Free Death at the Door by K. C. Greenlief Page B

He gave them a photograph of the colorful abstract and explained that although he had never much liked the painting, it had been one of his wife’s favorite art objects. An expression of satisfaction spread across his face as he explained how he had won it in the divorce. When Lacey commented that it seemed a little out of place in the northwoods decor of the cabin, he told her that he had been planning on selling it and didn’t care if he ever got it back as long as he got the insurance money for it.
    Mr. Gorean denied using a cleaning service, stating that he did not like having strangers in his house and that he was perfectly capable of picking up after himself after living for years with his slovenly ex-wife. He did not have a security system but did keep his house locked at all times. He said that he had no idea anyone had been in his house until he went to get out his coin collection the morning after he had arrived and discovered it was gone. The painting had been sitting in a corner of the cottage guest room. He had discovered that it was missing while doing a search of the cabin after discovering the theft of the coins.
    Lark and Lacey checked out the interior and the grounds of both houses and found nothing out of place. Both homes were situated down winding drives and shrouded by evergreens and underbrush that made them hard to see from the road. Both homes were on the shore of Lake Michigan, and each had a pier and a dock for the owner’s boat. Mr. Gorean also had an old ramshackle barn on his property. They walked through the barn and found nothing of interest. They scheduled times for the evidence techs to go over both houses and headed back to the dock to catch the ferry.

Tuesday Afternoon
    May 29—Washinton Island, Wisconsin
    Lark and Lacey pulled up to the dock and stared at the white-capped waves the ferry was leaving in its wake as it chugged out into the lake.
    â€œDammit, Lark. I told you we were going to be late, but, nooo, you had to take your sweet time checking out that barn, and what did we find? Nothing. Not a damn thing. Now we’re going to be stuck here all night.” She slumped forward and rested her head against the steering wheel. “I should have never taken my overnight bag out of the car. It was in here for months after that two weeks I spent in Big Oak. Why me?” she moaned.
    â€œYou seem a little upset about missing the ferry.” Lark reached over and patted her shoulder. “I’m sure lover boy can get along by himself for one night.”
    â€œYou bastard.” Lacey slapped his hand away and started the car. “Where to now?”
    â€œWhy don’t we see if the ferry will make one more run tonight?” Lark got out of the car and headed for the ferry office. Lacey sighed and followed him. The office was dark and the door was locked.
    â€œThat went well,” Lacey snapped as they headed back to the car.
    â€œYou have a better idea?”
    â€œLet’s go find some toiletries and a place to stay. Then let’s get some dinner. I want to go to bed early so we can be on the first ferry in the morning.”
    They left the parking lot and drove out to Mann’s Mercantile, where they bought the necessities of life—toothbrush, toothpaste, beer, potato chips, and a Washington Island sleep shirt for Lacey. The clerk cheerfully recommended the Horizon Resort on the west side of the island and offered to call for reservations. Lacey got directions and insisted that they drive there instead. It took less than five minutes to get to the hotel named the Horizon for the breathtaking westward view of Lake Michigan.
    â€œI swear, if they don’t have two rooms, I’m sleeping on the damn beach.” Lacey got out of the car and headed for the office.
    â€œIf they don’t have two rooms, I’ll sleep in the car and you can have the bed.” Lark opened the office door for her.
    They were quickly put out of