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sheriff, midforties and balding, watched as the emergency road crew positioned the last of the fluorescent pylons to warn motorists traveling the narrow two-lane Bay Road. On each side of the pavement, water slapped against the stone embankment.
    Wayne turned to Matt and stretched out his hand. “What a night. Flash floods and another home broken into on the mainland.”
    Matt returned the handshake. “Kind of spoils the peace and quiet we like here in coastal Georgia.”
    â€œSo far, the break-ins have stayed in the dock area. I’ll pull in a few of our more colorful locals for a little heart-to-heart. Might get lucky.”
    The sheriff slapped Matt’s back, then paused for a moment. “Heard you’re leaving.”
    Matt nodded. “Soon as the Island Association finds a replacement.”
    â€œBig shoes to fill.”
    â€œThanks, Wayne.”
    The sheriff waved his hand in the air and lumbered off to his squad car just as Jason Everett stepped forward. Tall and lanky, the twenty-two-year-old was the youngest member of the security team.
    â€œHow’s the embankment holding up?” Matt asked.
    â€œWater’s high, but the northern wall’s still solid. Southern side’s a piece a—”
    Matt raised a reproachful eyebrow at his outspoken assistant.
    â€œWashed out with the storm is what I was going to say,” Jason hastily added.
    Matt glanced at his watch. “Don’t you have an 8:00 a.m. class?”
    â€œI can skip.”
    â€œNot today, Jas. I told you when I hired you, part-time until you get your degree. You’ve been on the clock for more than fifteen hours. Better head over to the mainland and clean up. I wouldn’t want your professor complaining you smelled up his classroom.”
    Grinning, Jason started to walk toward his pickup. “Heard you had a lady friend in the office last night,” he called over his shoulder.
    â€œEunice talks too much. A houseguest of Ms. O’Connor’s had a little problem with the security alarm.”
    â€œRight.” The kid exaggerated a nod.
    â€œJason, go home. Clean up. Get to class.”
    The young guard wiped the smirk from his face but his eyes twinkled with mischief. He raised hisright hand to his forehead in a salute. “Yes, sir.” Dutifully, he climbed into his pickup and headed toward the mainland.
    Matt watched the truck disappear from sight. The kid had the makings of a good cop, just so long as his enthusiasm didn’t get the best of him.
    Keep him safe, Lord.
    The first hint of dawn glowed on the horizon. Overhead, a few stars twinkled, like fireflies on a hot, summer night.
    Father, only You know what today will hold. Help me do my job to the best of my ability. Aid me in every endeavor. And forgive me my transgressions.
    Lowering his eyes, he stepped toward his truck.
    Fair skies and sunshine, the weather reporter had said. A perfect day, except for all that had happened in the last few hours—a woman and child arrived in Sanctuary with only the clothes on their backs and a storm nearly wiped out the island’s only connection with the mainland.
    Traveling without luggage screamed of running from something. Ms. O’Connor had vouched for her houseguests, yet instinct told Matt that Lydia Sloan’s story didn’t add up one hundred percent. She was someone to be watched.
    Not that he had time to play private investigator. He had reports to file and damage from the storm to assess. He climbed into his truck, pulled onto the pavement and turned left at the next intersection.
    So why was he heading north on Cove Road?
    Because he couldn’t get the woman’s vulnerable look out of his head.
    And the boy? A couple of years younger but Tyler reminded him of Enrico.
    Matt pushed the memory aside and focused on the road ahead. At the turnoff to Katherine’s house, Matt lowered his headlights, shoved the gear into neutral and coasted into