The Sharpest Edge (9 page)

They stared at each other. No words seemed appropriate.

After a moment, he said, “We’ll leave in ten minutes.” Then he shut the door and turned on the shower.

A
LEAN MAN WITH
short blond hair was waiting for them when they drove up to the office. He was lounging against the porch railing, his California tan making his skin darker than his hair. The moment he saw the car he straightened, the lines of his body taut, his gaze sharp. He was fit and decent-looking, and Sean got a bad vibe from him even from a distance. The instant Kim stepped out of the car, the man grabbed her and hugged her. Sean was out of the car and beside them almost instantly. “I’m Sean Templeton.”

Surfer dude released her and eyed Sean. “Alan Haywood. Kim’s best friend.”

Sean didn’t like the possessive look in Alan’s face at all, let alone how Kim had her arm tucked around his. He narrowed his eyes and took in the man’s rumpled suit. “When did you get in?”

“Took the red-eye last night. I got in this morning and came straight out here. Haven’t even found a hotel.” He put his arm around Kim and squeezed. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Got a ticket stub?”

Alan frowned at him and Kim smacked his arm. “Sean! What’s your problem?”

“The knife appeared in your bed last night. I’d like to know exactly what time Alan arrived.” Sean didn’t like the look of Alan Haywood and his suit one bit.

Kim set her hands on her hips and glared at him. “He’s my friend. Don’t insult him.”

Alan touched Kim’s arm. “It’s okay. I’m glad he’s concerned.” Alan felt around in his pant pocket and dug out a couple of ticket stubs. He handed them to Sean. “One for each leg of the trip. You can look them up to see what time I got in.”

Oh, he’d be doing that. Sean shoved the tickets into his own pocket and studied the man. Alan narrowed his gaze and gave back everything Sean directed at him.

After a long moment, Alan stuck out his hand and Sean shook it. “Looks like we’re on the same team,” Alan said.

“Yeah.” Maybe. “You leave anyone in charge of Kim’s place?”

“Local cops are keeping an eye on it.”

Sean raised an eyebrow. “You mean Jimmy’s pals?”

Alan’s gaze darkened. “I was going to pay a private investigator, but it was cost prohibitive. This was the best I could do.” He looked at Kim. “Besides, I don’t think
Jimmy’s there. If he was going to hit your place, he’d have shown up by now. Somehow, he found out you weren’t there.”

“How would he have found out?” Sean asked. “Aren’t you and Kim the only ones who know?”

“For God’s sake, Sean. Back off! Alan’s been helping me fight off Jimmy for the past eighteen months. He’s
not
the bad guy.” She set her hands on her hips again.

Sean scowled. As if she’d ever defend him the way she was defending Alan. Something pinged in his gut at the thought and he forced himself to shrug. What did he care what she thought? His job wasn’t to make her happy. It was to keep her safe, to find Jimmy and to find out what happened to Max. After this morning, it was clear not only that there was nothing between them now, but also that there never had been. Had he really loved her dad more than her? He wanted to say no, but in his gut, he wasn’t sure anymore. If Kim had asked him to leave with her, would he have gone? He didn’t know.

So he ignored her and turned to Alan. “You’re here to look at the files of the camp?”

“Sure, I can do that.”

“Anything you find, you let me know.”

Alan cocked an eyebrow. “Yes, sir.” His tone was flippant and challenging, and Sean considered introducing him to the butt of his gun, just for fun.

Kim elbowed him. “Cut it out, Alan. He’s doing his job.”

“He’s a cop and he could be on the take from Jimmy.”

Kim stomped her foot then and glared at them both. “Would you guys stop with the pissing contest? You both want to get Jimmy, so quit trying to blame each other. You’ll just be wasting time that could be spent getting somewhere. We only have seven days, remember?”

Alan flicked his gaze toward Kim. “Seven days until what?”

“He put Cheryl in the hospital on Christmas Day. Yester
day, the day of the knife incident, was the twenty-fifth of July.”

Sean studied Alan’s face while Kim explained the dates, looking for a clue. A flash of knowledge? A flicker of concern that they’d figure it out? Because there was something off about Alan, and Sean was going to find out what it was. He’d be filing a background check on Alan Haywood as soon as he got back to the office.

