Free Nowhere to Hide by Debby Giusti Page B

mainland—”
    â€œI’ll check it out. Call me if you hear or see anything else.”
    â€œThanks, Chief. Appreciate your help.”
    Matt hung up, then rang Eunice.
    â€œWhere’s Jason?”
    â€œIn the marina area,” the dispatcher said.
    â€œHave him drive south along the beach. Tell him to be on the lookout for teens having a little late-night fun. I’ll drive north and meet him en route.”
    Matt climbed into his pickup and headed for the beach access road. Lowering his headlights, he rolled down the window and listened. Water lapped against the shore.
    Low tide.
    Quiet. Peaceful.
    He stopped at the Davenport property line and turned on his searchlight. No movement. Nothing out of place in the serene seaside setting.
    Easing his foot down on the accelerator, he drove past Joel Cowan’s home, dark against the night sky.
    Strange.
    Most of the residents spotlighted their homes atnight. Maybe Cowan liked entertaining his lady friends by starlight.
    A few more houses sat back from the beach, their backyard lights filtering onto the sand.
    The Jackson home, then Ms. O’Connor’s place.
    Matt stopped and leaned out the window as Jason pulled up next to him. “See anything?”
    â€œNo, sir. Not a soul from the marina south.”
    â€œMrs. Davenport heard something when she was coming home from her bridge party.”
    The kid pretended to heft a glass to his lips. “You know those ladies like their wine.”
    â€œThose ladies are funding your paycheck, young man. Best not disparage the hand that feeds you.”
    Jason cleared his throat and straightened himself in his seat. “I’ll continue south till the cove ends, then backtrack to the marina. Sam needs help with his boat. Won’t take long.”
    â€œSullivan on the gate?”
    â€œRoger that. Talked to him a couple minutes ago. Everything’s quiet at his end.”
    â€œLet me know if you spot anything.”
    â€œWill do.”
    Jason drove on, leaving Matt to stare into the darkness for a long moment before he eased the truck forward.
    A flash caught his eye.
    He jammed on the brake and studied the night. Ms. O’Connor’s house sat shadowed in the distance.
    What had he seen? A reflection?
    Matt grabbed his keys from the ignition and stepped from his truck.
    Probably nothing, but better safe than sorry.
    He climbed the trail that led to the property, the sand soft under his feet. Sweat trickled down the small of his back. He wiped at his shirt, then rubbed his left hand across his brow.
    Nearing the house, he noted the blinds and draperies were drawn. The house appeared to be locked up tight. For all he knew, Lydia and Tyler could have driven into the mainland for dinner and a late movie.
    Something rustled in the wind. He turned toward the sound. Saw movement. An animal. No—
    A man.
    Standing on a picnic table, he was peering through the small window.
    Matt charged the deck.
    The guy turned, his face backlit.
    Tall, medium build.
    Dark shirt, khaki pants, baseball cap. The guy leaped down and dashed out of sight.
    Hoisting himself over the railing, Matt followed him around the side of the house, then stopped short in the front yard.
    The Peeping Tom had disappeared.
    Dense forest surrounded the landscaped lawn. A path cut through the underbrush. Matt raced forward, dodging branches and pushing back the thick foliage.
    The trail led to the property next door.
    Rob Jackson stood on his deck, pointing. “Kid headed for the beach. About a minute ahead of you.”
    â€œWhich way did he turn?”
    â€œNorth. Toward the marina.”
    Matt raced to the beach and scanned the shoreline.
    Nothing moved in either direction.
    Grabbing his radio, he punched in the dispatcher’s code. “Eunice, Peeping Tom at 50 Cove Road. Have Jason backtrack to the O’Connor house. Alert Sullivan. We’re looking for a Caucasian male, tall, medium build, dark shirt,