Page 125 of Death of a Grill Master

The cops just assumed Baird’s prints weren’t on the gun because he had been wearing rubber gloves, part of his wet suit.

Hayley turned slowly. Maddox looked up from a manila folder.

“I need to see Peter Baird,” she said.

Maddox frowned. “Why?”

“Because there’s something I don’t understand. And I think he might be the only one who can clear it up.”

He leaned back in his chair. “He’s awaiting transfer to county lockup. He’s not exactly taking visitors.”

“I won’t be long. I promise.”

He glared at her.

“Please.”

A long pause. Finally, with a huff, he stood. “Fine. Don’t touch anything. And don’t say anything that’ll screw up my arraignment.”

“Would I ever?”

He glared again.

The holding cell had the ambience of a discount motel bathroom—minus the complimentary soap. Peter Baird sat on the bench, wearing county orange now instead of his usual starched khakis and smug marine biologist button-downs. He looked tired. Not defeated—but diminished.

When Hayley stepped in, flanked by Maddox just behind, Baird glanced up. His eyes narrowed.

“Come to gloat?”

“No,” she said evenly. “I came because you said something to me. About the gun.”

His lips thinned.

“You said you didn’t steal it. That you used a different revolver. That after shooting Hank with it, you tossed yours into the ocean.”

Baird said nothing.

Maddox stepped closer. “Is that true?”

Baird shrugged. “I’m not answering anything without my attorney.”

“Come on,” Hayley pressed. “Tell him what you told me. You said the gun in the ice chest wasn’t the one you fired. That you didn’t plant it.”

He glanced at her, then at Maddox, and turned away.

“I’m not saying another word.”

Maddox exhaled sharply, looked at Hayley. “He’s playing games.”

“I’m not playing anything,” Baird muttered. “I’m protecting myself. You’ve already made up your mind.”

Hayley took a step forward. “If Chase or Kylie were involved, if they stole that gun from Doug Marsh, or if something else happened that night—don’t let them walk free. You killed Tina because she saw you that night—because she knew. But now it’s over. So stop pretending you’re protecting anyone. Tell the truth. Don’t let this get buried.”

But Baird was stone.

“Time’s up,” Maddox said, then ushered her out.

Back in the lobby, Hayley dropped down on a wooden bench, arms folded tight, her mind a tangle of doubts.