Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Pete 'Monty' Montgomery 1)

With a determined sniff, Meredith brushed away her tears. “Go talk to the sergeant. I’ll wait in the car. Just tell me what you learn the absolute second that you do.”

It was the best he was going to get. Not a whopping show of support, but a tentative one. It would have to suffice.

Shoving his hands in the pockets of his parka, Monty strolled back over to the debris that had been the cabin. Damn, it was cold. Even with gloves and a down jacket, he was freezing. He prayed Sally had been wearing layers—warm ones.

He reached the spot where Jakes and his team were standing. “So, what light did the coroner shed on all this?”

The sergeant’s lips tightened as he turned to Monty. “His preliminary exam revealed no soot particles in the victim’s nostrils.”

“In other words, he was dead before the fire started.”

“We’ll need an autopsy to confirm it, but, yeah, it looks that way. He was also the only body on the scene—or anywhere else in the vicinity. Which means things don’t look too good for your ex-wife.”

“She’s alive. What could look better?”

“We don’t know she’s alive. But even if she is, things look pretty bleak.”

“Why?” Monty’s question was deliberately vague and provoking. He wasn’t getting the full story. And he wanted it.

“You know damned well why,” Jakes shot back. “The pile of ashes we’re standing on is now officially a crime scene.”

“Maybe Pierson was smoking a cigarette, had a massive coronary, and croaked, setting the cabin up in flames while Sally was out.”

“Yeah, and maybe a frog will jump out of my left nostril. Cut the crap, Montgomery.”

“If you tell me what else the coroner said, I will.”

Jakes blinked, clearly surprised that Monty had seen through him. “Fine. The victim had cranial damage. Someone bashed the front of his head in before burning down the cabin. We’re talking about murder and arson. Your ex-wife’s missing. So she’s either a criminal, a kidnapping victim, or dead.”

Monty’s jaw tightened. “Your first idea’s complete bullshit. Sally wouldn’t hurt a fly. Your second’s a reach, since neither Sally nor anyone in her family has anything worth a damn; certainly not enough to cough up ransom money. As for dead—I don’t buy it. If the perp was going to kill her, he’d do it here. He’d already knocked off Pierson. One body, two—what’s the difference? It’s the perfect spot for a murder; virtually deserted. So why would he risk transporting Sally somewhere else, where he might be seen? It’s none of the above. Running away is more like it.”

“Or dropping out of sight.”

“Could be. But not for the reasons you’re insinuating. Look, Jakes, let’s put aside my personal feelings. What possible motive could Sally have for wanting Pierson dead?”

“Jealousy? Greed? I haven’t checked out her history with Pierson. But I will.”

“And if she was jealous or greedy and wanted him dead, she’d drive all the way up to Lake Luzerne just to bash in his head and burn down his cabin, letting everyone know they were alone up here so she’d be the prime suspect? That’s a pretty far-fetched theory. Try this one instead. Frederick Pierson’s a hotshot, the CEO of a major restaurant and food services company. That means he has enemies, lots of them. People he screwed over who want a piece of him. Someone came up here and got it. Sally was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“If that’s the case, where is she? Why hasn’t she contacted her family?”

Monty’s gut twisted. “She’s either hurt or hiding. Maybe the perp’s after her. Maybe she can identify him.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. That’s what investigations are for.”

“No arguments there.” Monty forced himself to back off. He’d gotten as far as he was going to. If he wanted to stay on the inside of this investigation, he’d better keep things between him and the sheriff’s office copacetic. “Do what you have to. But I want to be kept up to date.”

“That goes both ways.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that if Ms. Montgomery happens to call any of her family members, I want to be told.”

“Fair enough.”

Jakes yanked out a pad and pen. “I’ve got your daughter Devon’s contact information. I’ll need the same for your other kids. Also for any other friends and relatives.”

“The kids are no problem.” Monty gave Jakes what he needed. “But for ease of purpose, try Devon or me first. I’m bringing Meredith to her sister’s place. Lane’s flying in tonight, and I’m sure Devon will put him up, too.”