Free Reading Up a Storm by Eva Gates Page A

library can go about its business as usual today. We’ll restrict our activities to the far end of the parking lot and the western boardwalk.”
    â€œGlad to hear it,” I said.
    â€œLucy,” Watson said. “Butch tells me you were with him when you came across the body.”
    I swallowed. “Uh, yes.”
    â€œDid you see anything out of the ordinary this morning? Anyone around when you first came outside?”
    I shook my head. “No. Not a soul. Most days bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts are here as soon as the sun’s up, but not always. Wasn’t the case this morning. We had the walk to ourselves.”
    â€œI told the detective that,” Butch said.
    Connor mumbled.
    â€œYou say something, Mr. Mayor?” Watson said.
    â€œNope.”
    â€œWhat about that boat? Have you seen it before?”
    â€œNo. I don’t think so, anyway,” I said. “I’m not one for boats, and it didn’t seem any different from plenty of others you see around here.”
    â€œDid you look out your window before you came down?”
    â€œYes, I did. To check the weather. My window faces east, out to sea, not west to the sound.”
    â€œButch tells me he knows the guy. His wallet was still in his pocket and the ID confirms the name. William Williamson. He came to your book club last night?”
    â€œI brought him,” Connor said. “I was about to goaround to his house and break the news to his . . . uh, partner.”
    â€œTell me about Williamson.”
    â€œHe’s from an Outer Banks family, but the family moved away over the years. He lived in Alaska for a long time, but recently retired and came back. He’s renting a house in Nags Head while looking for something to buy.”
    â€œHow did he hook up with you?” Watson asked.
    â€œHe was friends with my dad when they were young. He recognized my name in some newspaper article and gave me a call a couple of days ago. Mom and Dad are away visiting friends in Colorado, so Williamson suggested he and I meet up.”
    â€œAnd you did?”
    â€œSure I did. Aside from the fact that I like most of my dad’s old buddies and love hearing their stories, Williamson says he’s moving back to OBX. That means a potential voter. Not to mention campaign contributor. He seems . . . seemed . . . to be well-off financially.”
    â€œFair enough,” Watson said. “So you brought them to your book club. That’s an odd place to invite a guest. Heck, my wife’s always after me to come along, but that’s only because she thinks I need hobbies.” He might have added “Over my dead body” under his breath, but I couldn’t be sure.
    Connor chuckled. “Believe me—Will had no interest whatsoever in our book club, but his girlfriend was keen. She said if she’s going to be living here, she wants to make friends.”
    â€œFair enough,” Watson said again.
    â€œI liked her,” I said.
    â€œI’m sure you did,” Watson said. “What time did book club end?”
    â€œThe usual time. Around nine,” Connor said.
    â€œWhat did they do then?”
    Connor, Butch, and I exchanged a glance.
    â€œOkay. What happened?” Watson asked.
    â€œRalph Harper was waiting for Williamson,” Butch said. “Williamson has threatened legal action against Ralph and the coast guard members who rescued him and Marlene, his girlfriend, the night of the big storm when their boat went aground.”
    â€œHe was suing them for saving him?”
    â€œThreatening to, anyway.”
    â€œSo, what happened?”
    â€œNothing much. I told Ralph to back off, and he did. Williamson left before Ralph, but not much before. A minute. Two at the outside.”
    â€œAfter telling you not to mess with the power of the sea, I expect,” Watson said. “I’ll go around to talk to him.”
    â€œI have