Page 74 of In Cold Blood

The cabin’s floodlights were on, illuminating the driveway. He noticed Alicia had shown up in her work truck. His thoughts went back to his father’s house, the moment he’d seen a truck disappear around the bend. A detail that stood out in his mind was the rack of lights on top. There was something about the silhouette and shape that looked familiar. Her truck was black. A Ford F-150 with STATE GAME WARDEN in dark green on the tailgate. It had been too dark to see from his father’s driveway but he was sure he recalled seeing some kind of emblem partially illuminated by the red taillights.

She would have also had the means to confiscate illegally poached kills.

He shook his head, not allowing his mind to jump to conclusions. It would have been easy to do so. Ever since he’d arrived in High Peaks, he’d been a little paranoid. Still, he couldn’tshake the thought. Would she have gone that far even if she had nothing to do with his brother’s murder?

Noah came out, drier, and warmer than before. He wore a pair of jeans, no socks, and a blue shirt. “You always did clean up nice,” she remarked.

“Thanks.” Noah glanced at her as he crossed the room, his mind still rolling.

“I mean, can you believe it? All this time. Ten months without any sign of him and Erikson’s body is discovered a few miles from his truck. What are the chances that search and rescue missed that spot? I would love to know who the hiker was.”

“Jack Grayson,” he replied, opening the fridge and taking out a beer.

He cracked the top off and handed it to her.

“Ah, so you’ve been digging?”

“I spoke with Lena today.”

“And she offered that up?”

“Doesn’t exactly take a brain scientist to figure it out.”

“And did she say how Jack ‘stumbled’ across the remains? I must say I love her choice of words. Stumbled.” She laughed. “Like you stumble across a dead body in the middle of the McKenzie Wilderness.” She tucked a dark curly strand of hair behind her ear and took a seat on the leather couch right beside him. Axel was curled up in a ball in a bed across the room, his eyes going up and down, his ears perking every few seconds as if eavesdropping.

“Well, his story must have been convincing because they didn’t arrest him.”

“Of course not. He’s a Grayson. If they managed to get Cyrus off the hook, do you think they would let their son get accused of murder?”

“Depends what his story is.”

“You haven’t talked to him yet?” She took a swig. “I figured you’d be all over that by now.”

“That would imply I’m getting involved.”

“So that little venture out on the water tonight was just for kicks and giggles?”

“County is handling it.”

“Confidence. I like that. By the way, where’s your rental?”

He cut her a glance. “Were you working this evening?”

Her brow furrowed. “Yeah. I finished up about an hour ago.”

“Were you in town before you came here?”

She looked confused. “In the area.” She paused. “Running some errands. Why?”

He nodded. “Just out of curiosity. Where were you on the night Luke died?”

She was about to take a drink when she stopped, the bottle but a few inches from her lips. Her eyebrow shot up. “Are you serious?”

“Just a question.”

“Working. About fifteen miles away. I have two poachers who can vouch for me. Satisfied? Or would you like me to get them on the phone to confirm it?”

He shrugged.