Free Clam Wake by Mary Daheim Page A

in a crisis,” she asserted.
    Jacobson didn’t comment. Instead he asked if they’d seen anyone else on the beach. They hadn’t, Judith said. “But,” she continued, “we saw no blood. Where was he stabbed?”
    â€œIn the chest,” Jacobson replied. “Three times. He bled out into the sand. You wouldn’t have seen it. The EMTs didn’t notice until they were pulling him out onto the gurney.”
    Judith grimaced. “Did you find the weapon?”
    He remained impassive. “Not yet.”
    â€œI wonder,” Judith said, “if he died right away. He must’ve, if we saw no signs of a struggle, right?”
    The officer frowned slightly. “You’re unusually observant, Mrs. Flynn. I take it you didn’t know Mr. Glover?”
    Judith shook her head. “I’d actually seen him on the noon ferry. He looked vaguely familiar and I recalled he might’ve been pointed out to me on a previous visit. I never met him, though.”
    â€œAnd you, Mrs. Jones?” he asked.
    â€œNo. Same thing—a passing remark by our aunt and uncle.”
    Jacobson studied his notes, frowning slightly before speaking again. “Did you see anyone or anything unusual after you left here?”
    â€œWe didn’t leave from here,” Judith replied. “We’d been at Dick and Jane Sedgewicks’ house. They’re close friends of the Webers. We’ve known them fairly well over the years, too.”
    He gave another nod. “I’ll talk to them as well. We’re questioning everyone in the development.”
    â€œHow many deputies are here?” Judith asked.
    â€œI have two working with me today.” He made as if to close the notebook, but stopped, glancing first at Judith and then at Renie. “Did you touch the body?”
    â€œNo,” Judith said. “I thought we should take his pulse, but Renie pointed out that being facedown, Mr. Glover couldn’t breathe and therefore he must be dead.”
    Jacobson seemed puzzled. “An odd reaction, don’t you think?”
    â€œWhy?” Renie demanded sharply.
    The officer fixed her with a hard stare. “Most people don’t assume someone lying on the ground is dead,” he stated with a hint of incredulity. “They react by thinking the person is unconscious.”
    Renie lifted her short chin. “Try logic. It’s my cousin’s strong suit, by the way. I have some, too. It runs in the family. If someone is obviously unable to breathe unless he’s got a tube in the ground that goes all the way to Beijing, then he’s probably a goner.”
    Jacobson and Renie stared—or glared—at each other for what seemed to Judith like a long time. Finally, he closed the notebook and stood up. “Thanks for your cooperation. We’ll be in touch.” He started for the door. “You’re not going anywhere, are you? That is, outside of Obsession Shores.”
    Judith struggled a bit getting up to her feet. “We might go to the grocery store up at the junction or into Langton.”
    â€œDon’t. We’ll let you know when you can leave Obsession Shores.”
    Jacobson opened the door and strode off.
    A t least he didn’t slam the damned thing behind him,” Judith said, closing the door. “Are we actual suspects ?”
    â€œSounds like it,” Renie said, putting her feet up on the sofa. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
    â€œCoz!” Judith cried. “It’s one thing to find another corpse, but now I have to prove we’re innocent. That means—”
    â€œYou have to start sleuthing,” Renie finished for her. “Go ahead. You’d do it anyway. I wonder if Auntie Vance has enough Pepsi? If she doesn’t, that could be a problem.”
    â€œFor you, ” Judith snapped, pacing the living area. “I can drink water. I usually do. It’s better for me