Double Take Chapter 2

"Mr. Lane, this is Lieutenant Goering of the Los Angeles Police Department. We have a few questions concerning an ongoing investigation, and I would appreciate it if you would give me a call as soon as you get this message." The lieutenant left his number, and closed by instructing Sandy to have him paged if he did not pick up.

Maybe it was the therapeutic effect of his afternoon in the surf, but Sandy was remarkably cool and calm as he calculated his position. The police must have come across his name during their search for suspects with a possible motive to do in Buster Cruz. That would include half the surfers on the pro tour, but if they saw the video of Buster decking Sandy at the Masters World, they would have to talk to him. Okay, let's get this over with.

Sandy took the cordless phone out onto his lanai and called the lieutenant's number. He found him at his desk. "Homicide, Goering speaking."

"This is Sandy Lane returning your call."

"Yes sir, thank you for calling me back. I was wondering if I might stop by and have a few words with you."

"Sure. What about?"

"I'd rather not say until we can discuss it in person. Would tomorrow be convenient for you?"

"I'll be out most of the day. Is four o'clock too late for you?"

"Four o'clock it is. Let me just make sure I have the address right." The lieutenant did, and he hung up as Ashley was opening the door to the lanai.

"Anything wrong?"

"Not a thing." No need drag Ashley into this. At the sight of her, Sandy's bravado began to crumble. What if they had something on him? What would they do to him? How long would it be before he ever saw her again? Did Hawaii have the death penalty?

"Something's wrong," she said gently. "Come on, tell me."

"Nothing. I just got a message from my folks." He hated to lie to her, but technically that was true.

"Oh. Anything I can do."