“A girl who disappeared.”

“Hell, there’s lots of those.”

He thought about what Margot had told them, that she and the other girls stayed with their tormentors because they had no other option. And he thought about Crystal Two Knives, who’d seemed to have found a way to avoid falling into the hands of someone like Boyle and Toad and Paavola. He thought he’d helped her in this. But maybe he was wrong. What did he really know about desperation? In the rearview mirror, Margot Lachance looked so small. She’d crossed her arms over her chest and was staring out her window. What was she looking for, he wondered. Here he was, speeding east because of his concern for those he loved. As nearly as he could tell, Margot had no one concerned for her safety.

“You said you’re White Earth.”

“Yeah.”

“Have you done ceremonies?” he asked.

“Did some powwows when I was a little kid. Long time ago. Before my mom died. Then I lived with my uncle in Fargo. Was that ever fucked up.”

“Ceremonies are different. They can help,” he said.

“Help what?”

“Feeling connected.”

“To what?”

“Your people. I’m talking about healing ceremonies.”

“I never even been to a doctor.”

“I know someone I believe could help you.”

“Not unless they got a million bucks to give me.”

Dross glanced at Cork. “Henry?”

Cork nodded. “Would you let her spend time on Crow Point?”

“Let’s see how things play out first.”

“Mathias, my name is Monte Bonhomme. I’m a police officer.”

Monte and Daniel flanked the bottom of the stairs, their weapons drawn. Agent Shirley had moved Irene Paavola away from any line of fire.

“I’m advising you to surrender your gun and come down so that we can talk,” Monte said.

“I didn’t do anything,” Paavola yelled from upstairs.

“Then there’s no reason not to come down.”

Irene Boyle called out, “Just come down and talk, Matt. It’s not them you’re afraid of.”

Agent Shirley said quietly, “Liam?”

Irene nodded.

“We can protect you from Liam Boyle,” Monte called up the stairs.

“The same way you protected Adrian?” Paavola replied.

“We didn’t know about Boyle then,” Monte said. “You’ll be safer in our custody than on your own, I guarantee it. And if you don’t come down now, I’ll make a call and this place will be surrounded by a sea of cops. There’s no way out of this.”

“Matt, please,” Irene said. “It’s over.”

The house lapsed into a few long moments of silence, then Paavola said, “I’m coming down.”

CHAPTER 42

They walked the path that Annie had walked so often in her life, through the woods heading toward Crow Point. The grass of the trail was strewn with sunlight broken into shards by overhanging tree branches. She could hear the song of birds, the buzz of insects. With each breath, she took in the scent of evergreen and wildflowers. With each step she felt the kiss of the summer air against her cheeks.

It was odd that she was so present in this moment with a man who held a rifle at her back.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Why the gun?”

“What do you think?”

She stopped then and turned to face him. “I’ve been threatened with guns before.”

“Is that so?”

“Rifles to be exact. Soldiers.”

“I don’t care. Get moving.”

“Or you’ll shoot me?”

“I wouldn’t hesitate, believe me, bitch.”

“Bitch?” She cocked her head and studied him. “Do you hate women?”

“Just shut up and keep moving.”

“Is this about the dead girls?”

“This is about a kid who ruined everything.”

“Did you kill those girls?”

“No. But I could have.”