Page 37 of Cougar Point

“I’ll call him. Can I do anything else?”

“I’ll let you know. Thanks.”

I put the phone in my pocket, and Ronnie asks, “And what if Sheriff Longbow won’t deputize us, Megan?”

“We’ll wing it.”

“Like we always do. Right?”

Rebecca comes outside. “It’s almost noon. Dad said I should take you to lunch. We have no staff, and I don’t cook. And no one can make espresso except Ronnie.”

Say what you like about Jack Marsh, he takes care of his guests’ appetites. I hadn’t realized how quickly the morning had passed, though the rumble in my tummy should have given me a hint. Some detective I am.

I can relate to Rebecca’s lack of culinary skills, though I do make a mean pack of Ramen noodles. “I could eat pizza. Do they deliver here? Or does the driver need a background check to get in?”

Rebecca gives a nervous chuckle and I can see she’s barely holding herself together. Going to eat is a great distraction.

“I’m taking you out for a sit-down meal. Dad wants to stay here in case we get another call or Mom comes home.”

“Good idea.” I didn’t want to eat with him anyway. I hate to be a downer, but I don’t hold out hope Victoria will walk in the door.

Rebecca asks, “Do you like oysters, Megan?”

“Who doesn’t?” I’ve never had oysters. I’ve never deliberately swallowed snot either. Hayden tells me I need to try different things. Explore. Experience. He told me about some of the things he ate in Afghanistan. Described them in great detail until I told him “shoot me now.” Hayden thought I was kidding.

TWENTY-SEVEN

We load into my SUV and exit the Marsh empire. Drayton Harbor Oysters is on the outskirts of Blaine and faces the harbor. As we approach I get a phone call. I put it on speaker.

“This is Sheriff Longbow’s secretary. He would like to see you in his office.”

Ronnie and I exchange a look. Either we’re in trouble or Sheriff Gray has convinced Longbow to deputize us. We can wait on food. Rebecca takes us to Bellingham.

Sheriff Longbow is standing in front of a WWII Army surplus desk. He could be a twin to Sheriff Tony Gray except he’s Native American. He’s wearing a black Stetson with a silver-and-turquoise sweatband around the crown. His black Western boots have a high shine. His heavy leather duty belt is held together with an overlarge silver-and-turquoise cowboy buckle that peeks from under his paunch. His face is devoid of any expression.

“You’re Tony’s people,” he says. “Charlie Longbow.” He holds out his hand, his lack of expression remains as we introduce ourselves.

“Your dad says Victoria is missing,” he says when we’re done.

“My mom has been gone since Friday morning, but no one has taken a missing person report.”

“Your dad reported it to me and I assigned Sergeant Lucas.”

There’s plenty of seating in the office but he hasn’t offered us a seat. I take the lead and pull up a chair for myself. I ask, “Sheriff Longbow. You talked to our sheriff this morning. He told you why we’re here and what we need.”

“He did.” He sits behind his desk and sighs deeply. “Take a seat.”

When we’re seated, Longbow says, “First of all let me say how sorry I am. Victoria has a lot of respect around here. Her charity work is needed and appreciated. We’ll do everything we can to find her safe and get her home.”

“Your sheriff and I go way back. We went to the Academy together. He said you’re his best detectives. Sergeant Lucas is mine. He’ll work alongside you.”

Sheriff hadn’t told me he knew Longbow from way back. Maybe he didn’t remember. Or think it important.

“I haven’t seen Tony since the last Sheriff’s Conference. He kept us all laughing.” He looks at me. “I owe him and he never lets me forget.”

I want to ask what the debt is. And I want to know about the comic sheriff that I’ve never seen. But I don’t get off the subject. “We’re not here to interfere with Sergeant Lucas or the investigation.”

“You’re here to support your partner, Megan, and I commend you for that.”

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