Page 36 of Cougar Point

“I can promise you Vicki hasn’t had contact with Vinnie,” Jack says.

I ask, “Rebecca, you say the caller might have been a woman?”

“It was distorted, but that’s the impression I had. Maybe the note and the call are from the same person?”

Jack says, “Not necessarily. It could be a coincidence. Vinnie is asking for money. The caller is wanting you to stop what you’re doing.”

I find it interesting that Jack doesn’t include himself in this effort and sayswhat you’re doingand notwe’redoing. He still doesn’t get it. “The resort’s video system was shut off Thursday night and not turned on until your wife was gone. We have the note and now a call. This is too much for mere coincidence, Jack. Has anyone contacted you?”

He indicates no one has contacted him. He’s got an attorney’s face and gives little away. He’s very convincing.

Rebecca asks a question that’s bothering me too, “Why haven’t we been contacted about a ransom?”

Victoria’s been gone since Friday morning, maybe as early as late Thursday evening, and it’s now Monday. A ransom demand has to be on the way. The sisters seem convinced their mom would have let them know she was leaving. Rebecca saying she felt her mom was trying to tell her something at the resort makes me lean toward the idea that she was going to tell Rebecca she’s divorcing Jack. But there are two complications to that theory. The call from an unknown woman, and the note from a possible brother that has a drug and gambling problem. Taking these two incidents in turn it looks like the brother left the note for Victoriaand when Victoria didn’t do what she “promised” the woman, or brother, or both, kidnapped her.

The implied threat in the call strikes a personal nerve. I seem to draw violence to me like a black cloud brings rain. Those around me are targeted for my sins. Now this person calling Rebecca knows we’re here. Knows I’m here. Knows I’m looking for them. Are they willing to hurt Ronnie’s mom to stop me? Or am I giving myself too much importance? My heart beats faster and I feel a fist squeezing the breath out of me.

A dear friend, Monique Delmont, was murdered in a savage manner because of her association with me. She had helped me change my name, get through college, which resulted in my going to the police academy and ending up where I am. Recently, Dan was drugged and almost killed by the same psycho that killed Monique to send me a message. Both were collateral damage for a war they hadn’t started. I can’t be responsible for anyone else being killed because of me. For a moment I consider packing up and going home. But only for a moment. I know Ronnie will never stop. And I owe her.

Jack sips his espresso and says matter-of-factly, “This is best handled by the authorities now. Your clumsy involvement has jeopardized a peaceful resolution.”

He looks at me when he spews this crap. Theauthoritieshe’s talking about seem to have done nothing so far and it’s two days since Victoria’s disappearance. The police aren’t even keeping Rebecca abreast of what they are doing. “Does Sergeant Lucas know about the note found at the resort?” I ask.

“We’ve discussed it.”

It’s strange Lucas wouldn’t have brought this up when he was reading us the riot act. “Does anyone else know about the note?”

Jack calmly says, “I told you no. Do you think I’m lying?”

Yes.“That’s not what I meant. I want to know how much of her disappearance is known so we can limit the suspects.” That sounds good, and actually is true.

Jack looks incredulous. “So you’re not going to stop what you’re doing?”

Ronnie doesn’t show any lessening of her resolve to keep going. I take my phone out and go outside. Ronnie follows.

“Who are you calling?”

The phone is answered and I put mine on speaker. “Sheriff, we need some help.”

Tony’s new chair squeaks worse than his old one did when he leans back. He’s already ruined it. He really needs to lose some weight. “What can I do for you, Megan? I assume this has to do with Ronnie’s family.”

I mouth the words to Ronnie asking if it’s okay to tell the Sheriff what’s going on. She nods. “She’s on the line with us, Sheriff. Do you know the sheriff of Whatcom County?”

“Yeah. Charlie Longbow. Full-blooded Lummi Indian.”

“So you’re friends?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. He’s a straight shooter. Good guy. Why?”

I fill Tony in on the situation with Ronnie’s mom without telling him everything. I tell him about the lack of enthusiasm shown by Sergeant Lucas and his threats to send us packing—or worse, to arrest us for interfering in an investigation.

“You need me to put in a word to Sheriff Longbow?”

“Yes.”Get Lucas off our backs.

“Are you looking to be deputized so you can legally work on this?” Tony asks. His tone of voice says it’s never going to happen.

“That would be great.” I would ask Sheriff Longbow myself but I think he would have laughed in my face.

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