Swept Away: A Squeaky Clean Honeymoon Novella (Squeaky Clean Mysteries Book 12)

by Barritt, Christy

  When Yeller hung up, he turned toward us. “Mr. Murphy doesn’t know anything about anyone staying here. Now, would you care to explain yourself? Or I’d be happy to take you down to the station.”

  Chapter Five

  “This is a misunderstanding,” Riley said. “Let me talk to him.”

  “I repeat: he knew nothing about you staying here.” Yeller leveled his gaze with us, probably trying to look scary.

  “That’s ridiculous.” Riley’s hands flew in the air in an unusual display of frustration. “He gave me the key himself.”

  “That’s not what he said,” Yeller countered.

  “Seriously, please let me call him,” Riley said. “I’m not sure what just happened, but something is wrong. We have permission to stay here.”

  “We wouldn’t be here otherwise,” I quipped, feeling like I needed to say something. No way were we taking the fall for this fiasco.

  Riley pulled out his phone and quickly dialed. An echo of the earlier conversation happened again: lots of grunts and indiscernible talking. Finally, he hung up and turned to us.

  “You didn’t talk to Mr. Murphy. You talked to his assistant Mr. Mercy.”

  Yeller didn’t say anything for a moment. “I dialed the number you gave me.”

  “Did you even ask who you were speaking with? Mr. Murphy has a paralegal who is taking all of his calls while Mr. Murphy is at a wedding in India.”

  Yeller blinked. “I’ll need to verify that.”

  “Please do.”

  Yeller dialed the number on his phone, and a moment later he confirmed what Riley had said. He hung his hands on his belt and frowned. “Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

  “Now, do you believe us when we say we have no idea what happened to the boat?” Riley said. “I don’t even know where it was docked.”

  “Down at the local marina,” Yeller said.

  “I don’t have the key to operate the boat.” Riley crossed his arms, definitely annoyed.

  “We found one on the dresser upstairs. In the bedroom where the shoe was found.”

  I shook my head as I thought it all through. “Joey ran to our house right after Vivian was abducted. We couldn’t have been in the boat and made it back here to meet Joey, if we were the ones in the boat.”

  “Now that I might believe. But that still doesn’t explain how the shoe ended up here.”

  “Did you forget that someone broke into our house yesterday?” Riley reminded him.

  Yeller scratched his eyebrow. “That’s true.”

  “Whoever broke in must have planted that shoe, hoping we’d look guilty,” I muttered, not liking the conclusions I drew.

  “Why would someone do that?” Yeller asked, doing the head-scratching thing again.

  “To take suspicion off themselves, of course!” I nearly threw my hands in the air. I wasn’t one who thought small town cops couldn’t cut it. Not at all. But this guy needed some help.

  “Interesting theory.”

  I fought a sigh. “Is there any sign of Vivian? That’s the important thing.”

  His shoulders drooped. He knew he was in over his head, didn’t he? “No, not yet.”

  “I left a voicemail for Mr. Murphy,” Riley said. “He’s supposed to call me back when he gets the message, but, like I said, he’s in India. I want to ask him who else had access to his boat.”

  “Smart idea,” Yeller said. “Because I’m not leaving here until I know something.”

  Mr. Murphy called back an hour later and confirmed we were allowed to stay here. He also said that he’d let several people use the house over the years, but no one else should have a key or permission to use his boat. He did mention that he had a son with drug problems, who occasionally turned up here.

  He’d apologized profusely for the trouble.

  But that still didn’t explain why someone had left the shoe here. I mean, obviously they wanted to make us look guilty. But why target Riley and me? Why leave one shoe?

  Unless they had to leave the other shoe on the boat so the chief would connect the dots.

  That would be pretty calculated, which these guys very well could be. After all, they had somehow managed to snag a woman off the beach when she wasn’t supposed to be there.

  And then there were the bigger questions like: Where was Vivian? Why had she been taken? And who was behind it?

