Against the Tide Read Online Free PDF Page A

isn’t exactly good news. Someone who only works part-time could miss something important.”
    â€œShe’s a good doctor, but you’re right. It’s not exactly like having some hot-shot CSI on the case like you see on TV.”
    â€œSpeaking of forensics, maybe Scotty left something on the boat. Have you been back aboard yet?”
    â€œNo. It’s part of the crime scene. As soon as it’s cleared, I’m supposed to take a look, see if anything’s missing.”
    Olivia leaned back as he turned the SUV at the corner and drove up in front of the Seaside Motel.
    â€œIn the meantime, we’ll see what Ben has to say.” Pulling into the parking lot of the two-story clapboard structure, he turned off the engine and Olivia climbed out of the vehicle. The motel was inexpensive but clean, with two dozen sparsely furnished rooms, six upstairs, six down.
    Rafe held open the motel office door, and Liv preceded him inside and walked up to the counter. When Rafe leaned over and rang the service bell, his big, hard body brushed hers, and her breath caught. Just standing next to him was making her heart beat a little too fast.
    Olivia couldn’t remember a man affecting her the way Rafe did. She’d noticed him the first time he’d walked into the café and every time since. She’d told herself it was just that he was such a handsome man and she hadn’t had sex in years. It was just that he was tall and good-looking, with a lean-muscled body that filled out his long-sleeved thermals in exactly the right places. Any normal, red-blooded female would be attracted to a man as sexy as Rafe.
    Whatever the reason, she needed to keep her guard up.
    Then again, Rafe Brodie was the most eligible bachelor in town. Half the women in Valdez were in love with him. Since he had never shown any real interest in her, maybe she was worrying for nothing.
    She latched on to the thought as Ben walked out of the back and spotted them on the opposite side of the counter. He was a short man, a little rotund, with a receding hairline and a cheerful disposition. She could tell by the grim set of his features that Ben had heard about Scotty.
    â€œI guess you know,” Rafe said, coming to the same conclusion.
    â€œIt’s all over town. Goddamn the bastards. I can’t believe he’s dead.”
    â€œDid you see him last night? Did he show up for the poker game?”
    â€œHe was here. Scotty rarely misses.”
    â€œHave you talked to the police?”
    â€œNot yet. I’m surprised no one’s come round asking questions.”
    â€œRosen wasn’t able to question Cassie. She was too upset. The chief doesn’t know Scottie was here last night before he was killed. You know why he went back to the boat instead of going home?”
    Ben shook his head. “No idea. We were all feeling real good with the tourist season kicking in and business picking up. We decided to raise the limit a little, and Scotty started winning. The kid was on a roll, cleaned us all out. When he got up to leave, Marty ragged him about staying, thought he should give the guys a chance to win back some of their money. But Scott wanted to get home. Said something about buying Cassie a real nice wedding gift with his winnings.”
    Ben shook his head. “Damn shame is what it is. Goddamn shame, nice boy like that.”
    Olivia looked up at Rafe. Scott had left with more money in his pocket than he usually carried. Maybe that was the reason he’d been mugged. But how would anyone except the other players have known?
    Rafe asked the question she was thinking. “Besides you and Scott, who else was in the game?”
    â€œLike I said, Marty Grossman was a player. Sam King and Chip Reed were the other two guys.”
    â€œReed used to date Cassie,” Rafe said. “They were pretty hot and heavy at one time. Then she met Scotty and Chip was out the door. How did Reed and Scotty get