Page 29 of Canyon Killer
“Follow me.” He led them to the far end of the room and a shelf stacked with oversize folders. “These are all the issues of theEagle Mountain Examinerprior to when they began digitizing them, about 2010.” He reached up and pulled a volume off a shelf. “This is 1975. Even then, the paper only came out once a week, so you should be able to get through them fairly quickly.”
“I’ll take 1975,” Ian said and reached for the folder.
Bethany took the folder for 1976, and they moved to a large worktable in the center of the room and began flipping through the papers. Bethany scanned the pages of newsprint, stopping to marvel at photographs of young women in short skirts and men with long hair and sideburns. “Did you know you could buy a hamburger for thirty-five cents in 1976?” she asked.
“You’re supposed to be looking for a marriage announcement,” Ian said.
“Sorry. You’re right.” She flipped faster, scanning the pages and forcing herself not to stop to read the articles about local politics or school events.
Halfway through the folder, she realized there was a section at the center of each issue of the paper that listed events that had taken place in the previous week, from birthdays of people in town to anniversaries, funerals and marriages. She scanned this column closely, learning thatPatsy Lehring turned six years old Friday, celebrating with a family party with cake and ice cream. AndPete and Donna Farber celebrated twenty-four years of wedded bliss on Tuesday.
“I think I found it,” Ian said.
Bethany moved over to stand beside him. His finger hovered over the page, pointing to an item. She leaned forward and read, “‘Gerald Boston and Abigail Simpson were wed in a civil ceremony at the Rayford County Courthouse last Wednesday afternoon, Judge Patrick Simmons presiding.’” She grinned at Ian. “That’s it. Katherine must have been George’s first wife.”
“Would she hate him enough to kill him?” he wondered.
“Find what you need?” Caleb rejoined them.
“Yes,” Bethany said. “But how can we find out more about Katherine Berringer Boston?”
“We could start with a web search of the name.” He moved to the laptop. After a few moments of typing, he shook his head. “I’m not finding anything. And the census records show she lived here most of her life. She never remarried and apparently didn’t have any children.”
“Aaron said George’s nephew still lives in town,” Ian said. “Maybe we can find and talk to him.” He checked his phone. “But I really need to go now. I have a teleconference.”
“I’ll do a little more research online at home and see if I can find Gerald’s nephew,” Bethany said.
They thanked Caleb and left the museum. “Have you heard from any more protestors?” she asked.
“Nothing. What about you? Anyone suspicious hanging around? Any odd phone calls or notes left on your car?”
“Nothing. I think that note was just someone’s lame idea of trying to get your attention. I haven’t felt like I was in danger for even one minute.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“And I hope all of this will blow over,” she said. “It’s so silly anyway.”
He studied her for so long that she grew warmer in the heat of his gaze. She put a hand to her cheek. “What are you staring at?”
“I want to tell you to stay away from the canyon for your own good, but I’m beginning to realize you’re going to do what you want to anyway.”
“You’re a smart man.” She smiled. “And admit it—you want to see me, don’t you? And you want to show off what you’re doing in the canyon.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips across her cheek, sending a thrill through her. “Yes, I want to see you. And yes, I want you to see what I’m doing. But be careful.”
“Always.” Careful with her person. Not always careful with her heart.
CHAPTER EIGHT
On Friday, Bethany woke with a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She picked up her phone and stared at the date, and the black feeling intensified. One year ago today she was supposed to have stood in front of friends and family and declared her love to Justin Asher, the man she had believed she would spend the rest of her life with.
Instead, she had spent the day in tears, she and her mother packing up wedding gifts to be returned to the well-wishers who would never hear her vows. Her wedding dress had been packed away, never worn, in an archival box now relegated to her parents’ attic.
She allowed herself a few tears in the shower, then headed downstairs. This was just a day, like any other day. She wasn’t going to spend it in mourning.
But when her mother greeted her at the office with a hug, her face solemn, Bethany almost broke down. Dalton and Carter avoided the office altogether, although when she went outside she caught them glancing at her with the same expression they might have worn if a bear had wandered into the office.
I’m fine!she wanted to scream at them. Then again, that might not be very reassuring.