  After everything that happened this morning, Riley and I decided to go into town for lunch at Erma’s. When we got there, all the locals were talking about the boat. Apparently, they’d heard about what happened with Mr. Murphy’s watercraft before the police even finished questioning us at the house.

  Small town dynamics were something I wasn’t used to.

  A few of the restaurant’s regulars sent guilty looks back at Riley and me, like they knew who we were but didn’t really care that they were talking about us. That was just as well.

  “Do you think someone is trying to set us up?” Riley whispered.

  “That’s what it looks like. Why else would he have left that shoe?” I’d been thinking about it since it happened.

  “I just don’t understand why. Why target us?”

  I shook my head. “At this point, I have no idea.”

  Riley stared out the window. The boardwalk out front was considerably busier today than it was yesterday morning. Numerous people walked about, shooting the breeze or eating ice cream or carrying fishing poles.

  This really was such a lovely place. It was too bad our stay here had been marred by Vivian’s abduction, Looking for Love, and Yeller’s accusations. The locale had so much potential for relaxation.

  Suddenly, Riley sat straight up, his gaze fixated outside. “Gabby, do you see that?”

  I straightened also, anticipation buzzing through me. “See what?”

  “Him.” He nodded to someone in the distance.

  I tried unsuccessfully to follow his gaze. I saw a lot of people, but no one who stood out as someone to watch. “Who?”

  Riley’s gaze was latched out the window still, and his body language screamed, “alert.” “Vince Daley.”

  I still wasn’t following this, which annoyed me because I hated feeling confused. “Who is Vince Daley?”

  I figured the guy he was talking about had to be the younger-looking man with light-brown hair who was headed toward the marina. He was the only person who stood out among the crowd. Something about the way he moved made him look shady, like he was up to something.

  “Vince Daley was on Looking for Love last season.”

  Now Riley had my full attention. I mean, he’d had it before. But now he really had it.

  “That guy out there was on last season?” I echoed, making sure I understood this correctly.

  “He was the runner-up, but he wasn’t chosen by Katrina at the end.” Riley cleared his throat, and his cheeks reddened slightly. “That’s what I’ve heard, at least.”

  My curiosity was fully aroused now. “What else did you hear?”

  Riley continued staring outside, his every muscle looking like he was prepared to jump into action. “Everyone expected him to be the next Mr. Eligible, but Ricky was chosen instead. Rumor has it that Vince was really angry about it.”

  How did Riley know these details? This had to go beyond the normal scuttlebutt that people heard on the tube about various TV shows.

  There was something my husband wasn’t telling me. Was he secretly a fan of Looking for Love?

  I stared at him until he cringed.

  “What?” Riley shrugged, looking a little too innocent.

  “How do you know all of that?” I tilted my head as I began my mini cross-examination.

  He cringed again and raised his shoulders in a half-shrug. “I just . . . heard about it when I left the TV on once.”

  I nodded slowly, unconvinced. “Is that right?”

  “Of course. You don’t think I watch Looking for Love, do you?” He laughed a little too loudly.

  I knew him well
enough to know there was something he wasn’t telling me. “You seem to know an awful lot about the show.”

  He looked out the window again. “That’s not important right now. What’s important is the fact that Vince is in town. Why would he be here?”

  I cast aside my interrogation, knowing I’d pick it up again later. Riley was right—we had other more important matters to focus on. “Maybe the show invited him out for one of those ambush episodes. I’ve heard they like the shock factor. And, in full disclosure, I have watched two whole episodes before.”

  He ignored my comment. “You’re right—his presence here could be a stunt of some sort. But he’s heading toward the marina, and I don’t see any camera crews following him. In fact, he’s kind of looking around, like he doesn’t want to be spotted.”

  Our gazes connected.

  “Should we follow him?” I asked.

