“And why was that?” Dawson asked. “Were you and Fallon?—”
“No,” Buddy said swiftly. “But we’ve kept in touch. Spoken to each other on the phone. Texted, and some of the messages might be considered explicit.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Before I moved, we hadn’t seen each other since the grand reopening of the Crab Shack. But I was there. I flirted with Fallon, and she flirted back. I thought about her. About something happening, but it didn’t. However, I want you to think about that timeline for a second.” Buddy cocked his head, glancing around the room.
Dawson’s body went rigid.
Chloe’s jaw slacked open.
Flagler exhaled, loudly, as he fell back in the chair. “Jesus. You were still with the FBI—working that case.”
“I was knee deep in it, and there was a very real part of me that didn’t think I should come—considering the operation and where it was heading,” Buddy said. “But I did, and it's very possible someone was watching, keeping track of the people I got close to here. I’ve also made donations to Tessa’s Project since I learned about it. If someone’s been tracking me and my ties to Calusa Cove, it’s possible they’ve also been tracking Fallon.”
“How often did you and she communicate?” Chloe asked.
“After the grand opening, it was probably four or five times a week for close to a year. But I felt like I was leading her on, and the case was getting difficult, so things slowed down. It became more of us checking in with each other. More of a proof of life kind of thing.” Buddy leaned against the desk. “Fallon’s gonna kill me, but I started only texting at work, to keep myself from making inappropriate remarks.”
“Audra would hog tie me and feed me to the gators if I said anything.” Dawson stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“Any chance someone at the Aegis Network could be dirty?” Flagler asked.
“Doubtful, but I suppose anything’s possible.” Buddy rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll have Logan Sarich and his wife, Mia, out of the Orlando office, check into it. They worked with Fletcher?—”
“I know them well.” Dawson nodded. “I’d trust the Sarich brothers with the lives of my kids. They’re about as solid as they come.”
Flagler stood, glancing at his watch. “I best get going. Check in with me regularly. I’ll do the same.”
“Thanks for coming.” Dawson opened the door, stepping aside, then tugged it closed. He leaned against the wall and folded his arms. “Do you remember Bingo?”
“The dock hand that worked for Baily?” Buddy asked. “Didn’t he join the Navy?”
“He did.” Dawson nodded. “He’s in SEAL training. He turned out to be quite the young man. We’re very proud.”
“I bet,” Buddy said. “I remember he was pretty protective of Baily.”
“He views her like a big sister.” Dawson dropped his arms to his side and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Anyway, he’s coming back to town for the fundraiser. Fallon doesn’t know. He wants to surprise her.”
“That’s nice. I’m sure she’ll love it.” It always amazed Buddy how close this community was—even after residents left—they were still part of the town.
“How’s Fallon holding up with all that’s been happening?” Chloe gathered all the papers and the file and neatly stacked them in the corner of the table.
Buddy swallowed, a knot forming hard and unmovable in his chest. “She’s tough. One of the toughest women I’ve ever known. But she’s… she’s showing cracks.”
“Understandable,” Dawson said.
Buddy stared at the wall as if he could see right through it and into the water beyond. “She and Cullen could’ve died in that fire in the Glades. She almost got shot, but instead, Trent took that bullet for her. Someone left that note at her house. Sent that jacket to the marina. Every hit keeps landing on her—but something tells me the messaging is meant for me.” He exhaled. Slow. Controlled. Not enough. “I’m worried and not in the conventional way. Not in the way that gets my hair standing on end during a case. It’s more than whatever our unsub is doing now… but what he’s planning next because this is no longer just a case. It’s personal.”
Dawson drummed his fingers once on the table. “I keep circling back to you and Fallon and what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come to Calusa Cove.”
“Fallon’s life would’ve gone on as usual. Her fundraiser would’ve continued. And there’d be no clues as to what might’ve happened to Tessa. And I’d still be dealing with this, but the audible call would be different. The game slightly different.”
“So, Blue 42 is still a taunt, regardless of what it means.”
“No.” Buddy shook his head. “It’s worse.”
They all looked at him.
* * *
Buddy lifted the old folder with Fallon’s name scrawled in the corner.