“Friendly guy,” Alan said as he and Kim walked ahead of Sean toward the office. Alan’s usually impeccable attire was a little wrinkled and he hadn’t shaved recently. He looked like hell. But it was still so good to see him. A man she knew, without all sorts of baggage.

“Sean’s a great guy,” she said. “He’s just a little cranky today.” Yeah, major understatement. They were both in rotten moods. Funny how learning that he’d never really loved her had put
her
in a crappy state of mind. Good thing she hadn’t married him. And as for all the attraction she’d been feeling since she returned to town? Residual first-love delusions, just as her mom had predicted.

On the plus side, Sean was finally out of Kim’s soul and she could start over. She was free. So she lifted her chin, pasted a serene smile on her face and tucked her hand through Alan’s arm as they strolled into the reception area, where Didi was busily sorting petty cash. Didi looked up as they walked in and Kim noticed that Didi’s eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. Didi barely spared Alan a glance, even though he was male. What was wrong with her?

“Didi, this is my friend Alan Haywood. He’ll be working in Max’s office for the next few days.” Kim looked at Alan. “How long are you staying?”

“As long as I need to.” He held out his hand to Didi. “Nice to meet you.”

She smiled absently at him and Kim was startled to see a faint flush rise in Alan’s cheeks as he turned away.

She waited until they got into the office with the door shut. “What was that?”

“What?”

“You liked her.”

He sat at the desk and flipped on the computer. “She’s cute.”

“You totally checked her out!” Alan wasn’t the type of guy to ogle women on a regular basis. What was it about Didi that caught his eye?

He glared at her. “I’m here on business, not to date.”

“Business, huh? Seems personal to me.” Sean walked into the office and stood behind Alan, looking over his shoulder. “I’ll be watching what you do for a while, if you don’t mind.”

Alan glowered at Sean. “I like my space.”

“I’m sure you do.” Sean shrugged. “As Kim said, I’m doing my job. I thought you wanted me to do my job. Change your mind?”

God help me.
Kim walked out of the office, leaving Sean and Alan to their attitudes. They’d clearly hated each other from first sight. Whatever their problems with each other were, she wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.

“Don’t go too far,” Sean shouted after her.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Didi was sitting behind the reception desk and she still looked bummed. Anything to distract Kim from her life. “Didi? What’s wrong?”

Didi immediately straightened and tried to wipe her eyes. “Nothing.”

Kim glanced around. “Where’s Will? Don’t you two usually work this shift together?”

“Yes.” The sniffles became louder and Kim peered more closely at her.

“Did you guys break up?”

Fresh tears spilled. “Yes.”

Kim sighed and leaned on the desk next to Didi’s. “Men suck, don’t they?”

The corner of Didi’s mouth curved up. “Sometimes, I guess.”

“You love him?”

“Will? No.” She sighed. “I just wanted a decent guy, you know? I thought he was nice.”

Kim pulled up a stool and sat on it. Chatting with Didi about men reminded her of the days when she and Cheryl used to hang out. Swapping stories and secrets. Suddenly, she felt so lonely. “A nice guy doesn’t seem like so much to ask,” she said.

Didi raised her eyebrow. “How many nice guys do you know?”

She thought of the two men in her office. “I might know a couple.” Alan she was sure of. Sean, well, he was too complicated to be described simply as a nice guy. He was so much more than that. Oh, who was she kidding? No one could describe Sean Templeton as a nice guy. Alan, yes. Sean, no way. Then she had an idea, an idea that rang of a past life in which she did normal things such as try to set her friends up. “My friend Alan, who just arrived, is single. Hasn’t had a girlfriend in ages, actually.”

“Why not? Is he gay?”

“No. He’s…” Probably not a good idea to say that he’d been helping her evade a killer. “He’s had some stuff going on. It’s time for him to get out there again.”

Didi studied her. “You’re trying to set me up with him?”

“I’m trying to find you someone who will buy you dinner and won’t be a jerk.”

“Why do you care?”

Kim shrugged. “Alan’s a great guy and he could use a friend while he’s out here.” She still wasn’t sure why he’d
come out to Maine. Yeah, he’d been her main supporter, but he’d gotten increasingly protective over the past couple of weeks. She was so unsettled by the situation with Sean, the last thing she wanted was to worry about entertaining Alan or deal with their bickering. If she could get Didi to come along for dinner, maybe her presence would alleviate some of the testosterone battles.