  “I think that’s a good idea. Especially since someone is trying to make us look guilty. It couldn’t hurt to clear our names before this really does become a nightmare honeymoon.”

  “Let’s go.”

  We both stood, and, as I passed the waitress, I told her we’d be right back for our food, which we’d take to go.

  We stepped outside into the humid air and took off toward the marina. As soon as our feet hit the wooden planks there, Vince hopped into a boat and the driver took off.

  “He’s going to get away,” Riley muttered.

  We picked up our pace, trying to reach him in time, but it was too late. They pulled out into the water, waves flying behind them.

  Vince looked over his shoulder at us as he cruised farther from the shore.

  I couldn’t see him well enough to know if he was smirking. But my suspicions were that that was exactly what he was doing.

  Chapter Six

  Riley and I decided to take our food back to the house to eat. It was all packaged up in a neat paper bag and tucked under Riley’s arm as we started down the sidewalk. The scent of bacon from my club sandwich and warm french fries drifted through the bag and tantalized my senses, making my stomach growl.

  We’d only taken five steps in our quest to head home when a limo pulled up to the curb beside us and women began bouncing out.

  The first person I spotted was Joey. And the first person Joey spotted was Riley.

  She went right to him. Her eyes immediately became tear-rimmed and drama-filled.

  “I was hoping I might see you again,” she started.

  My back muscles tightened. Was she hitting on him while I was on my honeymoon and while she was on a dating show? That would take some nerve.

  A knot formed between Riley’s eyebrows as he held her at arm’s length. “What’s going on?”

  “You said you’re an attorney, right?” Joey batted her eyelashes.

  “That’s correct.”

  “I need to hire you.”

  Riley shook his head slightly, as if her question threw him. “For what?”

  “I’m afraid I’m a suspect in Vivian’s disappearance. I expect that the police will bring me in for questioning any time now. I’m not stupid. I know I need representation if that happens, and I don’t know any lawyers down here. Except you.”

  “Why would they bring you in?” I asked.

  Joey looked at me for the first time, and her eyes widened with horror. Raccoon face strikes again. She quickly recovered and continued on with her dilemma. “I was the last one to be seen with her. I know how all this all works. I’ve watched Law and Order.”

  “Have the police given you any indication that you’re a suspect?” I continued.

  “No. Not yet. But give them time.”

  “I’m only qualified to practice law in Virginia, Joey,” Riley told her.

  Her lips stuck out in a girly pout. “I didn’t think of that. What am I going to do, Riley? I’m not like some of these women who come from gobs of money. My dad’s a farmer. I quit my job to come on this show.” She shook her head. “I feel so helpless.”

  Riley was silent a moment until he finally said, “There is someone I went to law school with who lives in this area now.”

  Her eyes widened. “There is?”

  “His name is Devin Matthews. I could call him for you, if you’d like.”

  “Oh, would you?”

  My gaze traveled beyond Joey for a moment. All the bikini-clad women headed toward the marina, acting as if nothing had happened—or that nothing would stand in the way of their fifteen minutes of fame. Maybe I was being too harsh. But how could they continue on after one of their own was abducted? Were they all as happy and carefree as they appeared?

  Wally followed behind them, talking with another man—possibly another producer, if I had to guess. Ricky led the pack, and the girls clamored to be beside him. He obviously loved it, based on the grin across his face.

  There was also another man. Alastair, I realized. I’d seen his picture in the article in Star Touch. He was the one who’d started this franchise. It had really launched his career, which now included several reality shows. Apparently, he was a hands-on kind of guy who liked to be on the set as much as possible.

  I came back to the conversation in time to see Joey clasp her hands together in front of her and tilt her head at Riley. “I’m so lucky I met you,” she muttered.

  Seriously, this woman could win an award for her over-acting.

  When she threw her arms around him, I bristled.

  Hands off, lady.

  “Joey, over here!” one of the other women called.

  “We’re going parasailing,” Joey said. “I’ve got to run. But I’ll be in touch.”

