Read Online The Longest Winter by Harrison Drake - Free Book Online

assistance and left the house. The snow had started to fall again, although it was lighter this time around – the weather reports had been right. If they continued to be right, then there was a lot more snow still on its way.
    “Ahem.”
    Kara looked back to see Yuri holding out a twenty euro note. “You were right.”
    “Always am,” she said. She snatched the money out of Yuri’s hand and stuffed into a wet pocket.
    “Where to?” Yuri looked at Kara.
    “Why am I in charge?”
    “No idea. I just figured I would leave it to you, seeing as you are apparently always right.”
    Kara scowled at Yuri, but the scowl soon turned to a smile. “We still need to talk to Claude, but I want to head back to the scene first. I’m hoping forensics has arrived.”
    Yuri nodded and the two began walking through the snow, their feet sinking in with every step. “Wish I’d brought my snowshoes.”
    “You have snowshoes?”
    “You don’t? I thought you were Canadian.”
    “I am. But we don’t all live in igloos or have polar bears for pets.”
    Yuri smiled. Kara enjoyed his smiles. They didn’t happen frequently - not like that anyway - but when they did she could see past the pain in his eyes and see something else shining through.
    “I know that. I am not that dumb.”
    “Lincoln has snowshoes. You can make fun of him when you meet him.”
    “He’s American though, right?”
    Kara shook her head and looked confused. “No, he’s Canadian.”
    “I knew he worked in Canada, but I thought you said he was American.”
    “Nope, where’d you get that idea?”
    “You said he was African-American once.”
    Kara thought for a moment. “Yeah, I guess that is confusing. His ancestors were American slaves that escaped to Canada. I’m guessing it’s more of a heritage thing than anything to him. That’s just how he’s always described himself. Sort of like me saying I’m Irish even though I’ve never set foot in the mother country.”
    Yuri nodded. “Makes sense, I guess.”
    “Although come to think of it, I know of a few Canadians who say African-American. Probably just influence from American media and that.” She paused, unsure if she should bring it up or not. “While we’re on the topic of nationality, what was with the old man and the Russian comment?”
    Yuri shook his head. “It’s just some bad blood between Russians and Germans. And with him having been in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, well, they weren’t allied with the Russians like the East was. It is probably just something to do with that. I spent some time working in Germany and experienced some of it. His comment was a not-so-friendly reminder of that.”
    “So you think he did mean something by it?”
    “Probably. But old habits die hard. I try not to let it get to me. I’m sure your friend Lincoln has worse stories to tell.”
    “He has a few. There’s so much intolerance in this world. It’s ridiculous.”
    Yuri just nodded and kept walking toward the trees that separated the farmhouse from the fields. When they arrived back at the building the forensics team was on site, speaking French at a volume loud enough for everyone to hear. Kara couldn’t understand much, but the few words she heard and the tone of their voices made it clear they were complaining. There was too much snow, it was too cold, and, gasp , something about not getting a coffee.
    “Sorry to call you out here in all this snow. We probably should’ve had a snowmobile waiting to chauffeur your asses. Wouldn’t want to trouble you. I mean, a little bit of snow when you’re investigating a missing boy and the deaths of two others. How inconsiderate we must all be to put you through that. Whiny little fucks, aren’t you? We haven’t slept in over a day and have spent the last several hours soaked and freezing. Should make you two sit out in the snow for a few hours.”
    Kara was still muttering as she walked into the next room. There were benefits