Read Online Death By Sunken Treasure (A Hayden Kent Mystery Book 2) by Kait Carson - Free Book Online

didn’t want to. I needed more information to know what questions to ask. My mind raced over everyone I could think of through the pain. A grey Fish and Wildlife Commission pickup driven by an officer I didn’t recognize pulled into the lot and parked.
    That was the perfect solution. Janice Kirby, a good friend and an FWC officer. She might be able to offer me a new, more balanced perspective about Mike’s life and death. As a “grouper trooper” she would be following the events closely. Since the death occurred in water, maybe FWC had taken over the investigation.
    I slid into the caramel-colored leather seat and hit the ignition button. The motor started silently. I tapped the phone button to call Janice. I shared as much as I could, given confidentiality issues. Then I asked about The Petard and Mike’s death. My breath caught in my throat anticipating her response. Whose version would her story support?
    “Hayden,” she started slowly. “Mike’s death is an open investigation with the sheriff’s office. Have you spoken with them? All I know is secondhand information. It’s a strange death for someone with Mike’s experience and skills.” Her voice dropped. It sounded like her fingers rested over the phone speaker. I heard a static jumble that could have been a radio call. The static cleared and she said, “From what I’ve heard, his last week was rather unusual. A lot of…things happened. The investigation has really ramped up.”
    What the heck? Why didn’t Diego call me? Or was it still his investigation? Memories of what I learned about Mike since last Thursday shot through my memory like a pinball game on steroids. My finger gripped the steering wheel. “So much stuff is going on, and Mike’s body only surfaced three days ago. I wanted to get an update, just a gist of what’s happening. Something to help us get a clear path for the estate proceeding.”
    “No one from Monroe County has spoken to you yet?”
    The police spoke to Buddy. Not to Grant. Why? The answer lurked behind the pain in my head. It was there, I just couldn’t claw it out. “No, no one. Not that I know of. I mean, I spoke to Deputy Diego on Monday. But it was more about Dana.” I paused for a beat, and a clear thought cut a pathway through the pain haze. “We didn’t file our will until late last evening. I did tell Deputy Diego we represented the estate. I expect we’ll have a call from them today.”
    Janice cleared her throat. “Most likely. If not, you need to call them again. All the agencies are on alert for more information. There’s a lot of pressure right now to work this investigation. New developments. They’ll call your boss, at least. Last I heard, and that was this morning, there is some suspicion the accident may have been staged.”

Eight

      
    Janice’s words confirmed the sinking feeling I had in the pit of my stomach when I thought of Mike. I put my car in gear and backed out of the space. Bright sunlight shone in my eyes as I headed due east to my office. Heat devils, those mirages that happen on hot Florida Keys roads, imitated my thoughts, shimmering and disappearing when I got closer. Who could have staged the accident? Mike? Someone else? Why? To cover up a murder? Mike’s murder? My brain was full. No wonder it hurt.
    My cell phone beeped a reminder tone as I exited the Long Key Bridge. I glanced from the road for a second. “Dinner with Dana, buy wine” popped up on the screen. I cringed inwardly. What was I going to say to Dana? Especially now.
    The discomfort embarrassed me so much I considered canceling dinner. I mentally slapped myself. Dana would never abandon me. No way could I let her down. Janice never said murder. I jumped to that conclusion with both feet. My foot pressed harder on the accelerator. I needed to talk to Grant.

      
    A scene of controlled chaos greeted me as I strode into the office lobby. Every seat was filled. The leather loveseat meant for two groaned under