Page 28

TWENTY-SEVEN

We load into my SUV and exit the Marsh empire. Drayton Harbor Oysters is on the outskirts of Blaine and faces the harbor. As we approach I get a phone call. I put it on speaker.

“This is Sheriff Longbow’s secretary. He would like to see you in his office.”

Ronnie and I exchange a look. Either we’re in trouble or Sheriff Gray has convinced Longbow to deputize us. We can wait on food. Rebecca takes us to Bellingham.

Sheriff Longbow is standing in front of a WWII Army surplus desk. He could be a twin to Sheriff Tony Gray except he’s Native American. He’s wearing a black Stetson with a silver-and-turquoise sweatband around the crown. His black Western boots have a high shine. His heavy leather duty belt is held together with an overlarge silver-and-turquoise cowboy buckle that peeks from under his paunch. His face is devoid of any expression.

“You’re Tony’s people,” he says. “Charlie Longbow.” He holds out his hand, his lack of expression remains as we introduce ourselves.

“Your dad says Victoria is missing,” he says when we’re done.

“My mom has been gone since Friday morning, but no one has taken a missing person report.”

“Your dad reported it to me and I assigned Sergeant Lucas.”

There’s plenty of seating in the office but he hasn’t offered us a seat. I take the lead and pull up a chair for myself. I ask, “Sheriff Longbow. You talked to our sheriff this morning. He told you why we’re here and what we need.”

“He did.” He sits behind his desk and sighs deeply. “Take a seat.”

When we’re seated, Longbow says, “First of all let me say how sorry I am. Victoria has a lot of respect around here. Her charity work is needed and appreciated. We’ll do everything we can to find her safe and get her home.”

“Your sheriff and I go way back. We went to the Academy together. He said you’re his best detectives. Sergeant Lucas is mine. He’ll work alongside you.”

Sheriff hadn’t told me he knew Longbow from way back. Maybe he didn’t remember. Or think it important.

“I haven’t seen Tony since the last Sheriff’s Conference. He kept us all laughing.” He looks at me. “I owe him and he never lets me forget.”

I want to ask what the debt is. And I want to know about the comic sheriff that I’ve never seen. But I don’t get off the subject. “We’re not here to interfere with Sergeant Lucas or the investigation.”

“You’re here to support your partner, Megan, and I commend you for that.”

I use one of his remarks. “And I owe her.”

“Tony says you don’t always do things by the book and can be very creative.”

“We do what we have to…within the law,” I lie.

“Glad to hear it. I like self-starters. But I won’t brook cutting corners to make an arrest. Same as lying in my book and I can’t stand liars.”

“I agree completely,” I say.

He gives me a hard look like he knows I’m lying. He’s very perceptive, but I’m a very good liar.

“We play by the rules,” I say. The same rules the criminals play by.

His eyes linger on mine until he’s satisfied then leans back and his chair squeals. I wonder if that’s a sheriff thing. Or if it’s because of their girth.

“Ronnie Marsh,” he says. “I’ve heard good things about you from the Academy. I still have contacts there. I teach an interrogation class from time to time. A good interviewer is worth their weight in gold. We teach firearms four times longer than we school on interrogation and I wonder sometimes if it shouldn’t be reversed. I understand you’re proficient at firearms and interviewing. Good skills to have. We could use more of that here. Now. Let’s get back to your mom. Sergeant Lucas is the best detective I’ve got. If I ever have need of assistance in your county, I expect you to give us what help we need.”

“Goes without saying.” I’ll give Lucas something all right.

“Well, if you’re going to be working in my jurisdiction, I need to do something.”