Page 73 of Cougar Point

She is wearing a ring Jack gave her after Ronnie’s birth. It had birthstones in it for both of her daughters. She doesn’t answer fearing he’ll steal them. It’s a silly thought but she has nothing left. Not even her dignity.

“Will he know these are yours?” the man asks.

“What…”

“The rings. Will hubby know they’re yours?”

“Why would you…?”

“Wrong answer again.” His fist slams into the side of her face and she’s falling.

FORTY-EIGHT

While we are talking Lucas gets a phone call from Lieutenant Sitzman at the jail. He puts the call on speaker so we can listen and asks, “Where was Duke supposed to be going?”

Sitzman says, “He went to get some stamps and envelopes. He should have been back by now. I just called because you and your partners talked to him yesterday.”

Partners?I think that’s stretching things a bit.

“Did you call to see if he’s been to the post office?” Lucas asks.

I can hear Sitzman letting out a deep breath. Either he’s offended, or he thinks Lucas is an idiot. I vote for the second one.

Sitzman says, “I did. He never got there. You know, these guys never wander too far. If he comes in liquored up, he’ll get stuck in an isolation cell and that means no more trusty status.”

“When you find him, call me.” Lucas disconnects.

“Why would he go AWOL?” Ronnie asks.

“You heard what the jail said so you know what I know. The post office is five minutes from the station. Lieutenant Sitzman isn’t worried and I’m not either. Happens all the time. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

Will we?It’s possible they’re right. Maybe Duke is scoring some more drugs to sell in lockup. I remember seeing what I thought was a baggy of pot in Duke’s pocket. He’s more than likely off somewhere, his head in a cloud, literally. But I don’t think this is coincidence given our last discussion that the kidnapper may have someone in the jail pulling strings. Duke knew about Victoria and her cornucopia of money. He has a taste of freedom. He’s jumped to the head of the class as a suspect.

Ronnie says, “I’ve got Duke’s records from the jail but I’m sure you know more than is in those records. Is there something we don’t have, Sergeant Lucas?”

“Nothing to speak of. Just feelings. Same as you.”

I say, “Duke told us he was Vinnie’s only friend.” Lucas raises an eyebrow. “And Duke knew Victoria was leaving money for Vinnie.”

Lucas shakes his head. “But Victoria wasn’t leaving thousands of dollars on her brother’s books at the jail. Jail policy precludes any large amounts. I’m guessing Vinnie spent a couple thousand; for the van, the food and another couple hundred he gave away. Maybe his sister gave him the money after he got out, but I can’t see someone with a drug and gambling habit giving everything he has away. Can you? Unless he knows there’s more where that came from.”

Or if Vinnie won the money? Not likely. But Lucas is right. Duke told us Vinnie spent money the minute he got it. I say, “Hattie said Vinnie was on foot. She didn’t think he would be capable of committing a crime.” As soon as I say it, I realize how stupid that sounds. Vinnie is a criminal. He’s committed numerous crimes and is always in need of money. Between him and Duke as suspects, it’s a tie.

But then, not all criminals have a record. They just haven’t been caught yet. My thoughts turn to some of the people weinterviewed at Semiahmoo, and I ask Lucas if he’s done any digging on that side.

Lucas says, “If you’ve got a notebook with you, I’ll tell you what I know on.”

We don’t need notebooks, but Ronnie always has one that she produces like magic. She opens it on the table and says, “Shoot.”

“Roger Whiting is a recovering alcoholic,” he begins, and I must have a surprised look on my face because he adds, “All of us have secrets.”

I’m no exception. My secrets are a lot worse than Roger’s. I wonder what Lucas’s secrets are.

“Roger was involved in a little scandal concerning the Lummi Indian casino several years back.”

“What kind of scandal?” Ronnie asks.

“Money laundering. The feds didn’t charge him because he never handled any of the money. A gambling outfit was running money through the resort, and Whiting was in a position to deposit the money into an account in Canada. The feds could never prove he benefited from it.”

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