Page 127 of A River of Crows

“No,” Sloan shook her head. “It’s not a roost. It’s a funeral.”

Noah was the last officer left in Sloan’s living room. “Did you call Ridge?” he asked.

“He’s back at the RV park, and Dylan’s picking him up now,” Sloan said. “We didn’t want to bring the RV back here. It would raise too many questions.”

Noah nodded. “Between you and me, was Ridge here all day?”

“Yes. Right until Dylan left to look for Mom.” Sloan spoke through her teeth with forced restraint. “How could you think he had anything to do with this?”

“I don’t.” Noah scratched his lip. “He made a weird comment to me yesterday, is all. Something about you being unable to live a normal life till she was gone.”

Sloan leaned away. “He was just venting. He was here all day.”

“Okay. Just covering the bases. They sent a few officers to your father’s as well. Is there anyone else who may have a reason to hurt Caroline?”

Sloan rubbed her exposed forearms. “You don’t think this was an accident?”

“Most likely was. We’ve got a few witness statements about her walking along the edge today. It was a long way from where she was found, but the body probably floated downstream.”

“You identified her, though. Couldn’t you tell by looking if there was a struggle?”

“There were signs of struggle. But it might have been with the river. In drownings, the face and hands are often dragged along the rocks. The water washes away a lot of forensics, but we’ll conduct a thorough investigation.” He took hold of Sloan’s hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.”

Sloan let go of his hand and ran for Ridge’s arms as soon as he entered the door. She put her head on his shoulder and cried. A reversal of all those times she’d comforted him as a child.

Noah patted Ridge’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, man. I’m going to give you guys some time alone. You can stay here with your sister. I’ll make sure no officers come back tonight.”

“I can leave too,” Dylan said once Noah was out the door.

Sloan reached out for his hand. “No, please stay. Would you mind bringing me some aspirin from the kitchen cupboard? My head’s killing me.”

“You bet. I’ll make some coffee too. The caffeine will help.”

“He’s a good one, sis,” Ridge said as they sat on the couch.

“Yeah, too good for me.”

“Bullshit. You’re the best person I know, Sloan; you’ve always been the best.”

Sloan looked away and noticed her cell phone on the coffee table. “Dad called. About an hour ago. I didn’t answer.” She bit her lip. “You don’t think he’d do anything to—?”

“No way,” Ridge interrupted. “Mom slipped.”

“She talked about crow funerals this morning.” Sloan looked down at her hands. “Maybe I should have told the police, but I didn’t want them to assume she did something on purpose. She wouldn’t.”

“Right,” Ridge said, but he didn’t sound as assured. “She fell. It was an accident.” He pulled out his own phone. “I better call home. I was supposed to be in Dallas already. I’m surprised Vince and Libby haven’t got the National Guard looking for me yet.”

Ridge stood and walked a few steps down the tiny hallway. The house was quiet, and Ridge’s phone volume was loud enough that Sloan could hear Vince on the other side of the line, his voice thick with sleep.

“Dad, it’s me. Sorry to wake you,” Ridge said.

“That’s alright. Did you make it to the Big D?”

“No. I’m back in Mallowater. You need to get back to sleep, but Mom can fill you in tomorrow. Can you put her on?”

“Yep. She’s in the bedroom; give me a minute to get up.”

“The bedroom?” Ridge asked. “She’s not already asleep, is she?”

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