Page 29 of Cougar Point

This is more than I expected and I don’t know what to say, but I’m saved from embarrassment when a gong sounds and Ronnie makes a scary face and says, “Daddy’s home.” Of course she’s referring to a different Jack and not Jack Nicholson from the horror movieThe Shining, where Daddy gets possessed by homicidal ghosts.

Debating for a moment whether to wear my shoulder holster, I decide it won’t be prudent to shoot our host, so I go down unarmed to greet Jack. He’s waiting for us in the kitchen, directing Rebecca on the correct way to make coffee. Espresso actually. The man is not what I expected. There are numerous pictures of him and the family on the stairway walls, and in all of them he looks like a cowboy. He’s square jawed, shorter than Ronnie or Rebecca, fit, and a ruddy complexion with a thick mustache that would make Sam Elliot jealous. My boyfriend, Dan, has been trying to grow a handlebar mustache and I don’t have the heart to tell him to give it up. He has a beard but the mustache has got to go.

In person, Jack’s smile doesn’t reach his faded sky-blue eyes. He takes my hand. “You must be Megan Carpenter.” He’s very attractive. His eyes are more striking than the rug on his upper lip. They are an intensity that demands respect. He says, “Ronnie talks nonstop about you.”

Ronnie does sometimes talk nonstop. But I doubt she’s talked to him more than a handful of times since I’ve known her. Then I remember he’s an attorney and he’s got his “smoke and mirror” machine running, laying down cover and concealment.

“She talks about you too, Mr. Marsh.”Never.

“Please. Call me Jack. You have quite the reputation, young lady. I somehow pictured you as older.”

And I pictured you as taller.“Thanks, I think.” I’m older than Ronnie, a year younger than Rebecca. I guess he expected me to be gray-haired and senile. I smile letting him know I’m not offended, which I am. “This is some place.”

“It’s home. We raised our daughters here. Of course my girls are busy with their own lives now.” He gives Ronnie a look that silently rebukes her. She was right about him giving the “Jack” glare. It is impressive. I’ll have to practice it on the little punks who live around my neighborhood.

“It was nice of you to put us up, Mr. Marsh.”

“Jack. Please. Any friend of my Ronnie is welcome here. I hope Rebecca has you settled. Is the room satisfactory, Detective Carpenter?”

“I’m not on duty so call me Megan. And yes. It’s perfect. And that view! If I didn’t have to go back to work, I’d ask you to adopt me.”

His expression grows serious. “I hope you see the sights while you’re here. I assume you’ll need to get back to work soon.”

“I’ve asked them to stay and help find Mom,” Rebecca says.

His expression darkens like the sky outside. “Rebecca has told you Victoria’s missing?”

Rebecca blushes, but Ronnie isn’t going to be intimidated. Good for her. “We’re here until Mom comes home.”

“So. I assume your partner will be here as well?”

I’m right here. “I wouldn’t be a very good partner if I didn’t offer my help, would I? I don’t have to stay in your home.”

“I appreciate your willingness to help, Megan, but this is a family matter and should be handled as such.”

That does it. I’m not going anywhere. “Ronnie is worried about her mom and her sister and you. I’m worried aboutRonnie. We’re all worried about each other. So why don’t we quit worrying and get down to business.”

After a moment’s silence he says, “You’re welcome to stay if my daughters want it.”

The sisters say nothing. I guess he’s outvoted. I’m not leaving in any case. “Mr. Marsh”—I don’t call him Jack this time because my professional reputation needs to be voiced—“I’ve worked many missing person cases and had excellent results. I can be the soul of discretion.”

“Has Sergeant Lucas talked to you?” he asks.

“He made it very clear to stay out of his way. We will.”Not.“But he has no authority over us as civilian contractors working for Rebecca.” Veins stand out on Jack’s neck and one throbs at his temple. “You won’t find better help than us. We’re experienced and motivated.” I don’t say Sergeant Lucas doesn’t appear to be motivated beyond mooching coffee and cookies. “I understand this is a family matter, but the more you help us the sooner we’ll find her. Have you hired a private investigator?” By his reaction I can see he has. “Have they started working?”

“No.”

“If you use the investigator, we may run across them, so it would help us to know who they are?”Better yet, fire them.

He ignores my question.

“Can you trust whoever it is?”

“Megan, I’ve been a corporate lawyer for more years than you’ve been alive. I don’t trust anyone. But I know people. Molly Quinn is very good at finding people. Expensive, but the best to my way of thinking because you get what you pay for.”

“I’ll charge you double what you’re paying her if it makes you feel any better. You should fire her so Sergeant Lucas doesn’t feel overwhelmed.” And get all defensive again.

His stern look cracks and he suppresses a smile. “Your reputation is you’re incorruptible…and incorrigible.”

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