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“Yes, but the solarium and indoor pool are excessive. I have no idea what Gavin was thinking.”
“That explains the odor of chlorine.” Cate took a seat at the farmhouse-style table made of solid oak. “I want to see it, but not until after I devour this comfort food you prepared.”
“At least someone appreciates my cooking.”
Gavin sank into the seat beside Cate. “I love your cooking. Just wish you’d leave out the mushrooms. So many mushrooms.”
Sam shrugged. “I like them.”
He always did hate the fungus, but his teasing held no malice.
“Ignore him.”
Malachi stood by the pellet stove and reveled in the warmth as he watched Titan, a one-hundred-pound Bernese Mountain dog, roll around on his back on the snow-covered lawn while Pixie, a five-pound cat, swatted at his face. Pixie jumped and spun in the air catching a snowflake on her nose. The dog gently nudged his snout against his little friend and the two of them ran to the door ready to be let in.
An icy breeze swept through the house as he let his pets in, so he quickly shut the door to keep the heat from escaping. He filled their bowls with kibble then watched as they stuck their noses into their food. Always happy to be fed. Never complaining.
Staring into the refrigerator, he tried to decide what to make for himself. He’d thawed out beef but didn’t feel like making anything with it. Cooking for one felt like a waste of energy tonight. But he should be used to the life of a bachelor by now. There were few women who were able to tolerate a brooding, contemplative man. They wanted fun and games. An image of the ginger-haired girl who’d come into the office earlier flashed in his mind, but he pushed it away. She was a colleague. They would work together on this case. Nothing more.
The offerings found in his freezer didn’t look all that promising, either. There were always Hot Pockets. Easy prep. No dirty dishes. After topping off his water, he shoved the quick meal into the microwave. It would suffice.
As the aroma of pepperoni and melted cheese filled the room, his mouth watered, and his stomach growled, a reminder that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. His laptop made lousy dinner company, but he hoped to find a lead worth following. The bear poacher wouldn’t get away with it. Not too far in the past, a night hunter with a tendency to leave his kills to decay in the field was caught. He got off with a mere fine.
One at a time he checked groups and pages. Facebook. Instagram. TikTok. Twitter. Oh, right, X now. He pushed aside what little remained of his food and focused on his screen. Page after page of blathering posts filled with all the latest fish stories. But none of the usual haunts produced a lead worth following.
Malachi rose and tossed his paper plate in the trash, then carried his laptop into the living room. Once settled in his recliner, he opened the Nextdoor site. Not as popular as other social media. Posts were few and far between, but a number of locals used it and sometimes he’d find a nugget that proved helpful. He scrolled down the page. A post about a missing dog. Not one he’d seen, but he lifted a prayer that the pup would be found safe and sound. Another complaining about trespassers—that had potential. Possibly. Lastly, someone looking for suggestions for a local plumber.
Unfortunately, tonight hadn’t been all that fruitful, but he’d follow up on the trespassers. It was possible that there might be something there. But, then again, it might be nothing. Sighing, he set down the laptop and rubbed his forehead. Tomorrow was another day. He’d take the biologist out to the den site and maybe they’d find some new piece of evidence that would produce a lead. Doubtful, but possible.
He flipped on the television and prepared to binge-watch Person of Interest on Prime. He wouldn’t have any objections to having that kind of surveillance when he was working a case, but he was unwilling to sacrifice his privacy to acquire it. Titan brought him a ball while Pixie stared unblinkingly at them from her perch on the back of the couch. Malachi tossed it for him then laughed as the dog amused himself by bouncing it around and skittering after it.
In the rustic log cabin they’d rented, Reece stood in the doorway of one of the two bedrooms and watched Dorcas sleeping beside the twins, Benjamin and Bethany. The perfect portrait of innocence. If only his hands were as clean as his young wife’s.
She exuded an understated beauty—some might even label her as plain—but she had a rosy way of looking at life that both annoyed him and intrigued him. He couldn’t get her out of his system.
It was past time for him to move on. If he didn’t, the law would catch up with him. Time was not in their favor, and he had doubts about her willingness to join him if he explained the need for a new chapter. Nevertheless, they had this moment. He moved the little ones onto the sleeping bags they’d brought and climbed into bed with his wife. Tonight, he’d lie beside her and watch her sleep. That would be enough.
Hours later he awakened to a scratching noise. At first, he chalked it up to tree branches rubbing against each other and scraping the roof of the cabin, but then he remembered what he’d done. Taking the life of the sow was one thing, but he hadn’t found the strength to end the lives of her youngins. He’d enlist Becky’s help taking care of them until he came up with a long-term solution. Some fish had figuratively nibbled at the hook he’d been floating, but none had taken a bite yet. It probably wouldn’t be long before someone did and he’d have a buyer for the cubs. If not, he’d do what needed to be done and dispose of them, however distasteful.
Chapter Three
Cate tried to keep pace with Malachi as he scurried up the side of the mountain. There was no marked trail to take, but his sense of direction seemed flawless. She stopped to catch her breath, and before long, he turned back to check on her.
“You okay?”
“Fine, but I need a minute.”
“Shouldn’t you be used to hiking?” He made his way back to where she stood, leaning against the trunk of a Quaking Aspen.
She fought for breath to answer him. “I am.”
The corners of his lips turned up a tad. “I promise it’s not too much farther.”
“I need a minute. Asthma.”
“Sorry. Didn’t realize.” His eyes widened. “Do you have your inhaler?”
“It’s in my backpack.” She nodded. “I saw no reason to mention the affliction. Until now.”
