“One more question,” Dross said. “Why did you run?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You were here when we first knocked, then you took off. Why?”
“Didn’t take off, just…” He seemed to cast about for what to say next. “Are we done?”
“For now,” Dross said.
As they left, he shut the door hard behind them, and Cork heard the lock click.
They returned to Dross’s cruiser and sat for a moment.
“You didn’t give the landlady her key,” Cork said.
“If I come back with a warrant, I won’t have to kick the door in. I’m not sure one word of truth came out of his mouth.”
“I can tell you there was one thing he was definitely lying about. In all that clutter on the floor there was a T-shirt with a familiar logo.”
“Yeah? What?”
“A howling wolf.”
CHAPTER 13
Cork rolled up to the house on Gooseberry Lane just as Stephen and Belle arrived in Stephen’s Jeep. Cork hadn’t seen Belle in a while, and he gave her a bear hug.
“How’d it go at Spirit Crossing?” he asked.
Belle looked tired but, as always, determined. “Since the helicopter incident and the negative publicity for the police, they haven’t been so heavy-handed.”
Cork liked Belle Morriseau enormously. He thought his son couldn’t have found a better life partner. Belle was an attorney, working for Justice North, an organization that offered significant legal assistance to the Native people of Minnesota’s Arrowhead region. She was Leech Lake Anishinaabe, twenty-five years old, a great softball player, and whenever Daniel could be persuaded to haul out his accordion, Belle provided accompaniment on her fiddle. She was also responsible in many ways for Stephen’s decision to apply to law school.
“Rainy and Annie were there,” Stephen said. “And Maria. They were a big help. Where have you been, Dad?”
“Come inside and I’ll fill everyone in,” Cork said.
Rainy had reheated a big pot of leftover lentil soup for dinner. She called upstairs, and Jenny and Waaboo came down. They all sat around the big dining room table. Rainy offered a blessing and began ladling soup for everyone.
“Aren’t we going to wait for Dad?” Waaboo asked.
“He might not be home for a while,” Jenny said.
“How’d it go at the blueberry patch?” Cork asked.
“We didn’t stay long. Daniel and Monte Bonhomme were going to continue the search,” Jenny said, explaining about Waaboo’s wish not to be there.
“I didn’t like that place,” Waaboo said. “And I didn’t like that haunted cabin.”
“Haunted cabin?” Cork said.
“Paavola’s old cabin,” Jenny clarified.
“Maji-manidoog,” Waaboo said.
“Devils?” Cork gave his grandson a bewildered look.
“That place is bad.”
“Well then, I’m glad you didn’t stay long,” Cork said and ruffled his grandson’s hair.
“What about you?” Rainy said. “How did you and Marsha do?”
Cork filled them in on his day.
“Do you think this Mathias Paavola has something to do with what happened to Olivia Hamilton?” Jenny asked.
“He certainly acted like someone with a lot to hide.”
“Will you interview him again?” Belle asked.
“I’m sure that’s on Marsha’s agenda.”
They heard the door to the mudroom open, and a minute later, Daniel stepped in from the kitchen. He didn’t look happy.
“Sit down,” Rainy said. “I’ll dish you up some soup.”
“Thanks, Aunt Rainy.”
