Prime Catch by Ilona Fridl

to a pounding on the door. At first, she didn’t know where she was, until she heard Sheriff Tunny’s voice ring out, “Breakfast!” She swung her feet to the floor as Amos opened the door. Tunny balanced two trays in his hands and set them on the desk. “There you are. You have an hour before we leave for the airfield.”
    She went into the station’s lavatory to freshen up a bit. When she returned, Amos already was digging into his ham and eggs. She picked up her knife and fork and cut some of the fragrant smoked ham, savoring it.
    When they’d finished eating, Amos took his turn in the lav and came out a little less disheveled than when he went in. “Ready to go home?”
    “More than. This has been quite a trip. I trust you slept better on the cot?”
    Amos’ face had a strange, amused glint to it. “As well as could be expected.”
    Sarah cocked an eyebrow at him but didn’t offer anything, as Tunny came in and hustled them out of the office. She slid into the back seat of the patrol car while Tunny and Amos stored the bags in the trunk.
    The sea air had cleared the night fog away and the sky was a deep Alaskan blue as they turned into the airfield and bounced along the gravel path to the waiting plane, where Bill Wright waved to them as they stepped out.
    Amos went over and shook his hand. “Mr. Wright, I’m glad you could make it here so early.”
    Bill nodded. “With the daylight getting longer, I can get an earlier start.” He juggled their bags and started up the steps. “Come on in when you’re ready.”
    Tunny gave Amos’ shoulder a clap. “Thanks for your help. If you need anything in Juneau, let me know.”
    “What we need is to get the word out and catch whoever is doing this. Keep in touch, Tunny.”
    Tunny tipped his hat to Sarah. “Thank you, as well, Miss Lakat.”
    Sarah expressed her goodbye and joined Amos on the airplane. They strapped themselves into their seats, and Amos called to Bill that they were ready. Sarah was a little more comfortable this time, knowing what was going to happen. She broke out of her reverie and found Amos watching her with a small smile as they started moving.
    She chuckled. “Before you say anything, yes, I’m better about this now.”
    “I know. You seem to overcome things that bother you. I think I understand you more than I did before.” He grinned.
    Amos was an attractive man, hidden under all that scruffiness. She’d seen him one time shaved and polished and had been astonished. I can’t let myself fall for him. She admonished herself for such foolishness.
    The small plane bounced along the airfield until it was airborne. Bill Wright had to be an A-one pilot, because he took pains to keep the plane steady on their way to Juneau. They arrived in time to have lunch at Millie’s.
    As Millie served their soup and sandwiches, Amos glanced up. “Anything happening here the last two days?”
    She shook her head. “No, it’s been quiet.” She glanced at Sarah. “I almost forgot. There was a man asking about you yesterday.”
    Surprised, Sarah asked, “Did he say what he wanted?”
    “No. I never saw him before.”
    “Thank you, Millie. I’ll keep an eye out.” When Millie left, she found Amos staring at her. “What do you think?”
    His jaw twitched. “That doesn’t seem to be any of my business.”
    Sarah swallowed a bite of sandwich. “As far as I know, I wasn’t expecting a man to be looking for me. Especially a stranger.”
    Amos cocked an eyebrow at her. “Wonder if it had anything to do with that incident at the ANB?”
    A bolt of concern burned through her mind. “I hope I didn’t stir up the wasps’ nest too much.”
    “Be careful. Whoever it is may not like you continuing to work on the case. No telling what he’ll do.”
    After lunch, Amos gave Sarah the afternoon off, so she headed the three blocks to her small house. Everything looked the same as when she’d left, but she hesitated when she put the key in the lock. She