Page 14 of Hidden Tide

Ward stepped between her and Thomas.

Not threatening.

Protective.

She stopped several feet away.

“Lieutenant Harper,” she introduced herself. “Commander Keating asked me to secure the residence until he arrives. I understand Mr. Bell may have information concerning the man recovered from Blackwater.”

Thomas looked at her.

“I might.”

“I need to ask you not to discuss any details you haven’t already shared until the commander and federal investigators can take your statement.”

Mom stood.

“He just told me I had an uncle no one ever mentioned.”

Lieutenant Harper’s expression softened.

“I understand this is personal.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” She glanced toward Nathan’s phone. “But if that photograph helped Mr. Bell identify the victim, what he knows may be important to a murder investigation.”

Mom’s anger faltered.

Murder.

We had all heard Ben say it, but Lieutenant Harper made it official.

Someone killed Grandpa’s brother and concealed his body inside Blackwater.

Thomas nodded slowly.

“I won’t say anything else until the commander arrives.”

Lieutenant Harper inclined her head.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t like waiting.

But I understood why it mattered.

If Thomas knew something that could help prosecute Jonathan’s killer, the investigators needed his statement given properly. Not passed through five sisters, Nathan, Ward, and half a dozen other people first.

“What do we do now?” I asked.

“Remain at the house,” Harper answered. “We’ve closed the beach in both directions, and a patrol boat is stationed beyond the reef. Commander Keating should arrive within twenty minutes.”

“With Ben?”

“Yes.”

The tightness inside my chest eased.