Page 45 of Thaw of Spring (Knife’s Edge, Alaska #2)

T he tavern still smelled like burnt wood and bleach.

Amka sat at the far table near the back window, a warm bowl of chicken soup from the Green Plate in front of her, but her appetite hadn’t caught up yet.

Daisy had brought the soup in a thermos from the café and now busied herself with cleaning soot off the bar.

They’d closed for the week, but Amka wasn’t up to figuring out how badly the kitchen was damaged right now.

Lucas had come by to survey the place, muttering the entire time that he’d moved to Alaska to get away from fire and would never miss a town meeting again. That somebody else could take over as tanker chief. His jaw tight, he’d told Amka he’d be back soon for an in-depth investigation.

Poor guy. All he wanted to do was write his darn book.

Christian sat to Amka’s right, one arm resting along the back of her chair like he’d planted himself there permanently. Damian sat across from them, shoulders stiff, eyes constantly scanning the room like a threat might come through the door at any second.

Nobody spoke for a while. The soup cooled.

Christian looked at Damian. “Time for you to catch us up. We knew you were briefly married to a woman named Stella for a job in Intelligence, and that you got divorced, but you’d never talk about it.”

Amka studied the brothers. No doubt Christian had never forced his brother to talk. That wasn’t his style.

Damian ran a rough hand through his thick black hair. “Yeah, Stella and I married for a job. It was a shitshow and I can’t tell you much about it. But we never got divorced. I’ve been looking for her for years, and now that I’m out, I planned to find her. I had no clue she was in town.”

This was too weird.

“You married a purple haired pixie-like twenty year old?” Christian shook his head.

Damian barked out a laugh. “She’s a master at disguises. Stella is thirty and her natural hair color is platinum blonde. Think Russian starlet.” He tugged out his phone to text. “I’m asking Dutch to put out a BOLO on her, but they’ll never find her. She’s that good.”

Christian narrowed his gaze. “You seem okay with this. That she was in town and now she’s gone.”

Damian smiled, and there was no humor in the look. More like anticipation. “Yeah, but she was here for a reason, so I’m sure I’ll see her soon. Can’t wait.” He rolled his neck. “We have more immediate concerns, don’t you think?”

Amka stirred her soup and kept her voice even. “Yeah. Whoever keeps trying to kill me, besides Steve, has to think I know something about Jarod. Right?”

“Right,” Christian said. “I can’t think of any other reason. Brock texted earlier with news about the canvassing in Anchorage. A bartender there kind of remembers Jarod often hanging out with a woman last summer, but he can’t remember much about her. She might’ve been blonde…or brunette.”

“That’s not helpful,” Amka sighed. She hadn’t wanted to know anything about Jarod.

“Whoever has the video must be starting to wonder about Jarod’s whereabouts.

Nobody in town has really asked yet, because he so often took off, but even they will soon.

” She’d already given the scary note to Christian, and he figured it had to be from the person that Jarod trusted.

Maybe she should just pay up. Her heart hurt.

How was she going to protect Flossy? The sweet woman could not go to prison.

Christian’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen, eyes narrowing. “Dutch.” He stepped away from the table, pacing toward the front window as he answered. “Yeah?”

Amka eyed him, knowing he wanted to be outside. Out hunting for whoever was trying to hurt her. “I initially didn’t want to date your brother because I didn’t want to have to take care of a man.”

Damian snorted. “Seriously? Sweetheart, you don’t read people very well.”

“I know.” She let an embarrassed grin slip.

“Since we’ve been, well, whatever we’ve been doing, he’s rescued me from an explosion, bullets, a freezing river, and a psycho with a gun by putting himself in danger each time.

He paid my bail, and he’s kept me safe for more nights than I can count.

” Sure, she probably could count them, but why?

Damian watched his brother for a moment. “I don’t think he’s the easiest of guys, but he’ll definitely take care of you. That probably goes both ways.”

“I know, and I’m happy to make sure he gets outside and doesn’t force himself into society. I accept him as he is, and I like him.” More than that. Way more. “But he doesn’t exactly seem like he wants to get serious, you know?” She hadn’t been joking about wanting kids.

Damian’s mouth twitched. “He’s serious, Amka. Believe me.” He glanced at her, his eyes a burning green in the tavern. “He’s not great with words, but he’ll stick. I hope you slap him upside the head if you need.”

