around outside.
Marie headed to the table with what looked like
something with lots of calories.
“Here you go. Spicy
hot chocolate with a good dose of whipped cream.”
“Oh boy, if I keep coming back in here I’m going to
have to find a way to burn these extra calories.”
A specific activity did spring to mind.
“You ski?” asked Marie.
“No, never tried it.”
“There are lots of places around here that you can
learn.”
“I guess it’s something to think about.” Lacey took
her first sip, and while it wasn’t quite as wonderful as last night with Shane,
it was pretty damn close.
“So have you found a job or someplace to live?” asked
Marie.
“No, it’s on my to-do list for this afternoon. I
don’t suppose anyone wants a graphic designer or illustrator?”
“I’ll ask around for you honey, but your best bet would
probably be in Missoula.”
“And that’s what, an hour’s drive?”
Marie nodded. “And if you don’t find a place to
live, there’s an apartment above the café. The rent’s affordable and the
landlord is a sweetheart.”
“That’s great. Could you talk to them, and maybe I
can take a look at the place?”
“You just have and as soon as you finish your drink
I’ll take you up there and you can look around all you want.”
****
Shane walked through to the back of the building
that housed the county’s medical examiner’s offices and lab. Ted was halfway
through performing the autopsy on John. He stopped talking into his recorder
and looked up.
“Morning, Shane.”
“Ted,” said Shane nodding. “Found anything of
interest?”
“As a matter of fact I have.”
He beckoned him over to the table where John’s body
lay.
“Take a look here, under the fingernail of his left
index finger.”
He handed Shane a lighted magnifying glass. As Shane
leaned over to view the dead man’s hands he saw a silver of something orange.
“Is that what I think it is?” asked Shane.
“If your hunch tells you it’s from an orange jacket
used for hunting, then yes, I’d say it is.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting. Those guys told me John
hadn’t been wearing his jacket because he’d ripped it yesterday, and hence the
reason he wasn’t seen.”
“Of course, that’s not to say that they’re not
telling you the truth that he wasn’t wearing it. Maybe it was caught under his
nail from the last time that he was.”
“Can you get a photo and bag the evidence just in
case?” asked Shane.
“You have one suspicious mind, Sheriff.”
“It’s what I get paid for.”
Shane walked around to the other side of the table.
Why would two of John’s hunting buddies want to harm him? That was, if they
had. It could have gone down exactly like they’d said, but then again he wasn’t
ready to close the book on this one just yet.
“You hear anything about these three guys? I mean
falling out maybe. Arguments overheard in the bar?” asked Shane.
“Can’t say that I have. Well, besides John’s wife, Maggie walking out on him a couple of weeks ago.
That did seem rather odd.”
Shane pushed back his hat. Odd sometimes went hand
in hand with a crime.
****
Lacey had to admit she found the one bedroom apartment
over the café charming. From the kitchen window, you could see the mountain
range. From the living room, a view of most of Timber Creek. It already had a couch, kitchen table and
chairs so all she’d need was a bed, and it would be close to being move-in
ready.
“So what do you think?”
She jumped. She hadn’t heard Marie walking back into
the room.
“I love it. How much rent are you asking for it?”
“Well, that’s where I think we can make a deal. I’m
looking for someone to work in the café so I can cut back on hours. Maybe even
spend time in the kitchen and not out front serving. I was thinking whoever
took the job could work here and have this place rent free. It might not be
what you had in mind, but it could be a temporary fix until you found
Christine Johnson
Mark Wilson
Andrew Vachss
Cate Troyer
LR Potter
Aden Lowe
Ruth Axtell
Cerys du Lys
Anthony E. Zuiker
Katherine Holubitsky