Prime Catch (4 page)

Amos nodded.

“We’ll leave in a few minutes. I have to refuel. You can get into the passenger seat.” He indicated the front of the airplane.

Amos climbed in as the station manager and pilot wheeled the fuel tank out and hooked up the hose. He was looking forward to getting back to Juneau and comparing notes with Sarah.
Hell, you want to see Sarah again. You hate being away from her. That’s the reason you asked her to be a deputy, but you’re too scared to give in to your feelings for her.
He cursed himself. He needed to be a confirmed bachelor, because it hurt too much when someone he loved died. A family could be a serious complication to a lawman. He needed to be single-minded.

The pilot climbed in, the station manager gave the propeller a quick turn, and the engine sputtered to life. They picked up speed along the field until the plane soared into the blue. The hour and a half to Soldotna was taken up with the different puzzle pieces Amos had discovered on this trip. Maybe it was a good idea to have Sarah keep her ears open at the Juneau camp, just in case.

The meeting with the sheriff in Soldotna produced the same results, with an envelope emblazoned with a number two in the same handwriting. Amos gave him the lowdown on what had happened in Juneau. “How was the man killed here?”

The sheriff checked his coroner’s notes. “Looks like his morning cup of coffee was tainted with rat poison. These people seem to have various ways of getting their point across.”

Amos nodded. “Keep me informed on how the investigation is going here, and I’ll do the same.”

After leaving the sheriff’s office, Amos walked to the little airfield. “When is the next flight to Juneau?”

The field manager checked his list. “There’s a plane going out at ten in the morning.”

“Good. I’ll be here. Is there a place nearby where I can stay?”

The man made a motion toward an old wooden structure south of the field. “That’s where a lot of the pilots spend the night.”

Amos’s lip curled as he came up on the rickety porch that protested when he trod on the boards. His room reeked of old sweat and cigars. He couldn’t wait to get out of there in the morning.

After a tough two-day flight, the familiar sight of Mt. Juneau came comfortably into view. The snow on the top glowed pink with the late afternoon sun.
Home.
Amos couldn’t wait to have a decent dinner at Millie’s and crawl into his own bed.

God, it’s good to be back in Juneau! I tend to forget how primitive other parts of the territory can be.
Millie’s was a welcome warm glow to the soul as he strolled in from the gray blanket of sea fog slowly clutching the city in its damp grip. Millie looked up and grinned. “Welcome home, Sheriff!”

“What’s good tonight?”

She pulled her pencil from behind her ear. “The chicken is very good. Can I get you some with mashed potatoes and peas?”

“Plenty of gravy on those potatoes, Millie.”

“Yes, I know.” She hurried to the kitchen.

When she served his dinner, he stopped her. “Anything going on in town?”

“Nothing big.” She pursed her lips. “But I did hear there was a bit of a disagreement at the ANB social Saturday. It concerned Sarah.”

Amos was instantly alert. “What happened?”

“Well, I happened to hear about Jack Harper talking to Sarah. Seems he and Bobby Cusnoo were discussing the problems with the fish traps while they were taking a breath outside, and Sarah showed up. Bobby asked her to tell how the investigation was going. She refused, and he shoved past her. Jack apologized for Bobby’s rudeness.”

Anger started to bubble, and Amos ground his teeth. “Thanks for letting me know, Millie.”

She patted his shoulder. “Relax, Sarah is fine. Enjoy your meal.” She started on her rounds of the tables.

For some reason, Amos’ mind was finding ways of dismembering Bobby Cusnoo. Then his brain hit a slot.
Why was Bobby so interested in the investigation? Is he involved somehow?
Amos was sure Sarah must have thought of that, too.

Amos finished his meal and had started toward his apartment over the drugstore when he had a fleeting thought of visiting Sarah.
No. That can wait until tomorrow.
When he came to the stairwell door between the two retail stores on the street level, Amos took the steps two at a time to his apartment, where he pulled out the folder of the information on the murder, spread it out on his bed, and pored over it until exhaustion dealt him senseless.

Amos greeted Sam the next morning as he arrived early. “Have Lakat come in as soon as she gets here. Any news about Personals from anywhere else?”

“No, sir. Did your trip go well?”

Amos nodded. “At least we know it’s the same person writing the notes.” He went into his office and stirred the embers in the potbellied stove, adding some kindling. When the branches caught, he put some stove wood in and gingerly closed the iron door, adjusting the damper. After he fetched water from the back, he started the coffee.

As the smell of the fresh brew wafted out, there was a knock and a call at his office door. “It’s Sarah!”

“Come in, Lakat!” His breath caught for a moment. Amos was happier to see her than he let on. He wanted to embrace her, but he caught himself up short. She could have gotten herself killed. “Sit, and I’ll show you what I found as soon as you explain what in the Sam Hill you were doing at the social. I told you just to keep your ears open.”

Sarah sighed, pouring some coffee into her mug. She sat across from Amos. “I knew both Jack and Bobby. I thought they would talk freely with me, so instead of someone catching me eavesdropping, I thought I’d do this aboveboard.” She stopped and glanced at him accusingly. “You must have had dinner at Millie’s last night. Every story in town seems to end up there.”

“Anything else happen?”

Sarah pursed her lips. “Yes. After Jack and Bobby went inside, I was grabbed from behind by a man whose voice I didn’t recognize.” She went on to tell what happened.

Amos rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Call off the dogs, eh? Are you sure Bobby didn’t go around the building?”

“This man was taller than Bobby. I looked to see if there was anyone inside like that, but I didn’t see any stranger. From what I heard of the conversation, I think we should look at some of the villages upstream, too. What did you find out?”