She looked at Didi. “Why don’t I set something up for tonight? Join us for dinner. Are you free?”

Okay, fine, she also had an incentive to get Alan out of her hair: she wanted some time with Sean. The conversation they’d started this morning wasn’t over. Maybe they hadn’t loved each other the way they thought they had, but to dismiss their entire relationship wasn’t logical. Nothing felt as though it made sense anymore.

Didi looked thoughtful. “I guess it would be okay.”

“Great. I’ll go talk to him.” She patted Didi’s shoulder. “Forget Will. He doesn’t deserve you.”

“Thanks, Kim.” Didi cocked her head. “You’re a lot nicer than I thought you’d be.”

Kim frowned. “You thought I’d be a jerk? Why?”

“You’re the boss’s daughter.”

“Oh.” She hesitated. “Do people not like my dad?”

“Everyone loves him.”

“Then why didn’t you think you’d like me?”

Didi shrugged. “I don’t know.” A guest came in, inquiring about the hike up Owl Creek Mountain later on that day, so Didi turned away to help him.

Great. Kim’s ego felt so much better now that she knew the staff at the camp had expected her to be a jerk.

She walked toward her dad’s office to let the boys know she’d added Didi to the guest list for dinner.

S
EAN STOOD IN
the doorway to the boathouse, Kim by his side. He’d asked her to inspect the building with him on the
pretense that she’d know better than him if anything was out of place, but really, he didn’t want her alone with Alan. Maybe Alan was legit and wanted to keep Kim safe, but it was Sean’s job not to trust anyone but himself. Besides, the guy was a city kid and he’d have no chance against Jimmy.

Yesterday, Sean’s excuse would have been that he wanted to spend time with her. Now it was only business.

It had to be. There was no point in pursuing anything between them. But how did he cut off all the emotions he had wrapped up in her? He hadn’t figured it out yet and it was frustrating the hell out of him, which was why he was trying to focus on his job. On the case. On Jimmy.

Nothing had turned up in Sean’s search of the office, so he was hoping to find something on the boat. Tom Payton was inside the boathouse, working on a canoe. “Hi, Tom.”

Tom jumped and looked up. “Oh, hi. I didn’t hear you come in.”

Sean leaned against the door frame. “Work on the boats a lot?”

“Yeah. It’s my job.”

He studied him. “How much experience do you have with boats?”

Tom settled back on his heels. “Enough.”

“Enough? What does that mean?”

“It means I can do the job.”

Something was definitely off with Tom. Sean would follow up with Eddie and see what was going on. “So does Eddie tell you what to fix or do you figure it out and do it yourself?”

The kid—okay, so he wasn’t really a kid, but he looked like one at first glance—shifted restlessly. “Some of both. Why?”

“Did you work on Max’s boat the day he crashed? Eddie said you were doing some work on it in the afternoon.”

Tom glanced at Kim, then at Sean, then picked up his
sandpaper and applied it to the canoe. “That was my assignment, so obviously I did it, right? I mean, I do my job. I already told you that. Why are you asking me again?”

Sean shot a look at Kim, then moved closer to Tom and squatted next to him. “If you know something you aren’t telling us, you need to spill it. What’s up?”

“Nothing. I worked on the engine like he told me. I was around all afternoon like I was supposed to be and I didn’t see anything. I even stayed and did the evening shift because Eddie wasn’t feeling good and asked me to stay. I was here the whole time and I saw nothing, okay?” The kid was sweating now.

Kim spoke from the doorway. “You won’t lose your job, Tom, so don’t worry about that. Just tell the officer what you know.”

“Nothing. I don’t know anything.” He stood up. “I have to go.”

He walked out, brushing past Kim.

The kid was too dumb to realize he’d pretty much told them he knew something. The question was, what did he know? An invitation to the police station for an interview might scare him into sharing.

“Aren’t you going to follow him?”

Sean shook his head. “Let him stew for a few hours. I’ll call him in for an interview tonight when I’m on duty.” He turned to Max’s boat, which was still sitting in the boathouse. “First, I want to check out the boat more thoroughly.”

“What do you expect to find this time?”

He slipped on some latex gloves and climbed into the boat. “Last time, we were looking for mechanical issues. This time, I’m looking for signs of a struggle.” He pulled out another set of gloves and tossed them at Kim. “This is the same boat he had when we were kids. You might notice something out of place. But don’t disturb anything.”

