They landed in Kulukak and taxied the float plane to the dock. The place was still shrouded in what seemed to be its perpetual cloak of mist. No one was there to greet them, but then Liam hadn’t called to say they were coming. He had confirmed with Charlene that there was no fishing period…
There wasn’t enough room for both sets of long legs beneath the tiny galley table, so he sat on the bunk and sipped his coffee. She shifted her feet out of his way, looking at the imprints her shoes left behind in the carpet. “Uh, sir–you do know that the floor is wet in here?”…
Read more “Yes, I do know the floor is wet in here. This boat is sinking.”
Joan Dunaway was a reporter for the News, and had been one since she and Wy had returned from Europe the year they graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Wy with a degree in education and Jo with a degree in journalism. She’d built up a reputation over the years for ferreting out bad…
“Dad,” Liam said. “Son,” Charles said. He held out a hand. Liam took it. His father’s grip was warm and strong and didn’t linger. “How have you been?” “Swell,” Liam said. One dark eyebrow went up, but all his father said was, “I was sorry I couldn’t make it back in time for the funeral.”…
Read more “I was sorry I couldn’t make it back in time for the funeral.”
“You suicidal son of a bitch!” Wy said, eyes blazing. “That is the last time you go up in a plane with me, I don’t care how much the frigging state is paying! You could have been hurt! You could have been killed!” She wound up and hit him again, this time her clenched fist…
“Liam!” Wy said involuntarily, and started forward. “Sir?” Trooper Prince said. “How did you get here?” The man turned his head toward them, bringing it full into the light from one of the windows. Wy halted. So did Prince. He was tall, broad-shouldered and long-legged, with thick dark hair going a distinguished gray at the…
“Why are you telling me all this, Ms. Choknok? I had heard–“ He hesitated. She stood up and brushed off the seat of her pants. “You had heard that Kelly McCormick was my blue ticket out of Newenham.” “Well, yes.” She offered him a chilly smile. “He was. My parents are so scared I’m going…
Read more Not just intelligent, Liam thought, positively Machiavellian.
“Where was the trial?” Her smile was approving. “Right here in Newenham.” “Acquittal,” he said. “You got it. Just like last six cases where anyone could be bothered to bring charges. Probably one out of every two jurors from a panel generated from this judicial district is thinking to himself, There but for the grace…
Liam went back to watching the sky. Either everyone had slowed down or in the short space granted to him he had adjusted to the pace of the job. He felt like someone had switched him from 45 to 33 1/3. Everything took on a dreamy, slow motion quality. There was plenty of time to…
Read more He felt like someone had switched him from 45 to 33 1/3.
“They busted me down to trooper,” he said. “Just before they transferred me here.” She said slowly, “That’s what you meant yesterday, when Corcoran called you sergeant, and you said no, just trooper.” “Yes.” “What happened, Liam?” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Buck stopped on my desk. Barton was right to do it.” He…
Read more “Just when you thought it was safe to come back to life.”