” Tessa asked. “Not many people move to Widow’s Island.”

Emma lifted a thin shoulder. “The bed-and-breakfast closed, and I was out of work for six months. Moving is no big deal when the alternative is being evicted from your apartment. Besides, room and board are included for me and Abby. I feel pretty lucky to have this job.”

Tessa asked, “Did you know Jason McCoy?”

“Yes.” Emma’s expression darkened. “But he was working in the cabins, and I’ve been busy in the house. We didn’t interact very much.” Her tone suggested she was grateful for that.

“Did you like him?” Tessa prodded.

The corners of Emma’s mouth tipped downward. “No. He wasn’t a nice man.”

“In what way?”

Her frown deepened. “I shouldn’t talk about him. He’s dead.” Her eyes widened. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? Because he was murdered.”

Tessa admitted nothing. “This isn’t gossip. It’s an investigation. I need to know. Why didn’t you like Jason?” Tessa didn’t want to lead her witness, but she wondered if Jason had hit on the pretty young girl.

Emma inhaled and let out the breath slowly, as if thinking about her answer. “Jason was a bully.”

“To you?” Tessa asked.

“To everyone,” Emma said vaguely.

Tessa glanced at Logan. He was quieter than usual. His eyes weren’t on Emma. He was watching the child running toward them. Two red ribbons bounced at the ends of her pigtails.