“When did some guy throw trash off the boat?” Molson asked, starting to feel a little excited. “What sort of trash?”
“It was a baggy with white powder in it,” she stated importantly. “I know because I grabbed the net and took it out of the water. Otherwise it could have gotten wrapped around a motor or a fish could have eaten it.”
“What day?” Molson barely breathed the words. Here it was. The missing piece. Someone who would be able to prove evidence had been planted on the boat.
“October second,” she held out her book. “I wrote it in my journal. It was the morning of my birthday. I came out to watch the sun rise and there was a man on Mr. Ramesly’s boat. He threw the baggy overboard and then left.”
One day before Michael’s arrest. Molson couldn’t believe his luck. He’d stumbled on a witness. “Do you think you could remember what the man looked like? If you saw him again, would you know who he was?”
“Of course, I would,” she gave him a look like he was silly.
Molson took a deep breath to control his emotions. He was going to get Michael out of jail. All through the testimony of a little girl. Digging into his cargo pants pocket, Molson took out his cellphone, swiping to a picture of David Ramesly he’d pulled off the internet. “Is this him?”
She shook her head. “No. The man was younger.”
Molson’s heart sank. It could have been anyone. Now all they had was a mystery man possibly planting evidence the day before Michael’s arrest. “It wasn’t Mr. Ramesly?”
“No. I know Mr. and Mrs. Ramesly,” she pointed up the beach. “They’re our neighbors.”
“Madison!” a woman came walking down the dock at a fast clip.
“Your mom?” Molson guessed.
“Yup,” Madison rolled her eyes. “She’s overprotective.”
“Madison, what have we said about talking to strangers?” the breathless woman grabbed her daughter’s shoulders, giving Molson a nervous look.
“He was asking about Mr. Ramesly’s boat,” Madison tried to explain but was cut off by the fearful woman.
“Madison hush,” she remonstrated before turning her attention to Molson. “I don’t know who you are, but you shouldn’t be talking to little girls alone. I think you should go before I call the security guard over.”
“Ma’am, if it makes you feel safer please call the security guard,” Molson offered. He had surprised her, he could tell. She had judged him by his appearance and thought him a scary bad guy. Tamping down his feelings of disappointment, Molson focused on Madison and what she’d seen. “Your daughter saw a man on Mr. Ramesly’s boat the day before he was arrested. I’m trying to figure out who the man was. It’s my hope that we can prove Michael Ramesly innocent of what he’s been charged with.”
She hesitated. “The Ramesly’s have always been such good neighbors. They’re nice people.”
“I believe he didn’t do what they are accusing him of,” Molson explained patiently. He searched in his wallet for one of the business cards he’d swiped from Drew. “If your daughter can help prove that, then I’d really appreciate your family’s cooperation. My brother is Detective Andrew Colborne. He works with the local police department. He’s going to want to talk to Madison about what she saw.”
“Are you a private detective?” she frowned as she took the card. Madison’s mom was obviously trying to put him in a better category of class so that she would feel more comfortable talking to him. “Is that why you’re dressed this way? And have the tattoos?”
“Something like that,” Molson prevaricated nicely. He could see her relax as she pocketed the card.
“We’ll be happy to help. Amy, the Ramesly’s daughter, sometimes comes over for play dates,” she motioned to her own daughter. “Madison is really good with her and I enjoy Ann’s company.”
“That’s nice,” he responded automatically as a thought occurred to Molson. He quickly tried to find a photo on the internet but couldn’t. Dialing his brother, Molson put the phone to his ear.
“Colborne,” Drew responded distractedly.
“Do you have a picture of Lawe?” Molson asked.
“What has that got to do with anything?” Drew asked, concerned. “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for days.”
“Do you got a picture or not?” Molson scowled. “I got a lead on something.”
“Sending it now,” Drew responded grumpily. “You can’t avoid this. I want to – “
Molson hung up the phone and checked his messages. Pulling up the picture he held the cellphone so that Madison could see it. “Is this the guy you saw?”
“Yes! That’s him!” Madison said excitedly. “Are you going to arrest him for littering?”