That was sweet. Osprey sweet. “You think I’ll have to?”

“Yes.” Damian took a sip of the soup. “He’s also thickheaded and doesn’t realize what a good mate he’d be. You might have to smack him a few times.”

She could do that. Her stomach grumbling, she forced a sip of soup, but it tasted like salt and metal now.

Her lip was still swollen, and she could feel the tight scab forming just inside where she’d bit down too hard during the fight.

Every muscle in her body ached. Her ribs throbbed. It had been a seriously rough week.

Christian’s voice cut across the room. Sharper now. “You’re what?” he said into the phone. He turned around slowly, lowering the phone from his ear. Then he retook his seat, irritation rolling off him along with that heat he always seemed to provide.

“What is it?” Damian asked.

“Dutch says he’s off chasing a lead on the eyeless victims. He’s going quiet for a while—no cell, no updates, no backup.”

“And?” Damian prompted.

Christian scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’ve been pulled off as a consultant on the case.”

The words didn’t register at first. “What?” Amka asked.

“There are charges pending against you,” Christian said. “And possibly against me. Dutch didn’t give details, but he said his boss said I’m out of it until the situation is resolved.”

That sucked. “I’m so sorry, Christian,” she breathed.

“Not your fault,” Christian said. “I just don’t like Dutch going at it alone.”

“He’s been a lone wolf his whole life,” Damian said.

“Plus, I’ve been keeping track of the investigation through various avenues, and there are no leads.

Not good ones. The first murder occurred months ago, and there’s nothing.

My guess is that it’ll take a while to break. Probably several more months.”

Christian stretched his neck. “Hopefully not more victims.”

Amka shivered. “Word’s gotten around about the deaths, so everyone knows to be careful. But the tourists don’t listen.”

“It’s just so odd that nobody can identify the victims,” Damian muttered. “Now that we know Steve killed Eli Warner, all of the victims are unidentified again.”

The front door opened with a jingle that was too cheerful for the mood inside.

Wyland Friday walked in first, his boots dragging slightly. His gray hair was fuzzy around his head, and his whiskers rampant across his worn face. Sheldon followed, a white-paper-wrapped bouquet in his hand.

Amka stood without thinking. Her body didn’t want to move quickly, but she made it work. She approached them both. “Our kitchen is out, but I could get you both a drink if you’d like.”

Wyland awkwardly patted her shoulder with his beefy hand. “We just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay.” The old guy’s eyes softened. “Maybe you should take a vacation?”

It wasn’t a horrible idea, but her problems would still be there when she returned.

Sheldon smiled, looking nice today in dark jeans and a blue sweater that brought out his eyes.

He’d combed his hair back, too. “The explosion was bad enough, but it’s all around town about the influencer jerk who tried to kill you.

I thought you could use something better to focus on. ” He held out the flowers.

Amka blinked. “You brought me flowers.”

“Yeah.” Sheldon cleared his throat. “I figured nobody else would. Thought it might help.”

She stepped forward, took the bouquet from his hands, and gave a small nod. “Thank you.”

Sheldon smiled. “You bet. I’m hoping when you feel better we could take in a movie? There has to be a good one coming to town soon.”

She was saved from answering when Daisy came over and took the flowers. “I’ll get water.”

Amka turned back toward the table. “Thank you for checking on me. Are you sure I can’t get you a drink?”

Wyland hunched his shoulders in his black flannel shirt.

“No, thanks. We’ve got inventory to do. If you need us, you call.

” He nodded at the Osprey brothers and then shuffled to the door.

It seemed like people aged during the Alaskan winters and showed it in the spring.

Amka should probably take Wyland soup during the colder days once her kitchen was back up and running.

Sheldon hesitated. “We’ll talk soon. Call if you need anything.” He turned just as Helene Stanford walked inside, rolling a small suitcase.

“Oh, good. You’re all here.” She reached into a wide bag over her arm and brought out two envelopes, one for Amka and the other for Wyland.

“Northside Insurance has preliminarily denied your insurance claim upon the belief that either Amka Amaruq or Jarod Teller planted the device that caused the storage building fire.” She shuffled the bag onto her shoulder.

“I’m headed back to Anchorage. If Jarod Teller decides to show up for an interview, you have my contact information. ”

Wyland looked down at the envelope. “Where is Jarod?”

