North Country(123)

“That’s only if they find something in his truck or boat. Something to tie him to Holly. Is there any chance at all of that?” I ask it as gently as I can.

“I know he’s picked up women at the Bale House and they’ve gone out back a few times. But they’re grown-ass women, not fifteen-year-old girls. Fuck no, Em. He has a daughter!”

I wish that stopped some of these creeps, but I’ve seen enough to prove that theory wrong.

The bull snorts and kicks at the ground.

Logan notes the keen animal’s reaction and takes a deep, calming breath. But he’s shaking. “It can’t be him, Em. It just can’t.”

“Okay, if it’s not Jack, then it’s someone else. Someone who drove to Lake Temagami and dumped her.” Whoever this guy was, he moved fast and didn’t want to be caught. “Are you sure you didn’t see anything at all when you were there? Think. Even the smallest detail.” It’s a desperate plea, but seeing Logan so panicked is making my chest ache.

“The detectives already asked me this.” He tosses his hands up in a helpless manner. “I don’t know? We were there to fish! We fished. Didn’t catch anything. Jameson brought a cooler. They fought over Jill’s sandwiches. They were tuna. That’s what I remember. That, and the sun. It was a nice day.”

“And other people?”

He scratches his forehead as he thinks. “There was an old man in a kayak, and a loon that followed us around all morning. There was a shitty old beater sitting in the parking lot, and a couple loading up a pontoon with wood—”

“Wait! Wait …” I cut him off, my mind snagging on something. “Go back. You said a beater.” I’ve heard that word before, and not that long ago.

Logan frowns. “Yeah. It was parked next to Jack’s truck. The thing looked like a road safety hazard.”

“What color was it?”

Logan scowls in thought. “Green? Yeah … it was definitely a weird shade.”

Suspicion slides down my neck like a dribble of cold water. “Did it have duct tape all over its bumper?”

“Yeah,” he nods. “Looked like it was holding the whole thing together.”

“That’s …” My stomach drops with realization. “Oh my God.”

He’s been in front of us this whole time.





Chapter 46





Emery




The Bale House is still quiet as the servers flitter about, ensuring the tables are set for the coming rush while catering to early lunch customers.

“Hey, boss.” Matt pauses what he’s doing at the computer to flash me one of his boyish smiles, his eyes grazing my uniform. “You want a menu?”

“Yeah, I think so.” I settle onto a barstool, scanning the daily specials. “Actually, you know what? I’ll just get a club sandwich. To go.”

“Comin’ right up.” He punches the order in, comping it under his management code like he always does for me and then grabs a glass and fills it with soda. “So? How’s it goin’ these days? You look tired.”

“Didn’t get much sleep.”

“Yeah, I imagine it’s busy around your station.” He hesitates. “Word is they’re eyeing one of the Barrows for Holly?”

I check the bar. “Is Stan Malkovich here?”

“People love to talk to the bartender.” He sets the drink in front of me. “If it’s true, that’s crazy.”

I hum with agreement through a sip, schooling my expression as best I can.

“You think he actually did it?” Matt asks casually, lifting the napkin dispenser to check its fullness .

“We’ll know soon enough. They’re testing the DNA they found on her.”

“Will they find all that much, though? I mean, after being in the water for however long.”

“A frozen lake slows decomposition right down. Like, for example, if her attacker had intercourse with her and didn’t use a condom, we’ll have his DNA profile very soon.” Or soon enough, anyway. I’m doing my best to keep a smooth, friendly expression. Inside, though, I’m seething.

Schmidt and Terry stroll in then.

Matt’s attention homes in on them instantly. “Wherever you two want, fellas.”

“This looks comfy.” Terry takes a stool two over from me, nodding. “Hey, McAllister. What’s good here?”

“Can’t go wrong with the club,” I say as Matt slides two menus over before busying himself with unloading a rack of clean glasses.

“I don’t know. I’m feeling like something I can really sink my teeth into, you know?”

“Burger?” Matt suggests. “Ours are the best around these parts.”

“That sounds good … Matt, right? It’s Matt?” Terry pulls out his notepad.

“That’s right.” He watches Terry flip through his pages.

“While we’re here, we’re trying to nail down the timeline regarding the night Holly Monroe went missing, and I wanted to reconfirm a few things, if you don’t mind. Before it gets too busy here. Do you have a few minutes?”

“Yeah, I guess.” There’s a touch of wariness in Matt’s voice.