Page 82 of Cougar Point

“Mrs. Milligan,” Ronnie says.

“I ain’t a Milligan,” the woman says. “I never married that bastard. All he ever gave me is a kid and an ungrateful one at that. What’s she done now?”

“I’m Detective Marsh. My partner talked to Missy at the resort. We need to pass on some new information. She’s not in trouble.”

“Well, she’s, uh, asleep.”

Ronnie says, “Can you wake her? I think she’ll want to hear what I have to tell her.”

“Nope. I don’t go in her room. Ever. I just pay the bills and feed her and my boy when he comes here,” she says. “You got any kids, Detective.” Before Ronnie can answer, she says, “Didn’t think so. Well, take my advice. Keep your legs together. Too late for me.”

“Good advice, ma’am.”

The woman laughs and it turns into a coughing fit. When she recovers she says, “You don’t mean that but thank you for agreeing with me. No one else does. It’s been nice talking to you but I got things to do before her highness gets her ass out of bed.”

“One other thing,” Ronnie says. “Do you know a guy named Thundercloud?”

“Oh, Good Lord!”

“So you know him?”

“I should. He’s my son, but I don’t really claim him. He’s no good, that one. And before you ask, I don’t know where he is and don’t want to know or talk about him, so goodbye.”

Ronnie hurriedly says, “Just one more thing, ma’am. Can you leave Missy a note?”

She sighs, and says, “This is it but keep it short. I got to look for something to write with.” The phone clatters and I hear, “Well, shit fire.” When she comes back she’s yelling into the phone, and Ronnie holds it at arm’s length. “Okay. Damn pen. Hang on.” The phone clatters again and then she comes back. “Okay. This one’s working. What do you want to tell her? Not like she’ll pay attention. She don’t like cops. Not me, you understand. I don’t have a thing against cops.”

“Just say we’re meeting Vinnie in Bellingham.”

“Hold on a dang minute.” The phone is muffled, and I can hear her speaking to someone else but the words are unclear. “Who’s Vinnie?”

“He’s someone she’s helping us look for.”

“Spell the name for me.”

Ronnie does; it’s like teaching calculus to a two-year-old. She has to repeat the phone number several times.

“Okay. I don’t know if she can read my writing but I’ll put it on her door.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Have you seen Missy’s boyfriend?”

She laughs. “Which one? Boyfriend. That’s a good one. She’s having it on with my no-good boy. How’s that for a mental issue?”

“Tell her to call us. Thank you, ma’am.”

“Ronnie, ask her if Roger called?” I say, but the call goes dead.

Ronnie and I look at each other in disbelief and a little disgust. Thundercloud is Missy’s brother. How sick is that? Next stop, Whatcom County lockup.

We’re shown into the sheriff’s office right away as if he’s expecting us.

“Glad to see you, ladies,” Longbow says and indicates two chairs. We sit. “I hope you don’t think I run a half-assed outfit. I’ve got everyone available looking for Duke. It’s not the first time something like this has happened. Duke’s been a good trusty in the past. I don’t know what made him run, but I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with him talking to you and Lucas.”

Captain Roberts, the jail commander, knocks on the door frame. “You wanted me, Sheriff?”

“Anything on Duke?” Longbow asks.

“Nothing new, Sheriff.”

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