Amka shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m so sorry about this, Wyland. I promise we didn’t destroy that building.”

Wyland opened the door and walked outside.

Sheldon’s face turned a motley red. “Find that idiot, would you? The insurance money is ours.” He followed his father outside.

“Come eat your soup,” Daisy ordered, carrying the flowers in a mason jar back to place in the center of the table.

“Listen to your lawyer.” She paused, taking the envelope.

“I know Nixi left the hospital, and I thought we’d hear from her.

” She pulled her phone out of her back pocket to show to Amka.

“Her entire account has been deleted. Gone. I can’t even find one picture of her on here. ”

Now that was impressive. “Maybe she just wanted to go off-grid.” Amka wasn’t going to blow her cover. Or whatever she was doing. Although, man, she was curious.

“I guess.” Daisy pushed her wild hair away from her face.

“Before I forget, as your attorney, I received notice of a pretrial conference in a week. We’ll meet tomorrow and I’ll tell you the steps.

Plus, I have copies of your business documents and last will and testament.

” She nudged Amka into the chair. “Eat your soup.” She turned and headed back to the bar.

“Will?” Christian asked.

Amka shrugged. “Figured I needed one.” She picked up her spoon and sampled the soup. It tasted better this time.

“Nothing is going to happen to you. Period,” Christian said.

Damian’s phone buzzed, and he read the screen.

“Finally. I have the ME’s report on Jarod’s autopsy.

” He scrolled for a moment. “Jarod was shot. Single gunshot wound to the head, close range. Entry just above the right brow. No exit wound. The bullet lodged in the rear cranial cavity. The medical examiner said it’s still intact and was removed for ballistics.

They haven’t matched it to a weapon yet. ”

Amka’s pulse kicked. She didn’t say anything.

“He was still in the driver’s seat,” Damian added. “He had defensive injuries from scratches and contusions. There was a struggle. From what they can tell, it was quick, and he died right there. His body wasn’t moved.”

Christian’s mouth was a hard line. “Murder weapon?”

“Small caliber. They’ll know more after testing, but it wasn’t something heavy. Point-blank, no hesitation.”

Amka gripped the edge of the table. “So someone got in the truck with him.”

“Looks that way.”

Christian slowly worked through the evidence. “And Amka’s house?”

“They found no evidence of an altercation of any type inside the house,” Damian said. “The forensics cleared it. If Jarod was ever in there, it was just him and whatever personal effects were left behind. Nothing ties the murder to your house, Amka.”

She breathed out, but it didn’t help. “So he died in his truck, in my driveway.” The strongest urge overtook her, and for once, she didn’t fight it. She stood, moved in front of Christian, and dropped onto his lap, needing safety. The feeling of protection.

Surprise flashed across his rugged face for the briefest of seconds. He frowned but cradled her, shifting her into a more comfortable position.

She could see Damian grin from the corner of her eye.

Sure, Christian might need some taking care of, but not like she’d thought.

Everybody needed tending. He seemed to look out for everyone around him, and she hadn’t seen that.

Now she did. Giving in to all of her feelings, she leaned up and kissed him beneath the ear.

He stiffened.

She grinned. Couldn’t help it. Maybe he would fight her on getting serious. Or dating. Or whatever the kids were calling it these days.

He tugged back her head to look into her eyes. “Does anybody know you created a will?”

What an odd question. “I don’t know. It wasn’t a huge secret.” Although she hadn’t wanted Jarod to know. “Why?”

Christian studied her face for a moment. “The storage building. What was the arrangement with it before you drafted a will?”

She scrunched up her face. “Oh. Huh. Wyland and I had an informal agreement that if one of us sold or died or something, that the other would get the building. Real estate hasn’t been worth much here until just recently. I’m sure he has a will now, too. Maybe?”

Christian stood suddenly, placing her back in his very warm chair. “Stay here with Damian. I’m going to talk to Wyland.” He strode across the room and opened the door just as Brock and the two Alaska state troopers walked in.

“We need to talk,” Brock said.

“Later.” Christian moved past him and out into the spring day.

Jeb removed his trooper hat and shook his head. “He gets odder every day.” He turned and zeroed in on Amka. “We’re here to investigate the second bombing of one of your properties, Ms. Amaruq.”

Just wonderful.