Death By Blue Water (A Hayden Kent Mystery Book 1) by Kait Carson

she was behaving like a fool.
    “Okay,” Landsdown said as if no interruption occurred, “what kind of decisions?”
    “May I have a moment alone with my client?” Grant asked.
    Hayden’s jaw tightened at the reference to her as a client. What was in that file?
    “This isn’t an interrogation, counselor. We’re only getting a statement here.”
    “So the answer is no?” Grant snapped his leather notebook portfolio shut and stood. “Have Ms. Kent’s statement typed up, get a copy to my office, and I’ll review it and have her sign it.” He pulled a card from his card case and handed it to Officer Barton. “We’re leaving now. She is right. Her personal reasons for diving have no bearing on your investigation at this stage. If it develops they do, then we’ll discuss them.” He glanced at the red light on the still recording tape machine. “I’d like a copy of the tape of this session as well.”
    Landsdown and Barton looked like Grant slapped them. Barton looked at the detective, who responded with a shrug. “Okay, we’ll get the statement to you. Thank you for your time and for coming down to speak with us.” Landsdown recited the pro forma departure speech as he opened the door to the tiny room.
    Hayden and Grant moved down the long corridor through the lobby and across the parking lot without speaking. The silence was uncomfortable, but Hayden couldn’t think of a thing to say.
    He opened the door to the Jag for her. As she stepped past him he said, “We have to talk.”

Seven

      
    “Thank you, Grant,” Hayden said. She didn’t want to open the door to his last statement. The red car headed north as it pulled out of the police station parking lot. “Where are we going?”
    “Even the condemned man gets a hearty meal.” His grey green eyes sparkled.
    By tacit agreement, they made small talk on the way to the restaurant. Hayden knew Grant was giving her time and space to calm down and digest the interview. She could almost see the wheels of his mind spinning as he ordered his thoughts and looked for holes in her testimony.
    El Senor Loco, Hayden’s favorite Mexican restaurant, overlooked Florida Bay. In a few hours, tourists and locals vying for window seats would fill the restaurant. Right now, it would be empty.
    The restaurant had the reputation of being the best place to see the “green flash.” The sunset phenomenon was actually due to the level of pollution in the air but the restaurant’s menu attributed it to the unique characteristics of the Florida Keys. It also offered a free drink to anyone who saw it. Local legend claimed the vision guaranteed good luck for life.
    As predicted, they had the restaurant to themselves and the prized window seats were still available. “I saw it once, you know.” Hayden said as she took a seat facing the west-looking window. Seeing the look on Grant’s face, she picked up the menu and pointed to the story. “The green flash. I saw it from the road. It flashed right over the old ‘Welcome to Tavernier’ sign. The one that used to mark the bridge leaving Key Largo.”
    Grant cocked an eyebrow in her direction as the waitress put a large basket of tortilla chips and two bowls of salsa on the table.
    Surprised at her hunger, Hayden smiled her thanks to the waitress and dug into the tortilla chips, heaping them with the tangy salsa.
    “I was a little surprised at how you conducted yourself in there,” Grant said. “You know better than to get emotional.”
    The chip crumbled in her fingers. The last thing she’d expected was a reprimand.
    “You need to tell me about the personal issues, Hayden.” He reached into his messenger style briefcase and pulled out his notebook portfolio, placing it on the table next to his chip plate. “And whatever it is that you haven’t told me.”
    Hayden had seen him behave like this with clients, but never with her. It struck her forcibly that he had volunteered as her attorney when they were at the