North Country(115)

The long-haul driver is out of the truck now and around back, assessing the setup as Jon adjusts the angle of the camera he mounted to record the entire event for North Country’s social media.

The bull kicks at the walls of the trailer, testing it.

“Can’t decide who’s more stressed right now, him or me.” But despite my father’s bitching, anticipation radiates from him as we watch the driver and Jon carefully navigate the system of doors and gates required to release an animal that size while minimizing its stress.

Jon looks at us, tugging on his hat’s brim like some sort of salute.

“That thing’s not gonna save him if this animal decides it doesn’t like it here. You sure we shouldn’t be in there, helping?”

Dad shakes his head. “Only one in the alley.”

“Ready,” I hear Jon say.

The next few minutes are tense as they manage to coax the bull out, his split hooves thundering down the ramp. The driver closes the trailer’s gate while Jon gently guides the bison forward with a wooden paddle toward the squeeze chute, keeping to its side and ready to clamber over the wall or dart out the panic gate as needed.

My dad breathes a sigh of relief as soon as it’s secure. “At least he didn’t video himself getting gored today.”

“I’ll bet that’d get views, though.”

My father guffaws. “Right? The idiot would probably post it just for that reason.”

“What’s this one’s name?” I ask, as the animal’s wise eyes assess the new environment.

“As of now?” Dad’s flat look prepares me. “Snorty, because they let their grandchildren name them.”

I laugh and after fighting it for a few moments, my father can’t help himself anymore, chuckling alongside me.

Mak trots up on Flapjack then. “We’ve got two new red dogs!” he announces. “They’re up and moving around good. Start the count.”

“Well, now, here we go.” Dad’s eyes light up with excitement as he thumps my back. “It’s a brand-new year.”





Chapter 41





Emery




I chuckle at the montage of stills Sarah posted on the North Country Bison page, taken from the video Jon recorded of the new bull’s arrival. From what Logan told me, the transfer went smoothly, but you wouldn’t know it by the expressions on Jon’s face, showing varying degrees of panic, terror, and resignation. How he willingly gets into that alley with a beast that size is beyond me. Then again, some people would say the same thing about facing off against Benny the Hulk.

My phone rings. Mike’s name appears and my stomach recoils instinctively. He hasn’t mentioned the Landrys or Logan, but I sense him keeping his distance, as if a friendship might impede his career. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be angling for my job when Freeman finally succeeds at getting rid of me.

I went to Breanne’s to have my hair done again. I couldn’t avoid it. She was relentless with her questions about Logan, even though I gave her nothing.

“Staff?” Mike’s deep voice fills my ear.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Dispatch got a call to Lake Temagami about a body that surfaced with the thaw.”

“Really?” I missed hearing that call come through, stuck in a regional update meeting .

“I’m here now, and they just pulled her out.”

Her. My heart starts pounding. “And?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s Holly Monroe.”





Chapter 42





Logan





Logan:





I saw the news.





Logan:





Are you okay?





From my window, I watch the headlights move up Emery’s driveway after midnight, the two texts I sent her unanswered. The car darkens and about twenty seconds later, the house’s porch lights flash on.

I wait with grim anticipation for the flashlight to cut through the field between us, signaling her trek here.

But there’s no sign of it and when her outdoor lights turn off, I know there won’t be.

Fuck this.

I dial her number.

“Hey,” she answers, exhaustion heavy in her voice.

“Hey.” I let the greeting hang.

“It’s definitely Holly. We found her.”

My stomach sinks. “I figured as much.” They didn’t confirm it on the news. “Is Isla at Dillon’s?”

“Yeah. He picked her up from school before the news broke, so she wouldn’t have to hear it with everyone else.”

That poor kid. “Come over,” I demand.

“I … I can’t right now. I just … Tomorrow’s going to be another long day. Good night, Logan.” She ends the call before I can respond, leaving me unsettled.

I’ve known Emery all my life, and both the little girl and this grown-up version are like a wounded animal in search of a corner to hide in so they can suffer alone. Grabbing my jacket and flashlight, I leave my place and cut across the field, racing up the steps. Duke barks at my knock on the front door.