Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [106]
"I wasn't expecting anyone," Ashley said apologetically, moving some clutter from the couch. "Do you want to sit down?"
He paused by the coffee table and picked up some photos. They were pictures of boats and racing crews. "For the Castleton?" he asked.
"Yes, I photographed each and every entry."
"They're good. Nice light, excellent color, good angle."
"You sound like you know something about photographs."
"I've worked with a few photographers in my time."
"Photos to go with your articles?"
"Exactly," he said. "That's why I'm here. I was wondering if you might have any photos I can use."
She looked taken aback by the idea. "I -- Uh, I don't know what you mean."
He wondered if Kate had told Ashley he was dropping the article on them. It didn't appear that way, because Ashley suddenly seemed very nervous. She was fidgeting with a chain around her neck and looked like she wished him anywhere but here. "Do you have any photos of your race, shots you took on the Moon Dancer of you, your sisters, and your father?" he asked, figuring her answer would tell him just how much she knew.
"I had some, but I don't know where they are."
"It seems funny, you being a photographer and all, that you wouldn't have them displayed." He looked around her apartment. There were lots of photographs but none of the family. He couldn't quite believe that Ashley had spent nine months on a boat with a pregnant sister and hadn't taken one photo revealing that fact, unless she'd been the one who was pregnant.
"I change my pictures frequently. That race was a long time ago. And I put a lot of stuff in storage when we got back."
Tyler sat down on the couch, deciding to switch tactics. "I met your friend, Sean, the other day. He told me you two were high school sweethearts."
"That's true." She perched on the edge of an armchair.
"It must have been difficult for you to go to sea and leave him behind."
"I didn't have a choice."
"Of course." He smiled to ease the tension he could see tightening the muscles in her face. He sensed he would have to go easy with her or he'd get nowhere. "I bet the boys were all over you and your sisters at the various ports of call. Three good-looking, adventurous blondes. It doesn't get much better than that. You must have been beating them off with a stick."
"Sometimes. But racing men are different. They're so focused on their boats, the other competitors, the weather, the course that everything else is unimportant. Besides, we were pretty young."
"Jailbait," he agreed. "Everyone but Kate." He paused. "What happened with you and Sean when you got back?"
"Nothing. I mean, we broke up."
"Why?'
"Because," she said with a helpless shrug. "It just wasn't going to work anymore. It's hard to come back and start over with someone you haven't seen in a few years."
"True. He still seems very fond of you, though."
She flushed. "I care about him, too."
More than a little, he suspected. "Maybe you'll get back together someday."
"I don't know." She paused, looking decidedly uncomfortable. "Is there something else you wanted? I have some things I need to take care of."
"Well, I know you said you don't have photographs of your race, but I wondered if you have anything of some local sailors or past Castleton races that might be a good accompaniment to my article. I would be happy to pay you for their use, of course."
"I have lots of photos from last year's race week. Let me get my file."
"Sure, take your time," Tyler said as she walked into her bedroom. He didn't really want any photos, but he needed a moment to think about how he could win her trust, and maybe look around a little. Surely this investigator who was communicating so avidly with Mark's attorney would be copying one of the McKenna sisters on what was happening.