"I can't go into specifics, but he was murdered on a job site.”
"Murdered? Who would want to kill Ray?” he asked, like it was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard.
“That's what we're hoping you can help us figure out.”
Wade stepped out of the salon, and we joined him in the cockpit. He was in his late 40s with wavy blonde hair that had mostly turned gray. It hung past his ears. The sun had given him a swarthy tan, and his skin had a leathery quality to it. Wade kept himself in good shape for his age.
The moon glowed overhead, and the boat gently rocked in its slip, waves lapping against the fiberglass hull.
"When did this happen?" Wade asked.
"A few hours ago now,” I said.
"You have any suspects?”
“A few,” I said. "How long have you two been friends?”
"I guess a couple of years now. We hit it off right away. My son’s the same age as Matthew. They’ve been on the same team for a couple of years now, and Ray has been coaching them as they advance. He sponsors the team.”
"What can you tell us about Ken and Bobby Boyd?"
A look of disdain twisted his face. "You think Ken did it?”
I shrugged. "You’d know more than I would.”
"To tell you the truth, I wouldn't put it past either one of them. They're both a little crazy. Ken’s trying to live vicariously through his boy. He pushes that kid way too hard. Bobby’s gotta be under an immense amount of pressure. I don't know how you live up to something like that. Ken is on the kid’s ass for every mistake he makes. It’s no wonder he’s a little rebellious.”
"Beating up a kid and putting him in the hospital seems more than a little rebellious," I said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Ken beats Bobby,” Wade muttered. “The kid’s gotta learn that behavior somewhere." He frowned and shook his head in disgust. "Can you tell me how Ray was killed?”
"I can't share those details at the moment."
Wade gave an understanding nod. "You know, Ken was spending thousands of dollars on private coaching for Bobby. He hired a PR firm. He was doing everything he could to make sure that kid got national exposure. He wanted him to get into a top college.” Then added, “I can understand that. We all want what's best for our kids. But Ken had a lot riding on that championship game. I think he had coordinated scouts to come see Bobby play, but he sat on the bench the entire time. Ray wouldn't put him in. I gotta give Ray credit. He stuck to his guns under a lot of pressure. He told Ken and Bobby that the kid was going to be benched for the rest of the season because of his behavior, and he held to his word.”
“Isn’t 13 a little young to be scouted?”
“Not at a championship game. They like to get an idea of who’s coming up. It’s a different world now.”
"When Bobby beat up that kid, were the police involved?” I asked. “Was a report made?”
"I don't think so. Ray promised the parents of the victim that he would discipline Bobby.”
"Were they on the same team?”
Wade nodded. "I don't think the family wanted to rock the boat. They didn't want to go through all the hassle andpublicity. They just wanted Bobby disciplined. He basically ended Timmy’s season." Wade paused. “From what I understand, Timmy’s making a good recovery.”
I changed directions. "How was Ray's marriage?”
The question caught him a little off guard. "I think it was fine. Why?”
"Was there any infidelity? Was Ray seeing anyone on the side?”
Wade shook his head. "Ray wasn't like that.”
"What about Dana?”
He shrugged. "I don't know what she did on her own time, but I imagine Ray would have said something to me if he thought his wife was fooling around."
