The Inn at Holiday Bay: Clue in the Clam, Kathi Daley [early reader chapter books TXT] 📗

there were six men and only five women, I’m inclined to believe the story of how he met his wife. McClellan says he can give us names for all the victims. If he can, that will close a lot of cases, and it will give eleven families closure. I’m inclined to give him what he wants in exchange for the information he claims to have, but that part isn’t up to me. My job was simply to determine whether or not he’s telling the truth.”

“Which you seem to have done.”

“Which I seem to have done,” she confirmed.

Talk about a disturbing job. I guessed someone had to do it, but the whole thing left me feeling quite disturbed, so I decided it was time to change the subject to something a bit more pleasant. “I have sea scallops, saffron rice, asparagus, and baby carrots warming in the oven, although I can have Georgia make us something else if scallops don’t work for you.”

“I love scallops,” she assured me.

“Okay. Go ahead and relax, and I’ll grab the food. We can eat while we enjoy what’s left of the evening.”

Georgia had already made up the plates, so I just needed to slice a few more pieces of bread and bring the food to the deck. It really was a lovely evening, and so far, both the temperature and the bugs, or lack of bugs, had been cooperating.

“So tell me about your family,” I said after the food had been served. “You mentioned that they live on Shipwreck Island.”

“Yes.” Her face lit up with the new subject. “My sisters and I grew up on the island after our parents died, and we went to live with our aunt. Aunt Charley runs a resort on the south end of the island, which her father-in-law, Hank, owns. Hank retired at one point, but after Charley’s husband, Uncle Bobby, died, he moved back to the resort to help out.”

“Sounds like a functional family dynamic.”

She chuckled. “I’m not sure I’d use the word functional, but it does work. After Bobby passed away and Hank decided to move back to the resort to help Charley run things, I thought the pair would kill each other since both Hank and Charley are strong-willed and opinionated individuals. And while there is some fussing and grumbling between the two from time to time, they generally get along and really seem to work well together. And not only has Hank proven to be a good business partner for Charley, but he’s really good with Emily’s girls.”

“Emily’s girls?”

“Emily is the middle sister,” she explained. “She left the island when she married, but when her husband was killed in an auto accident a year ago, Emily moved back to the island with her two daughters. The three of them currently live at the resort with Charley, Hank, and my youngest sister, Rory.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I know firsthand how hard it is to lose a husband.”

Sydney’s face softened. “It really was hard for Emily and the girls at first, and I know we all wish we could rewind time and hope for a different outcome, but I think my sister and nieces are learning to deal with their new reality. Emily seems happy helping out at the resort, and the girls bounced back rather quickly once they understood that they were safe and didn’t need to be afraid of all the changes. I think it helps that there’s so much family to lean on. As I mentioned, my youngest sister, Rory, lives with my aunt as well. She works as a veterinary technician, and she frequently brings home animals in need of fostering. The girls love to pitch in and help.”

“It sounds like you have a great family. There’s been tragedy in the past, but you all seem so close. Like you’re really there for each other.”

“Oh we are.” Her blue eyes flashed with conviction. “No matter what, family comes first.”

Being part of a large blended family sounded wonderful. In a way, a blended family was what Georgia, Jeremy, Annabelle, and I had created. “I’ve never visited the island but have always wanted to. It sounds like a lovely place. Do you get to visit often?” I asked as I sliced a scallop in half and took a bite.

She frowned. “More often now that I’ve relocated to the West Coast, but not as often as I’d like. I’m afraid my job is a demanding one. The hours are sporadic, and any plans that might have been arranged take second place to a new case or a break in an existing case.”

“It sounds like that might make it hard to develop relationships outside of work.”

“It is,” she admitted.

I was about to ask about the case she’d been called back to deal with when my cell phone rang. It was Colt. “I’m sorry, but I really need to get this.”

“No problem. Go right ahead.”

“Hey, Colt,” I greeted after heading inside the cottage.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier, but it’s been a crazy day.”

“I heard about Henry Goodman. Two murder victims in two days are more than enough to make anyone crazy. Any leads?”

“Not really. It does appear that the same person killed both men. There’s a lot to process, but I think I’ve done what I can do for today. I thought I might come over if you aren’t busy.”

“Sure, although you should know that Sydney Whitmore is here.”

“Your dinner. I’m sorry I forgot all about that. I guess I’ll just see you in the morning.”

“No. I want you to come over. We’re actually done eating, and I suppose I can make an excuse to send Sydney on her way once we have dessert, but I can’t help but wonder if she might be able to help. This is a unique sort of case, and