As Maris and Mac watched, the two teams worked around one another. But it was clear, even at a distance, that there was precious little evidence. The flyers were photographed in place, then bagged and labeled. But there was nothing else. As Mac had already noted, there weren’t even any footprints.
It didn’t take long for everyone to finish up. Voight and his assistant enlisted the aid of the investigators and Mac. A normal rolling stretcher wasn’t possible on the sand. Instead they used what appeared to be a canvas stretcher, gripping the fabric loops all around the edge as handholds.
Nor did they use a body bag. The long metal spear wouldn’t fit. Instead, the coroner draped a few sheets over the body. As Maris watched, they managed to get up the steps and over to the van. She opened the doors on the back and stepped aside. Gently, the group settled Audrey on the floor.
As they all climbed back out, Voight took off his latex gloves. “I’ll be in touch,” he said to Mac, before closing the doors on the van.
“Same here,” said the lead investigator.
“Thanks,” Mac said.
There’d been very little talk the entire time, and now Maris wondered if everyone might be thinking what she was: the people who’d most want to see a representative of North American Petroleum dead were the people of Pixie Point Bay.
As the two vehicles pulled away, Mac said, “Her colleague, Joseph Toler. I take it he’s staying at your place?”
Maris nodded. “Yes, as is Julia Mendes.”
Mac took out his keys. “I’ll meet you there.”
4
From the entrance to the driveway, Maris had seen that both Toler and Mendes were at the B&B since their cars were parked outside. As they came to the front door, Mac opened it for her.
“I’d like to speak with Toler first,” he said, then closed the door behind her. “Ms. Graisser’s next of kin need to be notified. NAP ought to have that information.”
“Right,” Maris said, recalling the phone conversation she’d had with Mac all those months ago when her aunt had died. The sound of a male voice came from the library, and it didn’t sound like their handyman. “That must be him.”
Joseph Toler was still wearing the casual suit and shirt he’d been wearing at the pier. He was alone in the library and on his cell phone.
“It’s not a matter of dueling EIRs,” he said, pacing toward the window, his voice insistent and strained. He turned to walk in the opposite direction. “It’s a matter of–” He came to an abrupt stop when he saw Mac and Maris in the doorway. “I’ll call you back.” He thumbed off the power.
“Mr. Toler,” Mac said. “I’m Sheriff McKenna. I’d like to have a word with you.”
The lawyer dropped his phone into his pants pocket. “Okay,” he said, his tone neutral although a wary look crossed his face.
“Would you like to have a seat?” Mac asked.
“No,” Joseph said. “I’d prefer to stand.” He glanced at Maris, and then back to the sheriff. “What’s this about?”
“I’m afraid I have some bad news,” Mac said. “It’s about Audrey Graisser.”
The lawyer blinked, and his eyebrows rose. “Audrey?” Then he frowned. “What bad news?”
“I’m afraid she’s died,” the sheriff said plainly. “Her body was found on the beach, near the pier.”
“What?” Joseph demanded. He shook his head. “Hold on. Audrey Graisser. My Audrey?”
“Yes,” Mac said. “Your colleague.”
There was silence for a few moments as Toler seemed to have trouble processing what Mac had said. “That’s not possible. I just left her. I’m waiting for her to call.” He shook his head again. “There’s been some mistake.”
Mac leveled his gaze at the lawyer. “I’m afraid there’s been no mistake. I saw the body myself. Audrey Graisser is dead.”
“But…” Toler looked at Maris. “But…how can that be?” He stared at Mac. “How did she die?”
“It appears that she was murdered,” the sheriff said.
Joseph cocked his head back, his eyes huge. “What?” But as the information sank in, his face began to turn red. “How?” he said loudly. “What happened?”
“I’m waiting for reports from the coroner and forensics team,” Mac said truthfully, though it was clear what had killed the poor girl.
“Waiting?” Toler yelled. “Waiting? What are you doing about it?”
“Joseph,” Maris said, “maybe you’d like a glass of water.”
“What I’d like is to know what in the hell you’re doing about this?” he yelled at Mac, who stood his ground but didn’t retort. The lawyer threw his hands in the air and stalked back to the window. “I can’t believe this. Audrey is dead?” He whirled back around and jabbed a finger at Mac. “You were supposed to prevent that. You were supposed to be there and make sure we didn’t get hurt.”
“I was there,” the sheriff replied, his voice rising as well, “to protect everyone, not just you two. The rally ended peacefully and–”
“Is that what you call peacefully?” Toler demanded, the red of his face deepening. He put his hand to his forehead and stared at the ground. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Mr. Toler,” the sheriff said, “I’ve got some questions for you.”
“Not as many as I have for you,” the lawyer shot back, dropping his hand. “You better believe I’m going to make my own investigation.”
“You have that right,” Mac said. “But you do not have the right to impede mine. You can answer my questions here, or you can answer them in my office.” Mac took a notepad from his breast pocket.
Though Toler didn’t seem any more calm, he’d apparently understood the sheriff’s meaning. “Ask,” he said curtly.
“At the end of the rally,” Mac said, “you left with Ms. Graisser. When was the last time you saw her?”
“In the SUV,” he said. “We had to take cover there after you let the rally get out of control.”
Mac ignored the accusation. “The SUV that’s parked outside?”
“Yes,” the
