Read Online Berried to the Hilt by Karen MacInerney - Free Book Online

murdered,” Audrey spat. “So you don’t have to worry about it any more.”
    With that, she stood up and stormed out of the room, leaving Frank and me to look at each other.
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” I said. “Can I get you a cup of coffee or something?”
    “A whiskey on the rocks might be a better choice, but it’s a bit early,” he said, and sat down at the nearest table. “Have the police been notified?”
    “They’re out at the site now,” I said.
    “The wreck site?”
    “That’s where he was found,” I said.
    He looked out the window. “Where’s the Lorelei ?”
    “Gone,” I said.
    Frank swore, and I disappeared into the kitchen to retrieve the coffee pot. When I returned a few minutes later, Molly and Carl were there too, looking stunned.
    “When did this happen?” Carl asked. “And how?”
    “I don’t know,” Frank said, turning to me. “Do you?”
    “It happened late last night,” I said. “That’s all I know. The police are investigating.”
    “Who found him?” Molly asked.
    I swallowed down the lump in my throat. “Eleazer White.”
    It could have been my imagination, but all three looked relieved.
    _____
    I had just finished clearing the last of the breakfast things and was wiping down counters when the phone rang. It was Charlene; I was surprised, frankly, that she had waited so long to get in touch. “How come you didn’t call?” she demanded when I answered.
    “I didn’t want to call you at three in the morning, and I’ve been doing breakfast service since seven.”
    “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me! I heard from Tania when I got to the store this morning.”
    “Next time I’ll call,” I promised, feeling very tired. And it was no wonder; I hadn’t slept since answering the phone at three.
    “So, give me the scoop! I heard it was that Iliad bigshot, and that somebody strangled him on his own boat.”
    “Not exactly,” I said, and glanced over my shoulder to be sure I was alone. “I’ll tell you, but only if you promise not to say a word to anyone.”
    “Scout’s honor,” she said.
    “You’re not a scout.”
    “You know what I mean, Natalie. I promise, mum’s the word.”
    “It was Gerald McIntire—you’re right about that. Eli found him floating out by the wreck,” I said in a low voice. “He was stabbed.”
    “With what?”
    “I don’t know,” I said.
    “And Eli found him at three in the morning, and called John?”
    “Apparently so.”
    “What was he doing out there in the middle of the night?” she asked. “Unless …”
    I bit my lip. If Charlene, John, and I had all come to that conclusion about our dear friend, then what would the police think?
    “He says he was just guarding the wreck site,” I said.
    “Sounds fishy to me.”
    I sighed. “I know.”
    “What do the police say?”
    “John came back at six; they’re taking the body to the morgue for an autopsy, and they’ve been looking for the boat ever since.”
    “What boat?”
    “The Lorelei . It’s gone missing.” I glanced out the window at the satiny surface of the water. Was the Lorelei under those shiny waves somewhere?
    “Not a good night for Iliad, was it? I hope they had insurance.”
    “I hadn’t thought about that,” I said. “The Lorelei must be worth a lot of money. I wonder who would get the payout if that boat went down?”
    “Worth asking,” Charlene said. “Assuming it was insured, that is. It’s worth asking anyone who might have a motive, really. I can’t stand the thought of Eli going to jail for the rest of his life …”
    “Don’t jump to conclusions,” I said.
    “I’m not,” she said. “I’m just being prepared.”
    “Like a good scout,” I said, automatically.
    “Exactly. Hang on a sec, Nat …” I could hear a murmur of voices in the background, and Charlene telling someone she’d be right there. “Gotta go. Half the island just walked in for a mug-up. I’ll see what the gossip is and call you