Page 36 of Mann Hunt
“A hockey team up north in Airdrie,” Charlie answered, while still making notes in his book. “A Triple-A team, aren’t they?” Charlie asked Katherine.
“Yes,” she said with surprise in her voice. “Ian bought the team ten or so years back. He felt it was the best way to show how Canadian he’d become.”
“Did he spend much time with the team?” Charlie continued.
“He made sure he went to all of their games. Ian took their publicity shots—he was an excellent photographer. He hadn’t done much of that since we moved here. Sad, really. That’s what he loved more than anything in life. Way back in the old days, that is.”
Katherine went silent. Declan paused then said, “Well, why don’t we start with what we have here for the moment? At the same time, we’ll try and find out what the police are doing. They probably won’t move on anything until either the car is found…or your husband is.”
The reality of that statement set in, and the colour left her face. “You think he’s dead, don’t you?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll do our best to find out the truth.”
Katherine looked like she might faint.
“Let me get you some water,” Charlie said. He jumped to his feet and quickly headed to the kitchenette.
He really does care about people, Declan thought.
Charlie came back in with a tall glass of water as Katherine cried into a tissue. “So, you will look into this for me?”
“I’ll have Charlie provide you with the contract as soon as we’re done here.”
After several minutes of being consoled, Katherine had signed the agreement with Declan HuntInvestigations, which Charlie took to the file room. As she prepared to leave, Declan asked one more question.
“The policeman who questioned you on Saturday—his name wasn’t McKeckran, was it?”
“Yes. I think that was his name. Is that important?”
“No. Just curious. We’ll be in touch tomorrow, unless we hear of something any sooner.”
Charlie returned as Declan shook her hand, and Katherine Mann walked out of the office.
Declan put his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. “Huh. That’s interesting.”
“What is?” Charlie asked.
Declan stared at the office door. “I think this is the same case that Luke’s working on.”
* * * *
Katherine exited the office and got into the back of the Uber she had ordered. As the car pulled away from the curb, she reached for her phone and tapped in a number. After three rings, a smooth, deep voice answered.
“How did it go?”
“I had to tell them about you,” she said.
“So soon?”
“I had no choice. It’s best to control the release of information rather than react to it.”
“But it was just to the detective, right?”
“And his assistant. Anyway, he’ll be giving you a call to confirm a few things. Don’t let him talk you into anything other than what we discussed. And watch out for his little friend. I don’t think he’s as innocent as he acts.”
Chapter Twelve
“How’d you like to do some more research?” Declan asked.
