Dead Low Tide by Eddie Jones

Author:Eddie Jones [Jones, Eddie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780310723936
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Published: 2013-09-27T04:00:00+00:00

“Wow, someone really hates my dad’s guts.”

“Quite the opposite. Whoever wrote this wanted me to interview your father.”

“They did?”

“Oh, absolutely. After receiving a letter like that, I had to meet your father — if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity. In all my years of screening applicants, I have never seen a letter that set the expectations so low. At dinner last night, the only thing your father had to do was say hello and not talk with food in his mouth and I would have been impressed. Look at where the letter came from.”

I studied the envelope. “Hey, that’s our zip code.” I peeked inside the envelope to see if there was a business card or any other clue, but it appeared empty. “Would it be okay if I hung on to this?”

“Be my guest.” She held open the passenger door. “Can I give you a lift somewhere? I’m heading back to the office.”

“I’m supposed to meet someone at the main beach access. Is that far from here?”

“Too far to walk. Hop in.”

We pulled onto the road and headed toward a water tower painted to look like a giant golf ball on a tee. For the life of me, I could not think of anyone back home smart enough or creative enough to compose a letter like that, but it confirmed my hunch that the author of the email had orchestrated our family trip to Palmetto Island. And if so, then maybe my sister’s abduction wasn’t a random act or a publicity stunt, but a carefully planned act — one designed to terrorize my family.

While waiting for a pair of golf carts to cross the street, Ms. Bryant said, “Earlier you mentioned something about Officer McDonald thinking your sister is with friends. But the way you said it, I got the impression you don’t believe him.”

“I know for a fact that’s not what happened. I just can’t seem to convince him of that.”

“You know, that’s not surprising. Officer McDonald can be pretty headstrong. In fact, I’m somewhat surprised he is still working here.”

“Why’s that?”

“Palmetto Island can be an expensive place to live. Especially for someone in the service sector. Most of the island’s labor force lives off-island and commutes, but not Officer McDonald. His home isn’t lavish: a two-bedroom cottage in a cluster community. But it’s not cheap, either. That may be part of why he’s behind on mortgage payments.”

“How would you know that?”

“He made an offer on a townhouse a few months ago. Told me he wanted to get into passive real estate investments — you know, rental property. We ran a credit check. I suggested he get current with his mortgage company, clean up his record, and try again in six months. And I hinted he might want to sell his condo and move off-island. He nearly bit my head off at that suggestion. He must’ve found another Realtor willing to work with him because somehow he got approved for the loan. But unless his finances have changed, I cannot imagine he’s able to make two mortgage payments.

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