and
stalked out of the apartment.
“What is his problem?” Liss asked Pete.
Pete checked to make sure the detective was really
gone, then shrugged. “Sheriff says he’s well trained. He
just hasn’t had much experience dealing with people.”
“He has the sensitivity of an iguana. Is he always like
that?”
“Abrupt?”
“Offensive”
“What can I say? He’s an asshole, but we’re stuck with
him. You sure you don’t want me to call Sherri?”
“Thanks, but no. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
He started to go but she called him back. “Was
Mrs. Norris really murdered?” In spite of what Jeff had
said, in spite of LaVerdiere’s certainty, it just didn’t seem
possible.
“Looks that way. Someone from the A.G.’s office is
here”
“And that means?”
“The district attorney’s office handles most manslaughter cases. The attorney general is in charge of some manslaughters and all homicides. They must think murder’s
likely. Probably figure Mrs. Norris interrupted a robbery.”
LaVerdiere had asked if anything was missing from
the shop, but Liss hadn’t been able to tell him for certain.
She hadn’t noticed anything. The cash register had already
been empty because she’d had all the cash with her at the
Highland Games. The cash box, she realized, was still
downstairs on the counter.
“If he thinks a thief killed her, why is he picking on
Liss?” Dan asked.
“She’s handy.” Pete grinned suddenly and seconded
what Dan had already told her. “Good you stood up for
yourself, Liss. Rule of thumb if you’re being questioned
police can only talk to you as long as you re willing.”
“Wish I’d known that an hour ago, but thanks.”
“Try to get some rest,” Pete advised, and let himself
out.
“Do you want me to go, too?” Dan asked.
He was still settled in on the other end of the sofa, angled so that he was facing her. She mirrored his position
and studied him. He wasn’t remarkable looking-sandy
brown hair in need of a trim, an ordinary nose and chin
but there was something solid about Dan Ruskin, something comforting. And it was oh-so-easy to get lost in
those sympathetic molasses-brown eyes. She had to look
away and clear her throat before she could answer him.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stay a bit longer.”
“No problem.”
She felt herself relax against the sofa cushions in what
seemed like the first tranquil moment she’d had all day.
The peace abruptly shattered when Detective LaVerdiere
reentered the room. “One more thing, Ms. MacCrimmon.
You’ll have to be out of here within the next half hour.
You need to vacate the premises for a couple of days.”
Liss came to her feet in an indignant rush. “You can’t
kick me out. I live here”
“Not for the present you don’t. Not until after we sweep
the entire building for evidence. You can collect a few
personal items to take with you, but leave everything else.
What you do take will be inspected and inventoried before you go”
“And just where am I supposed to stay, detective? It’s
July during the Highland Games. There are no rooms available at any of the local hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts”
“Not my problem,” LaVerdiere said, and made another
abrupt exit.
“Oh, well, thanks a lot. Maybe I’ll just sleep in my
car!”
“You could reconsider calling Sherri,” Dan suggested.
“Sherri has enough on her plate without me adding to
it.” Not to mention a mother and a son already living with
her. Liss wished Gina Snowe still lived in Moosetookalook.
Gina had been her best friend, but she’d moved away years
ago. “I guess I could bunk at Ned’s.”
“Liss, you
“No, probably not a good idea. If I stay with Ned we’re
likely to end up killing each other. We never did get
along.” She winced. “I don’t believe I just said that. How
can I talk so casually about killing? Joke about murder?”
“Cops do it all the time,” Dan
stalked out of the apartment.
“What is his problem?” Liss asked Pete.
Pete checked to make sure the detective was really
gone, then shrugged. “Sheriff says he’s well trained. He
just hasn’t had much experience dealing with people.”
“He has the sensitivity of an iguana. Is he always like
that?”
“Abrupt?”
“Offensive”
“What can I say? He’s an asshole, but we’re stuck with
him. You sure you don’t want me to call Sherri?”
“Thanks, but no. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
He started to go but she called him back. “Was
Mrs. Norris really murdered?” In spite of what Jeff had
said, in spite of LaVerdiere’s certainty, it just didn’t seem
possible.
“Looks that way. Someone from the A.G.’s office is
here”
“And that means?”
“The district attorney’s office handles most manslaughter cases. The attorney general is in charge of some manslaughters and all homicides. They must think murder’s
likely. Probably figure Mrs. Norris interrupted a robbery.”
LaVerdiere had asked if anything was missing from
the shop, but Liss hadn’t been able to tell him for certain.
She hadn’t noticed anything. The cash register had already
been empty because she’d had all the cash with her at the
Highland Games. The cash box, she realized, was still
downstairs on the counter.
“If he thinks a thief killed her, why is he picking on
Liss?” Dan asked.
“She’s handy.” Pete grinned suddenly and seconded
what Dan had already told her. “Good you stood up for
yourself, Liss. Rule of thumb if you’re being questioned
police can only talk to you as long as you re willing.”
“Wish I’d known that an hour ago, but thanks.”
“Try to get some rest,” Pete advised, and let himself
out.
“Do you want me to go, too?” Dan asked.
He was still settled in on the other end of the sofa, angled so that he was facing her. She mirrored his position
and studied him. He wasn’t remarkable looking-sandy
brown hair in need of a trim, an ordinary nose and chin
but there was something solid about Dan Ruskin, something comforting. And it was oh-so-easy to get lost in
those sympathetic molasses-brown eyes. She had to look
away and clear her throat before she could answer him.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stay a bit longer.”
“No problem.”
She felt herself relax against the sofa cushions in what
seemed like the first tranquil moment she’d had all day.
The peace abruptly shattered when Detective LaVerdiere
reentered the room. “One more thing, Ms. MacCrimmon.
You’ll have to be out of here within the next half hour.
You need to vacate the premises for a couple of days.”
Liss came to her feet in an indignant rush. “You can’t
kick me out. I live here”
“Not for the present you don’t. Not until after we sweep
the entire building for evidence. You can collect a few
personal items to take with you, but leave everything else.
What you do take will be inspected and inventoried before you go”
“And just where am I supposed to stay, detective? It’s
July during the Highland Games. There are no rooms available at any of the local hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts”
“Not my problem,” LaVerdiere said, and made another
abrupt exit.
“Oh, well, thanks a lot. Maybe I’ll just sleep in my
car!”
“You could reconsider calling Sherri,” Dan suggested.
“Sherri has enough on her plate without me adding to
it.” Not to mention a mother and a son already living with
her. Liss wished Gina Snowe still lived in Moosetookalook.
Gina had been her best friend, but she’d moved away years
ago. “I guess I could bunk at Ned’s.”
“Liss, you
“No, probably not a good idea. If I stay with Ned we’re
likely to end up killing each other. We never did get
along.” She winced. “I don’t believe I just said that. How
can I talk so casually about killing? Joke about murder?”
“Cops do it all the time,” Dan
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