Ten minutes later, Kim was down on her knees in the stern when she called out his name. “Sean? Come look at this.”

He dropped next to her. “What do you have?”

She pointed to some dark brown splatters on the side of the boat, tucked beside the bench seat in the back. “Mud?”

“Or not.” Blood more likely.

“Did my dad have an open wound on his head?”

“Yep. Got stitches. That’s what knocked him out.”

Kim sat up and her face was pale. “Someone tried to kill him.”

“Maybe. I’ll call and have the guys come down and take a swab of it to see if it’s blood.”

“But even if it is my dad’s blood, does it prove anything? I mean, he’s been riding around in this boat for twenty years.”

“In court, it means nothing. But to me, it does.” He pulled her to her feet. “When I go into work tonight, be careful. If your dad was attacked, then Jimmy has at least one partner, which means there’s more than one person we have to watch out for. Someone we haven’t identified. Trust no one.” He met her gaze. “I don’t want even Alan knowing where you’re staying.”

“Why don’t you believe Alan?”

“I don’t trust anyone at this point. If I’m not with you, you need to be at my house.” He saw her frown, and he knew she was rebelling. She’d never been the type to relish not being in control. Isn’t that why she’d left? To take charge of her own life?

He scowled. Hadn’t he resolved not to think about their past anymore?

Before she could argue with him, his phone rang. He pulled it out. The station. “Templeton here.”

“It’s Bill. Got a positive ID on your man.”

He tensed. “Ramsey? Where is he?” Kim’s head whipped toward him, but he resisted the urge to touch her. They’d gotten past that this morning. He settled for a reassuring nod instead.

“Got a body in Portland.”

“A body?” At his question, Kim looked at him sharply.

“Yep. Found it in a Dumpster outside a bar this morning. Stinking up the joint something nasty.”

Sean frowned. “If it smelled…”

“Then he’d been dead awhile. Want to go check it out?”

“You bet. I’ll meet you at the station in ten minutes.”

“Want me to send someone to stay with Kim while you’re gone?”

He looked at Kim, waiting, her teeth chewing her lower lip while hope gleamed in her eyes. “Yeah, and make sure you trust him.”

“You think I’d send someone I didn’t trust?”

Sean grimaced. Of course Bill wouldn’t. “Sorry.”

“Where are you?”

“Camp office. I won’t leave until he gets here.” He hung up. “Got an ID on Ramsey. He’s dead.”

Kim felt her legs buckle and it was only Sean’s quick move to grab her arm that kept her upright. “Dead? Really dead?”

“I’m going to go check it out.” He guided her to the edge of the boat. “Sit here.”

She sank down, her hands trembling, her legs quaking. “So it’s over? It’s all over?” Just like that, she had her life back? Oh, God, it was too much. She held out her hand. “Look at how much I’m shaking.”

Sean squatted in front of her. He lifted his hands to place them on her legs, then shifted and put them on the boat on either side of her instead. “It sounds like he may have been dead for a few days.”

“So?”

“So then someone else put the knife in your bed.”

Kim closed her eyes against the pressure suddenly crushing against her temples. “It can’t be.” There couldn’t be someone else out there, someone as bad as Jimmy, could
there? Yeah, Sean had just finished telling her that Jimmy might have a partner, but the timing of his death would confirm it. Damn. “I can’t go through this again.”

“I’m going to go find out.”

He shifted and she wondered if he was going to touch her. He didn’t. She wanted him to.

“It makes sense. Jimmy had a partner, and that’s who was after your dad while Jimmy was still in prison.”

“No.” She clutched the edge of the boat and opened her eyes. “No. Either my dad had an accident, or it had something to do with the camp. There isn’t someone else out there after me. It’s over, Sean. It’s over.”

“I’m sorry, Kim, but we both know that’s not true.”

“It has to be.” Her voice was a raspy whisper. “I can’t keep dealing with this.”

“You have to.”

His eyes were glittering and cold. He was all cop and he was treating her like a civilian who was making his job difficult. She immediately sat straighter and tossed aside her feelings of fear. He wasn’t going to offer any comfort, and she’d never admit she needed it. Because she didn’t. She lifted her chin. “I’m fine.”