She glanced at the time on her phone. “I might go down to the kitchen and help Cecily and Amos clean up from lunch after I take a quick shower. I feel bad that I left yesterday without telling either of them I wouldn’t be there this morning.”
I didn’t like the idea of her leaving the apartmentwithout me, but the kitchen was still in the lodge, and Amos and Cecily would be with her. “You’ll keep your location on and text me if anything feels weird. No matter how silly. Got it?”
“Got it.” She rolled up on her toes and kissed me. “And the same goes for you, so don’t you forget it. Don’t go anywhere by yourself.”
“Understood.” I dropped another kiss on her upturned face. “I love you, Lennon.”
Mateo and Hollywere already talking to Ciaran on Holly’s laptop when I pushed into the office. It looked like he was calling from his house in Seattle. I could see the Puget Sound shimmering out the window.
I scooted a chair between Holly and Mateo so I could see the screen. “Ciaran. Thanks for helping us. I know this isn’t the kind of case that usually interests you.” Ciaran was highly educated, extremely intelligent, and easily bored.
He pushed his shaggy gray hair off his forehead and smiled. “Anything for Holly, of course. I must say, I’m surprised you haven’t had much luck. Given Ms. Graves’s choice of profession, and her particular style in that profession, I’d say you’re looking for a white male,aged thirty-five to fifty, unmarried.” He arched an eyebrow. “I hate to state the obvious, but have you looked into her subscribers? I’m sure a man of Mateo’s talents should have no trouble with that.”
I glanced at Mateo. He shook his head. “We’re looking for someone with ties to the ranch, or at least fifty miles of here. All her male subs check out.”
“The postcards don’t give us much to go on, either. It’s a shame she didn’t keep the others.” Ciaran adjusted his glasses. “What can Ms. Graves tell us? Does she remember anything unique about them?”
“Nothing unique,” I said. “Lennon said the postcards seemed friendly at first. She didn’t consider it stalking until they took a turn in tone and kept showing up even when she moved.”
“When did the tone shift occur?”
“Anytime she was dating someone. He’d tell her she made bad choices when it came to men.”
That got Ciaran’s attention. He leaned forward, tilting his head. “Bad choices? That was the phrase he used?”
“According to Lennon.”
“He didn’t call her a slut? Anything like that?”
“Lennon didn’t mention it.”
“Then he didn’t.” Ciaran steepled his fingers. “Interesting.”
“How so?” Holly asked.
“Well, it changes everything, doesn’t it? You’re notlooking for a lonely middle-aged white man. You’re looking for someone lonely, yes. Unmarried, I stand by that. Likely doesn’t have children or other family, either. But you’re not looking for a man.”
My eyes narrowed.
“You’re looking for a woman.”
37
LENNON
The kitchen was quieterthan usual when I pushed through the swinging door. For a moment I had a horrible thought. What if the stalker was taking out the kitchen staff one by one? First Miguel, then Cecily or Amos, then?—
The freezer door opened and Cecily stepped out.
“Lennon. You’re back.” Cecily kicked the freezer shut behind her. “Nice of you to tell us you wouldn’t be here this morning.”
I winced at her flat tone. It was so unlike the bubbly Cecily who usually greeted me. “I’m sorry. I should have.” Any excuse I offered would be a lie, so I didn’t give one.
She studied me for a moment, herlips pursed. Then she let out a sigh. “I mean, youarestill a guest. But I thought we were friends, too.”
“We are friends.” I reached impulsively for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I love working in the kitchen with you.”
That brought her familiar smile back. “You’re not really going horse packing for three weeks, are you? Because Liam said you were, but that doesn’t make any sense. You know it’s exactly like camping, right? There are no showers out there, Lennon. And you have to pack out your toilet paper. That’s three weeks of used toilet paper you’re carrying around with you.”
