Outnumbered

Margot leans back in her chair, watching me stoically while I try to collect myself. I grab the half-burned cigarette out of the ashtray and then have to relight it to actually smoke.

“He threw her body into the river,” I say again. “There has to be something about that.”

“I’m sorry, Bishop,” Margot says, “but there isn’t anything about her being found in a river or next to one.”

“Well, you need to look again.” I grit my teeth and close my eyes. As my insides roll around, I try to get my focus back. “Sorry. I know you put some effort into this. I’m just…a little worked up.”

“I know you are,” Margot says quietly. “And just so you know, that guy is still around.”

“I was hoping he’d moved on—maybe gone to look for her in Yellowknife.”

“I think he did, but he’s back now. He has a room at the B&B, and he’s been asking everyone a lot of questions. He’s talked to Kirk out at Broken Toy’s and the guys up at the fishing camp.”

“He thinks she’s here.” I shake my head slowly. “He’s not leaving until he’s found some trace of her.”

“One thing he didn’t do,” Margot says, “is file a report with the Mounties. I would think that would be the first place he would go if his intentions were…honorable.”

“Yeah, I kinda doubt he is going to willingly talk to the police.”

“Bishop, I think this guy is really dangerous.”

“Yeah, so do I.”

“Seriously, Bishop.” Margot leans forward a little more and lowers her voice. “I’m not sure you need to be wrapped up in it all. If he figures out you’re hiding his wife, this guy could come after you.”

“I know how to take care of myself.”

“I know you do, but this is different.”

“No,” I say, “it’s not.”

I stare into her eyes for a long moment. Eventually, she can’t hold my gaze and looks away.

“Thanks for the info.” I push my chair b

ack and stand up.

“I’m not done yet,” Margot says. She pats the stack of papers on the table.

“What else do you have?” I ask as I sit back down.

“The Haugens had one other child—Serenity. You asked me to look her up, too.”

“Go on,” I say when Margot pauses. I sit up a little straighter and drag another cigarette from the pack. I tap it against the table impatiently.

“There isn’t a lot on her,” Margot says quietly. “A couple of articles from a school paper about honor roll students and a picture from a school play where she played a singing vegetable. I honestly don’t understand such things, but there it is.”

I close my eyes and tighten my hand into a fist. She’s wasting my time, and it’s pissing me off.

“There’s only one other piece I found about Serenity Haugen,” Margot says quietly.

“Well?” I ask. “What is it?”

“An obituary.”

Chapter 24

My hands start to shake as I use my finger to trace the words on the article Margot hands me.