“That’s never stopped her before. Margaret is an expert at jumping over obstacles like a lack of ID.”
So Eve had been told. But she had never questioned Margaret about it, and neither had Joe. They had been too grateful for Margaret’s help in finding Eve when she had been kidnapped months ago. Jane, who had brought Margaret into their lives when she had taken her dog, Toby, to Summer Island to be treated for ingesting a rare poison, had told them that Margaret was incredibly gifted with animals. It hadn’t mattered to Jane that Margaret apparently skipped around the world under the radar and no one knew anything about her. All she cared about was that Margaret had saved her dog because she had the ability to bond with animals.
And Margaret might have saved Eve’s life because of that same gift.
“Am I allowed to ask why you want to get in touch with Margaret?” Kendra asked. “And why I can’t help instead?”
She had known this was coming. “You have many talents but not the one I might need. Margaret lived for years in the woods near her home as a child after she ran away from her father. That makes her uniquely qualified since I need someone who is woods savvy.”
“That’s not me. But I’m told I make it up in other ways that are—”
“No,” she said firmly. “This is my problem. I’m grateful, and if I need you, I might call on you. But not unless I run into a blank wall.”
“You just did,” Kendra said.
“Not yet.”
Kendra was silent. “I’ll make a few calls. Margaret made a lot of friends while she was here. She might have mentioned something to someone. How much time do I have?”
“We need her as soon as possible. Joe and I will be arriving in Sonderville tonight.”
“Sonderville. That’s wine country.”
“It’s the woods north of town, not the vineyards that I’m concerned about.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, Kendra.”
“Don’t thank me until I find her. Why do you have to have someone who is woods savvy?”
“I need to find something that was lost or hidden in the woods eight years ago.”
“Eight years.” Kendra gave a low whistle. “Definitely not my area of expertise. I don’t even know if it’s Margaret’s.”
“I’m willing to take a chance.” Eve paused. “It may lead me to a killer, and there’s a child’s life on the line. I don’t know where else to start.”
“Start with me. Okay, okay, I know you’re not going to budge. Let me get off the phone and see if I can find Margaret.” She hung up.
Typical Kendra. Eve found herself smiling as she hung up. Sharp, honest, and beneath that brusqueness was a treasure trove of warmth and loyalty. If Margaret could be found, Kendra would locate her.
“You couldn’t reach her?” Joe asked as he came in from the porch. “Then why are you smiling?”
“Kendra.” She shrugged. “She’s being … Kendra. And I’ll bet she’ll find Margaret for me.”
“No bet,” Joe said grimly. “But whether you manage to get hold of Margaret or not, you’re not going to go into those woods without me. I’m pretty woods savvy myself.”
“Yes, you are. But eight years is a long time and you—” She stopped. How could she tell him that it wasn’t his competence but her own fear that she’d be responsible for something happening to him? Joe was like a force of nature when he was on the hunt. “I know this is a long shot, Joe. But Walsh was keeping an eye on Nalchek while he was searching those woods, a deputy died while Walsh was lurking there like some kind of ghoul. Whatever he’s looking for is making him desperate. I’m just reaching out and trying to find something, anything, that I can grab hold of before Walsh gets his hands on another victim. Those woods where Jenny was buried may be a way to do it.” She shook her head. “Or point me in the right direction.”