Page 74 of The Girl from Devil's Lake

“Glad everyone’s okay,” Kristin said. She was talking about members of the department, but something in the expression on Joanna’s face must have given her pause. “Except for Marliss, that is,” she added. “What happened to her is terrible.”

“Yes,” Joanna agreed with a nod. “It certainly is. Now, what’s happened here while I’ve been gone?”

“It’s been pretty hectic,” Kristin said. “I’ve been checking your office email. The arrest warrant from North Dakota came in just a little while ago, but with Roper already under arrest, I guess you don’t really need it.”

“I’ll be happy to serve it all the same,” Joanna said grimly. “And I have a feeling the North Dakota Highway Patrol isn’t the only law enforcement agency that’s going to want a piece of him. What else?”

“Garth and Deb were able to locate Marliss’s next of kin, her mother—Dianne Borison—in San Diego. Officers from San Diego PD will be doing the notification.”

“And?” Joanna prodded.

“Dave Hollicker is in charge of the CSI examination of the crime scene in Naco. Casey is going through items that were removed from Mr. Roper’s vehicle.”

“Like what?” Joanna asked.

“She mentioned something about a blue duffel bag and a cigar box, but I don’t know any details. You have several more calls from the BOLO. Those are here in your stack of missed calls. And Tom Hadlock wants to know if, with all those reporters outside, you want to hold the press conference or should he?”

“I’ll talk to him,” she said.

She walked to his office next door and entered without knocking.

“Tough day,” he said. It was a statement, not a question.

She sank into a nearby chair. “I’ll say,” she said.

“And Marliss is really dead?”

Joanna nodded.

“Sorry,” he said.

“Me, too,” she said, “but I’ll handle the press conference. Please schedule it for 6 p.m. Can you notify the usual suspects?”

“Will do,” Tom said, “but most of them are already here. Anything else?”

“Nope,” Joanna said. “That’ll do it.”

With that, Joanna returned to her office to call Butch and let him know she wouldn’t be home in time for dinner.

“Did you get him?” Butch asked as soon as he answered her call.

“We did,” Joanna answered. “He’s behind bars.”

“That’s great!” Butch exclaimed. “And Dennis was delighted to get out of school early, but you sound a little off. What’s wrong?”

Joanna loved the fact that he could see into her soul even when they were miles apart. She spent the next several minutes telling him about everything that had happened, including her encounter with Ignacio Ybarra.

“We were just dating at the time,” Butch said, “but I remember that case. It affected you almost as much as this one has.”

Joanna thought about that for a moment before agreeing with him. “You may be right about that.”

“And I’m right about this, too,” Butch added. “After today, you’re going to need some comfort food, so as of now I’m making green chili casserole. It’ll be warm in the oven regardless of what time you get home.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Love you.”

“Love you back.”

After leaving her office, Joanna’s first stop was the bullpen. Detective Howell was there. Detective Raymond wasn’t. “Where’s Garth?” she asked.