Page 12 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

Nanuq favored the Kalluk family in physical appearance, though he was slightly taller than his uncle and cousin. The differences ended there. The calluses on his hands and the clothes on his back indicated that he preferred the outdoors to a sterile office position.

“Yes. I worked maintenance at a wildlife conservation at the time. One of the fences partially came down, and I stayed to secure it.” Nanuq gestured over his shoulder. “Kavik, too.”

Kavik Aningan had been Lusa’s boyfriend at the time of her disappearance. He stood apart from the others. Given that the local authorities had treated him as a suspect back then, it wasn’t surprising that he had distanced himself from the Kalluk family members.

From there, Toklo continued to introduce the other family members.

Lusa’s mother, grandmother, and a few other cousins were in attendance. One of Lusa’s friends, who had been waitressing at the bar that night, was huddled next to Mrs. Kalluk. It was obvious that Delilah Swan continued to be close to the family.

“We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us tonight. My colleagues and Special Agent Houser will meet with each of you. In the meantime, beverages are on the counter. If you need anything else, please let me know.”

It was more than apparent that Russell didn’t appreciate being kept in the dark about S&E Investigations’ involvement with the inquiry into Kate’s death, but the federal agent maintained his composure and led Kavik to an empty table. Meanwhile, Nathaniel had pulled Toklo aside to reassure him that tomorrow would go as planned and that his daughter’s remains would finally be brought home to rest.

Brook pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. Bit stayed back in the room to monitor the screens, promising to text her if Mitch stepped into the hallway for any reason. Fortunately, Graham had positioned a camera in the corridor to cover most of the rooms. Unfortunately, with everything that had happened this afternoon, she and Theo hadn’t retrieved Mitch’s water bottle from the plane.

“Miss Sloane?”

Brook kept hold of her phone while giving Toklo her undivided attention.

“I can only assume that after eleven years, my daughter… well, her bones would be all that remains of her.” Toklo cleared his throat before pulling a picture from the inside of his suit jacket. He stared at it for a moment before handing it to her. “The night Lusa vanished, she was wearing an ivory pendant. It has been passed down through my family for generations. You’ll know if the remains belong to my daughter if this pendant is found at the site.”

Brook refrained from explaining the possibility that Lusa could have been murdered elsewhere. The pendant might have fallen off her blouse or been taken by the unsub. Several scenarios could account for why the pendant might not be with Lusa’s remains.

“Thank you for the information, Governor Kalluk.” Brook glanced in Nathaniel’s direction. He was speaking to someone on the phone, most likely an individual within the Bureau, to confirm her claim that S&E Investigations had been brought onto the investigation as consultants. Russell wasn’t the only one irritated with the news. “May I ask you a question?”

Brook tucked the picture of Lusa wearing the ivory pendant into the back of her phone case. She then flipped her phone over to access the screen. It didn’t take her long to pull up Mitch Norona’s photograph.

“Do you, by chance, recognize this gentleman?”

Toklo took time to study Mitch’s image.

“No. What does he have to do with my daughter?”

Brook, Theo, and Sylvie all agreed that if they had the ability to speak with those who knew Lusa personally, they would ask whether they recognized Mitch Norona. Any solid connection could secure them a warrant for the man’s finances, movements, and property.

“Well, he is the defense attorney who is representing Jacob Walsh during this trial.” Brook pressed the side button on her phone. With a simple click, the photograph disappeared from the display. “Mr. Norona has joined us on this trip, and he will be accompanying those hiking out to the general location given to us by his defendant.”

“Thank you for sharing that information with me, Miss Sloane.”

“I do have one more question for you.” Brook’s gaze slid over to Kavik sitting with Russell. She had gone through Lusa’s file numerous times since the beginning of the year, and there was something in Toklo’s statement that bothered her. “Why didn’t you like your daughter dating Kavik Aningan back then? I assume something changed between then and now? After all, he has joined the family by being here today.”

“Why would you think?—”

“Mr. Kalluk, I’ve read through your statement multiple times. You weren’t surprised when the local police focused on Kavik. You never once came to his defense.” Brook paused, giving Toklo time to formulate a response. “I understand that you were very mindful of what you said to the police due to your position as governor. Those days have passed, and I’m asking for your honesty.”

“I didn’t believe Kavik was good enough for my daughter,” Toklo replied bluntly as he smoothed out the lapels on his suit jacket. He didn’t appear to have any reservations about his previous judgment. “Kavik was impulsive. He ran with a rough crowd, and he didn’t always think things through back then. I suppose that was why Lusa was attracted to him. She never rebelled in her teens, and by the time she was out of college and twenty-three…well, she wanted to test the waters. She didn’t understand that being in the public eye meant falling in line with public opinion. Every choice she made reflected on me, my position, and any future beyond being governor. In the days leading up to her disappearance, we fought constantly. It got so bad that I was very close to cutting Lusa off from making any public political appearances on my behalf.”

Toklo adjusted his stance so that his gaze could rest on his wife. His features softened, and he subconsciously tapped two fingers against his heart.

“I left the public eye after my first term. What good is serving the people if I can’t serve my own family? Give them love? Attention?” Toklo turned his focus toward Brook. “I made a mistake with my daughter. I’ve recently made such an admission to Kavik, which is why he joined us this evening.”

“Mr. Kalluk, there was nothing in Lusa’s case files that indicated the two of you had been at odds. What about your family? Friends? Were they aware of your disapproval?”

“Does it matter?” Toklo replied defensively. “My daughter is gone, and your brother claims responsibility.”

“It matters a great deal.”

Brook had several theories regarding Mitch Norona’s connection with her brother. The team had speculated that Mitch could have witnessed Jacob murder Lusa back in 2014. Jacob had been known to threaten loved ones to get others to do his bidding, and there was mounting evidence that he had done the same with Mitch Norona.The problem with that theory was that Lusa would have believed her life was perfect. Toklo was suggesting otherwise.

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