“No one who had any helpful information.Those who were being blackmailed only knew their blackmailer, and those more involved are terrified of talking.”
“So why now?”Ryan asked.“Stonefish seem well connected.They might have been doing this for years.Why is it all coming to light now?For us in Blackbridge, the patriarch running the show was ill and his children made a mess of things while trying to take over.”
Dot considered the people around town.“I can’t think of anyone in a similar situation.It all started when Stonefish tried to buy Retribution Ridge.”
“Could the owners have been involved with Stonefish?They died, didn’t they?”
Dot was impressed he remembered.“Yes, but I can’t see Bill or Beth being involved.They loved the land and their kids.”
“Loved it enough to do anything to protect them?”Ryan asked.
Her muscles tightened at the suggestion, but she had to put her emotions aside.She sighed.“It might be worth investigating, though none of their kids will like it.”
“Will they hinder you?”
She shook her head.“They wouldn’t dare.”
“Anyone who lives alone, or has an isolated property?”
“Most properties which aren’t in town are isolated,” Dot said.“You know what it’s like.”
He nodded.
They arrived at the coffee shop and Dot greeted Tammy and ordered the coffees.
“Has the treasure been found yet, Dot?”Tammy asked.“We’ve got a few people asking questions about where the wreck is.”
Dot smothered her groan.“I hope you’re telling them it’s out of bounds,” she said.“I’ve got enough work to do without dealing with trespassers.”
Tammy looked slightly guilty, which didn’t surprise Dot in the least.“Is there really treasure?”
Dot shook her head.“People have to stop believing in get rich quick schemes.Even if there’d been treasure, someone would have found it long ago.”
“So it might still be there?”Tammy asked.
The woman didn’t know when to give up.“The team from the museum has found no traces of it, so I would say no.”
Tammy turned her attention to Ryan.“I haven’t seen you around town before.”
Ryan gave her an easy smile.“My family is here for a holiday.”
“How do you know Dot?”
“We’re friends from way back,” Ryan said.“Do those custard tarts taste as good as they look?”
“Better,” Tammy said.“I make them myself.”
“I’ll take one.”
By the time Tammy had bagged the tart, and a cream doughnut for Dot, the coffees were ready.Dot collected them, and they headed out before she could ask more questions.
“A gossip, or looking for information?”Ryan asked.
“Who, Tammy?”Dot frowned.“I don’t think she’s malicious.”
“She’d be in a good position to hear what’s going on in town, and insistent enough to get the information she wants.”
“So would most of the shopkeepers in town,” Dot said.“Pretty much everyone has to stop at this complex at some stage on their journey, if only to buy milk.”He had a good point though.Stonefish seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere and Tammy would be a good suspect.So would Lindsay.
