Reading · Victoria LK Williams, author

Now Available: https://books2read.com/MilosBeachMystery

Chapter 5

Lily stared at Billy, her mouth hanging open. Had he just accused her of being responsible for the blood at their feet?

“Don’t be ridiculous. I had no idea this was here anymore than you did, and the only one with a weapon was your friend Sarge.”

“Yeah, I’d better let Dale Trapper know what’s going on. He’s not going to be happy about this.” Billy paused, studying her. “I can drag you up to the house with me, or—if you’re not afraid—you can stay here. It’ll go a lot faster if I run up by myself. There’ll be fewer questions, and to be honest, Sarge will take me at my word. If you’re along, he’s going to be suspicious, just like I was. And that won’t be good for you.”

Lily didn’t hesitate. While she had no desire to stay alone on the beach, she had even less desire to confront the occupants of the large house. She’d met Mr. Trapper a few times in her life, and to be honest, he intimidated the heck out of her.

“Go. You’re right. It’ll be faster if I don’t go with you.”

“Grab your cat and wait closer to the shore. That way you can see us coming,” Billy said. Lily knew he was more concerned about being able to see her from a distance. He’d easily lose sight of her if she stayed among the sawgrasses.

That was fine by her.

She swooped down, picked up Milo, and followed Billy back to the beach. From there, he took off toward the main house, his long legs eating up the distance as if he were charging for a touchdown.

As soon as he was out of sight, Lily pulled the object she’d picked up earlier from her pocket. It looked like a bullet casing—but she couldn’t be sure. Deciding self‑preservation was her best course of action, especially after Billy had nearly accused her of wrongdoing, Lily made a quick decision to call for reinforcements. And she knew exactly who would come running for any Fairbanks sister at a moment’s notice.

Lily didn’t have to think about who to call. Her fingers found James’s number the way her feet found the path to the ocean—without hesitation, without debate. It had always been that way with James Scott. When the world tilted sideways, he was the voice that leveled it again. She pressed the phone to her ear and felt the knot between her shoulder blades loosen the moment he answered. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries, didn’t ask unnecessary questions. He listened, and in the brief silence before he spoke, Lily could hear him already moving—keys jingling, a door closing. That silence said more than most people’s promises.

“I’m on my way” was all he offered, and it was enough. It was always enough.

She hadn’t even considered calling anyone else first, and as she hung up, that realization settled over her like warm sand. She’d examine it later—or more likely, she wouldn’t.

James Scott was like family—heck, he almost was family. His brother had married her sister Anna. But James also worked in local law enforcement, assigned to the district attorney’s office. In a small town, it wasn’t unusual for him to be involved in investigations, especially when friends were concerned.

After hanging up, Lily stared at her phone for a moment, then impulsively made another call. Shelly wouldn’t have had the chance to contact her boss—not under the watchful eyes of the Trappers. And as much as she hated having to call in the reinforcements, she knew she was no match for the power and position of the Trappers on her own.

Zack Sampson reacted immediately to Lily’s description of what they’d found. He assured her he’d be at the beach within minutes. As he spoke, Lily could hear background noise—running footsteps, then the sound of a boat engine starting. Chances were Zack would arrive before James.

Lily didn’t care who got there first. She just wanted backup.

She slipped the bullet casing back into her pocket and sat on the beach with Milo, waiting and wondering what would happen next—and who would arrive first.

She didn’t have to wait long.

In under ten minutes, a Jeep tore across the sand toward her from the direction of the house. She could see Sarge, Billy, and Shelly bouncing in the vehicle as it barreled over the dunes. Lily’s stomach tightened when she noticed a second Jeep following close behind, driven by a well‑groomed, middle‑aged man in business attire.

Dale Trapper.

Sarge brought the Jeep to an abrupt stop near Lily, sand spraying everywhere. He jumped out and motioned for Billy and Shelly to follow. Grabbing Lily by the arm, he yanked her to her feet.

“Hey—watch it! There’s no reason to manhandle me,” Lily snapped, and Milo hissed menacingly.

The sound stopped Sarge short. He stared down at the cat, clearly startled.

“How did this cat get here?” he asked.

Before Lily could answer, Dale Trapper jumped out of his Jeep and strode toward them.

“Sarge, let go of Miss Fairbanks,” Dale said, taking in the guard’s grip.

Sarge immediately released her and muttered an apology.

Billy ignored the exchange and headed toward the dunes. “It’s over this way, Mr. Trapper.”

The group followed single file. Milo stayed tucked in Lily’s arms, Shelly close beside her. Sarge brought up the rear, as if making sure no one tried to run, but positioned where he could watch them and keep an eye on the beach. He missed nothing. But when Lilly looked back his eyes were darting between her and Shelly, and she had the uncomfortable feeling of being filed away somewhere behind his flat expression. Habit, Lily thought. Or paranoia.

When they reached the pool of blood, Mr. Trapper froze. His eyes widened when he spotted the backpack.

“That’s Carl’s,” he said sharply. “He’s not even supposed to be here—he had a meeting in town. So why is his backpack here? And whose blood is that?”

Before anyone could answer, the sound of a motorboat cut through the air. A male voice shouted Shelly’s name from the water.

“Thanks, Lily,” Shelly murmured. She knew instantly who it was and why he was here.

Dale Trapper turned toward the shoreline, fury written across his face. This was clearly not part of his plan.

Shelly pushed past Sarge and headed back toward the beach, where Zack Sampson stood staring open‑mouthed at the newly formed inlet.

“What’s going on here?” he called as Shelly reached him.

“More than meets the eye,” she replied. “There’s been some kind of accident here, too.”

Shelly quickly filled him in. Moments later, Lily, Billy, and Mr. Trapper joined them. Lily explained that Sarge had begun searching the area after they found the backpack.

“Mr. Trapper,” Zack said evenly, “can you explain why you suddenly have a private island? And don’t tell me the storm did it.”

Dale Trapper straightened, looking down his nose at the two environmentalists. He clearly didn’t want to answer—but something else weighed on him more.

Where was his son?

Lily saw the moment he made his decision. Carl mattered more than whatever he was hiding.

Together, they told Zack about the blood and the abandoned backpack. Zack was reaching for his phone to call the Coast Guard when the sound of sirens filled the air. A cutter came racing up the shoreline, lights flashing.

“Who called the Coast Guard?” Dale demanded.

They all looked at one another.

No one had.

As the boat slowed, Lily spotted James at the helm beside a Coast Guard officer, waving at her.

She smiled faintly.

She hadn’t needed to call the Coast Guard at all. One call to a true friend had been enough to set everything in motion.

Milo's Beach Mystery

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