Page 35 of The Woodcarver's Model
“Let me see what I can find out. Why don’t you have a seat.”
Rob took the seat and Corporal Evans went to a desk and ran a few searches on her computer, then made a call. She spoke quietly to the other party, glancing up at him from time to time. He couldn’t tell where this was going. She hung up the phone and returned to the counter. Rob joined her.
“Do you travel much, Mr Hanson?”
“A fair bit, yes. I’m a travel writer. I’m writing a piece on Marsh Island right now.”
“Nice place. I was there once on a holiday,” she commented. “Have you travelled abroad lately?”
“Just got back from Somalia about a month ago.”
“That’ll be it then. You’re going to have to talk to one of my superiors about some questions Mr Robichaud has.”
Rob frowned. “Won’t I be talking to him personally?”
“I doubt it. He’s in Dubai.”
“Oh. Am I in some kind of trouble?”Keep it dumb and innocent. A Canadian who has been linked to a dead guy in the streets of Mogadishu is going to be in trouble.
“Did you see anything unusual during your last trip?” she continued.
“In Mogadishu, everything is strange by our standards.”
“I guess so.” She paused for a moment. “Look, it’s probably not as bad as you might think. Here’s my superior’s name and number in Victoria. He might be able to clear this up with a phone call.”
“Can I call him right now?”
“Sorry, but he just left here about an hour ago. It’ll be a while before he gets to Victoria. I’d try him tomorrow after nine. He works a decent shift.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you.” Rob stood, and shook her hand.
“Care for a candy?” Corporal Evans indicated the candy dish.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Rob took one and headed back out into the parking lot. He called Mitch and got his voicemail. “Hey. Just wrapped up my meeting and I’m going to head back on the next ferry. I think I might take your advice and drop by for a talk with Sheila Marsh on my way home. That should give me what I need to finish the article. See you soon.”
Rob got into his Jeep and started the engine. He might be able to catch the earlier ferry back if he hurried. He pulled out onto South Road and headed to the dock. As he drove, a car followed at a distance.
“Huh. Now I wonder what he was doin’ there?” Francis said to himself. He’d have to ask his wife. She would have talked to him on the crossing over. He drove on, keeping his distance.Not much reason for him to be makin’ a trip just to see them, he thought.Well, if a man is tryin’ to keep a secret, ‘specially from my wife, it won’t be a secret for long. That woman can’t bear not knowin’ everything about everyone.
* * * *
Rob hadn’t taken this route since the day he had met Mitch, the time when Sheila had spoken with him at the cemetery—the day after she’d almost run him over. It seemed like a lifetime ago. It was a short drive along the tree-canopied lane before Rob turned into the long driveway leading to Marsh Island Veterinary Clinic. The sign was emblazoned with a cartoon dog, cat and… He wasn’t too sure what. A weasel, maybe. Or a snake.
Rob found Sheila at the front door talking to a young boy who was holding a small kitten that seemed to have been through the wars.
“Now, Tigger got off pretty lightly this time, but you’re going to have to promise me you’ll keep him inside from now on. Okay? Next time he might not be as lucky.”
“Yes, Dr Marsh. I promise,” he said, holding on to the kitten and looking up to the heavens as he carefully made his way to a waiting car.
Rob grinned. “That one looks a little worse for wear.”
“The boy or the cat?”
“Both, I guess,” Rob answered.
Sheila shook her head in amazement. “Got carried away by a golden eagle from the sounds of it. The cat, that is. Not the boy. Saved in the nick of time by the boy’s sister who threw a rock at it as it flew off. Tigger’s lucky she’s as good a shot as she is. The bird dropped the poor little cat into a tree where they were able to retrieve it.”
“Now that’s a great story.”
