Love Can Be Murder by Haven Heather

Author:Haven, Heather
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

The service went fast, almost too fast. D. I. was closed for the day and all employees, except for Richard, came to Colma to show their respects for a fellow worker. Even Stanley wore a sober tie. Jake had been cremated according to his wishes, and the ceremony was short and sweet.

Mom invited everyone back to the house for her version of cake and coffee. That would be cheese and egg soufflés, smoked salmon, cucumber sandwiches, French pastries, and flowing wine served in her best crystal goblets. Gurn and I passed on the wake and headed to the Collier Compound.

We pulled up to the gatehouse and stopped. Gurn has an air of authority about him, even out of uniform. But when the guard leaned in, and saluted smartly, I was taken aback.

“Lt. Commander Hanson, sir. This is a surprise, sir.”

Gurn paused a moment before saying, “Midshipman Bulward, isn’t it? From our NROTC days. Kurt Bulward?”

“Sir, yes sir.”

“I see you’re in private service, Bulward.”

“Sir, yes sir. Dropped out of college, had a run of bad luck, and here I am, sir. But it pays very well.”

“Glad you landed on your feet.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gurn turned to me. “You know Ms. Alvarez, Bulward?”

“Yes sir, from the other day. We’ve been expecting you, ma’am.”

“Where’s the German Shepherd?” I leaned over Gurn to ask the guard.

“On a break, ma’am.” With a smile, he passed a clipboard through the window to me. “This is a list of the personnel inside the compound at this time, ma’am. There are seven of them. Our instructions are not to notify anyone you are entering nor let anyone out until you give the word.”

“Bully, Bulward,” I said, taking the clipboard from his extended hand. “I mean, thank you. You’re sure no one has come out of the compound since last night?”

“No ma’am. The list of people in residence is at the bottom. After Collier’s daughter and her nanny left last night under police escort, there were seven of them inside. Still are. This is the only way in or out. Mr. Collier had it set up that way. Even went as far as placing eight-foot high electronically monitored fences around the perimeter. When a bird sits on one, we know about it.”

“It all sounds very San Quentin to me.”

“Ma’am?” Bulward gave me a puzzled look.

Gurn looked at me and rolled his eyes. He turned back to the guard. “Just let us pass, Bulward.”

“Yes, sir.” Bulward saluted again and pressed a button inside the gate.

The double gate glided open and we drove through. The tropical world of the Collier Compound opened up to us, but Gurn didn’t notice. He had a pensive look on his face, no doubt regarding his ex-cadet, Bulward.

“Small world, huh?” I studied Gurn’s face. “Running into one of your former cadets like that.”

“Not everyone makes it,” he said. “I’m just a bit sad when I come across one, though.” He shook off the past, and looked around him. “Is that a strutting peacock I see?”

“And Flamingos, too.”

We rounded a turn in the road, sided by rare tropical plants.

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