“Really?” I said. “So he’s a suspect?”
“Well, not exactly. We don’t know yet whether Tiff’s wife actually had, or has, a boyfriend, but once we find that out, and if she did, then of course, he’d be of interest to our investigation.”
“Especially if this boyfriend, if there is one,” I said, “ever said to Tiff, ‘I’m going to stab you one day,’ and if he doesn’t have an alibi for the time in question, and if you go to his house and find him holding a bloody knife that matches Tiff’s DNA,” I said. “Sounds like you’ve practically got the whole thing wrapped up.”
“I don’t owe you any explanation of how I conduct my job,” Chief Thorne said.
“I think those threats the mayor’s getting might be more than just crank calls,” I said. “Some people are getting pretty agitated about this parade on Saturday. This Charles Henry, who owns the grocery? He’s been stirring up a lot of shit with his petition.”
“And so’s that guy who wants to be in the parade. Maybe he should do everyone a favor and take a hike.”
“Maybe so,” I said. “You want to know what I think?”
Orville said nothing, breathed through his nostrils.
“I think you’re a good guy, but I think you’d rather chase a bear, a real one or an imaginary one, than confront some of the people in this town. You’re running off into the woods to avoid problems, not deal with them.”
Orville shook his head. “Gee, thanks, Dr. Phil.”
The two hunting buddies snickered. “Let’s go, guys,” he said to them, and they marched off together into the forest.
Dad opened the cabin door halfway and asked me, “Do they want some coffee first?”
After breakfast I went about my camp chores, collecting garbage, burying fish guts, cutting some grass. Around eleven I went inside to check Dad’s computer, see whether Sarah had gotten back to me after I’d e-mailed her the picture of Orville Thorne. She hadn’t. I surfed a bit, read The Metropolitan’s website to see what was happening back in the city, then checked some of my favorite sci-fi sites, learned that some new kits from the old Lost in Space TV show were being issued. I still hadn’t gotten around to replacing my model of the Jupiter II, the saucerlike ship the Robinson family used to travel around the galaxy, that had been smashed to pieces a couple of years ago.
Outside, I heard voices.
I looked out the window and saw Thorne and his two helpers emerging from the woods, looking discouraged and bedraggled. I didn’t have the energy to go outside and rub it in, so I stayed in front of the computer while Dad, crutches tucked under his arm, went to meet them. The conversation was subdued, but I could make out enough to know that they hadn’t spotted a bear, but were prepared to come back the next morning.
“Just because we didn’t see him doesn’t mean he’s not out there,” I heard Orville say, loud enough, I figured, so that I would hear him through the wall.
I heard a car coming down the hill and moved my head closer to the window so I could get a better look. A shiny blue Jaguar sedan.
Lawrence Jones had arrived.
I went out to greet him. He got out of his car slowly, taking in the scene from behind his shades. He had on a black leather bomber jacket and jeans that looked like they cost a lot more than the Gap variety I was wearing. He nodded when he saw me, then cast his eye over the three men with rifles.
I shook Lawrence’s hand. “Hey,” I said.
I nodded my head in the direction of the others and Lawrence closed the door of the Jaguar and walked along with me to where Dad was talking to Orville and his two hunting assistants.
“Dad, Orville, fellas,” I said, “I’d like you to meet my friend Lawrence. Lawrence Jones.”
Orville glared. “Hey there, Larry.”
“It’s Lawrence,” he said, extending a hand. Orville took it reluctantly, probably figuring that refusing it would cause a greater scene. Everyone shook hands.
“This the guy going to solve all our problems?” Orville asked.
Lawrence said nothing. I said, “Lawrence has some experience that might be helpful.”
Orville grinned. “Well, I think we’ve all been waiting for someone with an expensive car and pretty clothes. I know I feel safer already.” The hunters chuckled.
“Orville,” Dad said reproachfully.
“I take it you’re coming back tomorrow,” I said to Orville.
“We did what we could today,” he said. “We’re not going to give up.”
“Of course not,” I said. “Come back as often as—”