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I might think this funny if I weren’t so irritated. Why is he grilling me when he already knows everything? Because he’s testing me. To see if he can trust me.
Marlowe pushes off the piling. “Walk me through the events of the accident again. This time, don’t leave out the part about the argument with your wife.”
I turn away from him, staring out across the water as the memories from that dreadful day come rushing back. “Tracy shanghaied me. I came home from work that day to find my children gone and my suitcase packed and waiting beside the front door. She said if I didn’t check myself into the mental institution, she would leave me. When I refused, she got livid and took off in her car. I followed her here.” I repeat the rest of the story, which he’s already heard a dozen times. About the storm and Tracy refusing to let me drive the boat. About the wave crashing into the boat and her falling overboard.
“How did you react when she asked you to commit yourself to the mental institution?”
Turning away from the water, I looked him straight in the eyes. “I was more upset about her taking my children to Savannah without asking me. When Tracy got something in her head, she refused to let it go. As was the case with my anger management issue.” I pause to take the last sip of my coffee. “Tracy was the angry one that day, Brice. I can still see her whipping the steering wheel away from the oncoming wave.”
We stand for a minute in silence, each of us lost in thought.
Finally, Marlowe slaps my shoulder. “Sorry to put you through all that again. I’ve always believed in your innocence. I lost my job because of it. But I had to make certain I hadn’t missed anything before I go out on a limb for you.”
“I understand. If you have any other doubts about me, let’s clear them up now. I’m no angel, but I’m not the devil either.”
Marlowe shakes his head. “I’m all in. Do you have any questions for me?”
I stare down at the ground, my mind a jumble of thoughts. “I’m sure I do. I just can’t think of them right now.”
“You can text me anytime,” he says, and we stroll back towards the house. “Coincidentally, I need to warn you about my replacement. Max Rourke is a first-class jerk.”
I stop walking. “You mean they’ve already hired someone?”
“Yep. They should’ve promoted Jimmy Riley. Jimmy’s a hard worker with keen instincts, and he’s earned the opportunity. Everything about Rourke’s hire makes me suspicious. His timely arrival in Water’s Edge, and his apparent lack of experience. I would be willing to bet Rourke is on Beaumont’s payroll.”
I frown. “Seriously? He’s a law enforcement officer. How corrupt is this world?”
“More corrupt than you can ever imagine, my friend.” He starts walking again. “Rourke paid your friend Julia a visit yesterday evening. My informant inside the department tells me he threatened to arrest her as an accessory to murdering your wife.”
My heart skips a beat. “That’s ludicrous. I didn’t even know Julia at the time.”
“I hope she has a strong alibi to clear her name.”
“She does! Three months ago, she was living two thousand miles away in Colorado.”
Deep lines appear between Marlowe’s brows. “I wouldn’t be too sure. How much do you know about Julia’s past?”
I massage my jaw. “Very little, now that I think about it. She recently got divorced and has full custody of her son.”
“Sounds suspicious to me. Why does she have full custody?”
“I’m not sure.” I think back to the brief discussion Julia and I had about her husband. “She told me her divorce was unpleasant, and her husband is out of their lives for good.”
“And why did she move here? To Water’s Edge?”
“Because she wanted a fresh start.” I lock eyes with the detective. “What are you suggesting, Brice?”
“That maybe she’s a plant. I wouldn’t put it past your in-laws to pay someone to lie about having an affair with you.”
“But that makes no sense. Why would she risk being accused as an accessory to murder? If convicted, she could go to prison for life.”
Marlowe raises a finger. “Unless she cuts a deal with the district attorney to testify against you in exchange for her freedom.”
“I can’t believe Julia would do something so awful. She seemed to genuinely care about me.”
At the end of the boardwalk, Marlowe stops walking and turns to face me. “We could use more manpower on the case. How do you feel about me bringing Carter Leach on board?” he asks, referring to the private investigator Ashton hired to uncover her husband’s underhanded dealings.
“Carter’s a good guy. I’m fine with it if you think it’s necessary.”
