Read Online Better to rest by Dana Stabenow - Free Book Online

repeated, “Did you call your brother as soon as you found your mother?
    “Yes. No. Wait. I No, I called the ambulance first. Her eyes filled again. “Even though I knew it was no use. She was cold when I touched her.
    Rigor had begun to set in. The house was cool. A murder before breakfast, then, most likely. “Did you touch anything else?
    “What? I... no. No, I dont think so.
    “The stove wasnt on?
    “No.
    “Did you see anyone leaving the house as you arrived?
    “No.
    To Stan, Liam said, “And you came as soon as Betsy called?
    “Yes. Well, my wife had to come down to the boat to tell me Betsy had called and wanted me up to Moms.
    To Betsy, Liam said, “So actually you called Stans wife.
    “No. Well, yes, she answered the phone at their house.
    “You might want to ease up a little here, sir, Prince murmured from the background.
    Liam, who knew he was being a jerk, didnt seem to be able to turn it off. “Why, he said to Betsy, “did you come to the house today?
    A spark of anger glowed briefly in her eyes but she kept her voice level. “I come by every afternoon for coffee.
    Liam thought of the two mugs on the counter, the box of tea bags, the full kettle, the empty percolator. “Your mother lived here alone?
    “Yes. After Dad died, I wanted her to move in with us but she wouldnt. Said shed lived here for fifty-eight years and if she had another fifty-eight in her she wanted to live them in the same place.
    All four siblings gave the same involuntary smile as Betsy called up the memory.
    “Now let me ask you something, Mr. Campbell, Betsy said, drawing herself up to a height that allowed her to meet Liams eyes straight-on. “Who did this to my mother?
    “I dont know.
    “But youll find out. It was a statement, not a question.
    “Ill need to ask you all a lot more questions. I need to know what she did with her days, who her friends were
    “A friend wouldnt do this!
    Liam looked at Jerry, red-faced and teary-eyed. “Can you all come down to the post this afternoon? The sooner we interview you, the sooner we can move the investigation forward.
    He waited for their nods. “Who were your mothers neighbors?
    “There werent any close by, Stan said. “One of the reasons we wanted her to move in with Becky. Jim Earl bought out old Eric the Red six years ago when Eric had to put his wife in the Pioneer Home. Thats the place north of here. The next house down belongs to the Isaacsons. He gave a dismissive wave. “Outsiders, havent been in the country long. Mom barely knew them.
    “Well talk to them all, Liam said. “In the meantime, please leave the house as it is so we can have a chance to go through it.
    “Why? Betsy said.
    Liam, suddenly very tired, pulled off his cap and ran his hand through his hair. His scalp felt tight. “We might find something that will lead us to who did this thing.
    “Like what?
    “I dont know, Ms. Amakuk.
    “Youll leave everything as you found it?
    Liams lips tightened. “Alaska state troopers are not thieves, Ms. Amakuk.
    She had the grace to look uncomfortable. “No, she said quickly. “Of course not.
    “If you have a key, Ill make sure we lock up behind ourselves.
    “Of course. She went into the kitchen and they heard drawers and cupboards opening and closing. In Newenham, house keys were not normally ready to hand. Eventually Becky returned with a brass house key on a ring bearing a Last Frontier Bank fob and handed it over. She gathered what remained of her family together with a glance and they followed her out, Karen hanging behind to cast a languishing glance Liams way.
    “You sure are tall, she said. “I like tall men a lot. She stepped in close to him and her voice dropped to a purr. “They make me feel all little and feminine.
    Liam slapped his cap back on and said to Prince, “Lets start in the kitchen.
    “Yes, sir, Prince said woodenly, and followed him from the room.
    December 6, 1941
    We lost one the other side of the Canadian border. The weather