  I stared at Riley when she left, waiting for his commentary on the conversation that had just played out. He shrugged innocently.

  “What?” he finally said.

  I decided not to comment on Joey’s obvious flirtation with him. After all, I trusted Riley that the feelings weren’t reciprocal, even if his wife did look like a raccoon.

  Besides, I had another more pressing thought. “Vince just took a boat out. Now the girls are going. Coincidence?”

  Riley shook his head. “Probably not. What do you say we charter a boat and keep an eye on things?”

  My heart rate quickened. “Really?”

  He shrugged. “Let’s face it: neither of us is good at doing nothing. Besides, these girls could be in danger, and someone’s trying to frame us for it.”

  A huge grin stretched across my face. “Let’s do it.”

  To our surprise, we were able to charter a little boat to take us into the Gulf. Unfortunately, it was a fishing boat, and I had no desire to fish. But it was worth it if it meant keeping an eye on what was going on. Wally and Alastair certainly didn’t seem to care, and Chief Yeller seemed unable to comprehend the scope of this investigation.

  Our “captains” were none other than Larry and Leonard, the two men we’d heard talking at Erma’s the first morning. I thought it was a nice twist of fate—or should I say “faith”?—that these two talkers would be our guides.

  As we set off into the Gulf, my oversized white-linen shirt billowed in the breeze. Riley wrapped his arm around the back of the bench seat where we sat at the rear of the boat. I wanted to lean into him, but I didn’t dare.

  And I knew what was coming next: peeling. I was going to look so attractive when that started. I’d move from looking like a tomato to looking like an orange without the rind. Oh joy.

  “So, let’s get back to that earlier Looking for Love discussion,” I started, talking over the roar of the motor as we cruised across the water. “You watch the show, don’t you? You more than watch it. You like it.”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment, but a slight smile played on his lips. Until finally he nodded and raised a hand in surrender. “You caught me. I started watching it when I moved back home to my parents while I was recovering. I became addicted.”

  “I knew it!”

  “It’s a guilty pleasure,” he contin
ued. “One I’m not very proud of.”

  “It just goes to prove that even Riley Thomas isn’t perfect.”

  “I thought we’d drawn that conclusion a long time ago.”

  I reached up and pecked his lips in a kiss. “Believe it or not, I love that you’re not perfect. If you were, I’d feel unworthy to be married to you.”

  “I guess we’re a pair then.”

  “You two on your honeymoon?” Leonard asked.

  I nodded. “Yes, we are.”

  “I figured as much. You two have that look about you. My Elsa and I had that look at one time. She passed away eight years ago. Heart disease.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.

  “Marriage was the best thing to ever happen to me,” he continued. “Treasure each other. Even when the going gets tough. There will come a time when you’re tempted to give up. Don’t do it. Anything worth having is worth working for. Mark my words.”

  I smiled and tucked away his wisdom. “I think you’re right. Thanks for the advice.”

  “It’s free. One of the few things in life that are.” He chuckled.

  I shifted. “Leonard, can you tell us about Old Yeller?” I was still dwelling on how competent—or not—the police chief was.

  Leonard shrugged. “Nice enough guy. One of the few true locals around here. Most of us are retired, in case you didn’t know. But his family grew up on the north end. His mom ran the local market, and his father worked for the state, commuting to and from work.”

  “How’d he get the nickname?” I asked.

  “I guess he was always an old soul—maybe it had to do with hanging around all of us. He liked to play checkers and do crossword puzzles. The nickname started down at his mom’s market, and it stuck.”

  “Does he do a good job as police chief?” I asked.

  “For the crimes we have around here, sure. It’s not much, though. He checks boating permits, handles out-of-control parties sometimes, gives speeding tickets. Nothing exciting like that abduction the other night.”

  As the conversation tapered, my gaze was pulled to another boat in the distance. “Riley, check that out.”