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outside.”
    “Maybe he left with someone else.”
    A noise came from their left, then Brian’s head appeared over the top of the bulkhead.
    He stopped when he saw them. He began to smile when he saw Wynne. “You looking for me? I was working on the brightwork.” He joined them. Brian’s smile faltered when he saw the expression on Simon’s face. “I’m sorry, Simon. I know it must be hard.”
    “Thanks.” Simon hadn’t had time to examine how he felt. When Amanda left him, he’d been hurt but had soon realized he’d just been lonely, and she filled the spot. He’d thought she really loved him. For the firsttime, he began to wonder if she’d left with Jerry for another reason. He gave a slight shake of his head. She had her suitcase with her. He was grasping at straws.
    He dragged his attention back to his cousin. “Thanks. What else did the sheriff say?”
    “He—he asked a lot of questions.”
    “About me?”
    Brian nodded. “He wanted to know what you and Amanda had argued about the day before she disappeared with Jerry.”
    Luckily, Brian didn’t know what the argument was about. Simon gave a nod. “What else?”
    “Whether there were any disagreements between you and Jerry.”
    “He didn’t ask about any other enemies Jerry might have had?”
    “No.”
    “He thinks he’s found his man, and I’m it.” Simon’s gaze met Wynne’s, and the sympathy in her eyes lifted the cloud he’d been fighting all day. She didn’t really know him, yet she believed him. The more he was around her, the more he appreciated what he saw. She would be a powerful ally to anyone.
    The front door banged, and Simon heard an angry shout.
    “Lassiter, I know you’re in here!”
    It sounded like Amanda’s brother, Alan Whistler. Simon turned to see Alan stalk between two boats. His too-small head looked incongruous with his linebacker body. Dark eyes set too close together completed a picture of a body that didn’t quite go together.
    “Hello, Alan.” Simon stepped out to intercept him.
    Alan didn’t answer. He came at Simon with both fists swinging. Simon ducked and caught Alan’s right wrist in his hand. Stepping into the punch, Simon flipped Alan around with his arm behind his back.
    “Let me go!” Alan struggled to get free.
    Simon caught a whiff of alcohol. “Calm down and I will.”
    Alan began to weep, a huh-huh-huh sound that sounded like it was ripping his throat apart. He dropped to his knees and covered his face with his hands. Simon curled his fingers into his palm. He wanted to comfort Alan, but the two had never been the best of friends.
    Wynne glanced at Simon with confusion on her face. Who is he? she mouthed.
    Amanda’s brother , he mouthed back. She nodded. The comprehension flooding her face was followed with sympathy.
    She knelt beside Alan and put her arm around his shoulders. “I’m sorry about your sister,” she said. “We’re trying to find the boat to see if we can discover what happened.”
    Alan raised his head. “I know what happened,” he said, his voice choked. He raised his hand and pointed at Simon. “He murdered Amanda and Jerry.”
    Wynne’s hand dropped. She stood and backed away from Alan. “Your grief is clouding your judgment.”
    He looked at Wynne. “Who are you anyway? His new girlfriend? His money isn’t worth it.” He spat thewords and stood, ramming his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
    Simon clenched his fists. “That’s enough, Alan,” he said. “I know you’re upset, but you don’t need to take it out on Wynne. This is Wynne Baxter.”
    Alan’s scowl faded. “Baxter? You’re related to the Baxters of Windigo Manor?”
    “She’s Becca’s sister,” Brian put in.
    Alan sneered at Simon. “Going for respectability? Even hooking up with a Baxter won’t wash away what you are.”
    Simon rubbed his head. “Look, go home, Alan. You’re not making sense. I know you’re upset, and I’m sorry about that. But bandying words with me