Amos told her and showed her what he’d come up with on the trip.

“So we do know that it’s one man.”

“Well, the one that’s writing the notes is. I’m sure with an operation this complex there’s more involved.”

“Maybe he has allies in the plant.”

Amos nodded. “I have a feeling someone was watching Thornton’s habits from the inside. Does Bobby work at Polar Star?”

Sarah hesitated. “I can find out. Do you think he had something to do with it?”

“He seemed upset you didn’t give him information. There has to be a reason why.”

“I know his sister. She works at Millie’s. I’ll go now.” Sarah set down her mug and prepared to sweep out.

“Lakat?”

“Yes, Amos?”

“Be careful.” She looked at him strangely, then left.

Amos cursed himself.
She’s an experienced deputy. Of course she’ll be careful.
It was getting harder to keep his feelings for her under the surface.

Chapter 7

Sarah held her jacket closed against the gray fog that saturated her hair. It was good to have Amos back.
I seem to feel more confident when he’s around.
She was aware of her chest tightening when she thought of him.
No. I can’t get that deeply involved. He’s my boss.

Sally Cusnoo was working the counter, so Sarah slid onto the cushioned yellow oilcloth stool and greeted her. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

Sally smiled. “Hello, Sarah! I have to refill the coffeepot. I’ll be right with you.”

Sarah had gone to school with Sally and hoped that friendship was still there. Sally brought a cup of coffee and set it in front of Sarah. “You need anything to eat?”

“No, thank you. I need to ask you something.”

“Sure. What?”

Sarah blew on the coffee and took a sip. “Where is your brother Bobby working now?”

“He works at Polar Star. Why?”

Sarah thought fast. “I was wondering if he spoke to you about the murder. We’re trying to get as much information as we can.”

She shook her head. “He just told me what was in the paper. I guess he didn’t see anything. Why don’t you ask him?”

“He didn’t seem that sociable to me when I saw him last.”

Sally chewed on her lip. “I know he’s upset that the law is looking to blame a native.”

Sarah sighed and rose. She drew a nickel out of her pocket and placed it by the coffee. “We have to check everyone. Thank you, Sally.”

Back at the office, Sarah told Amos what she’d found out.

“Well, you did find out he works there. We can keep that in mind.” Amos sat back in his chair. “Now, we wait for any of the traps we’ve set up to spring.”

Later that day, a courier came in with a telegram. Sarah watched from her desk as he disappeared into Amos’ office. Sam glanced at her. “Wonder if one of the departments found something?”

Sarah shrugged. “I’ll guess we’ll know in a few minutes.”

When the courier reappeared, Amos was right behind him. “Lakat, come in here.”

Sarah hurried in and sat across from Amos. “What did you get?”

He showed her the telegram. “It’s from Mike Mahoney of Cordova. He got word from a relative in Sitka that a suspicious Personal was posted in their newspaper similar to the ones we have. He said since we’re closer, we should alert the law there and help investigate it. He’ll come down to help, if anything happens.”

“When do you want to leave?”

“We can take a rented flight from the airfield. Go home and pack clothes for a few days’ stay, and I’ll arrange for a plane and pilot. I’ll pick you up at your house in an hour.”

“I’ll be waiting!” she shot back, closing the door behind her. Sarah rushed to her small house, only three blocks from the station, and grabbed a bag. Forty-five minutes later, packed and with the house closed down, she waited for the patrol car as she sat in a rocker on her porch, her bag at her feet.

The auto pulled to the side of the street in front of the house, and Amos swung her bag into the back with his as Sarah climbed into the passenger seat. “Any trouble getting a plane?” she ventured.

“Not when you tell them it’s business. We’re off when we get there.” He concentrated on the winding road to the airfield. When they arrived, there was a little transport plane warming up and a young pilot waving to them.

Amos parked the patrol car near the airfield’s office and carried his bag and Sarah’s to the young man. “Lakat, this is our pilot, Bill Wright. Bill, this is my deputy, Sarah Lakat.”

Sarah held out her hand to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed pilot. “Nice to meet you.”

Bill acknowledged her and took their bags to store in a compartment of the plane. He waved them to the back. “There’s seats back there for passengers. You can strap yourselves in, and we’ll be off in five minutes.”

The seats proved to be little more than cushioned metal frames bolted to the floor. Sarah and Amos found the ends of the safety belts that would hold them in the contraption. Finally, the craft started bumping along the grassy field. Sarah swallowed hard and closed her eyes. This was the first time she had flown, but she knew this was the fastest way to get to Sitka, so she didn’t tell Amos.

About ten minutes into the flight, Sarah heard, “Lakat, are you all right?”

She hesitated a moment. “Yes. Why do you ask?” She opened her eyes and peered at Amos.

Amos tugged at his mustache with an amused glint. “You’re as pale as death. Is this the first time you’ve flown?”

“Yes. But I can take it.”

Amos broke out into a grin. “Swell. I hope I don’t have nursemaid duty when we get to Sitka.”

She gave him an evil-eyed glare. “You won’t. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll handle this myself.” She closed her eyes again and rested her head against the metal bulkhead just as the little plane gave a jerk. Amos snorted as she rubbed the bump on the back of her head. “Not a word, Sheriff.” She glared at him.

They arrived at Sitka without further incident, and the plane bumped along the grassy airfield there. When the craft stopped, Amos undid his safety belt and moved to help Sarah.

She felt like her stomach was still up in the air, but she gathered her dignity about her as a shield. “I can handle my own belt, thank you!” To her dismay, as she rose her knees promptly buckled, and Amos caught her. It was disconcerting to have his arms around her, and an unwanted tingling went through her body. “I’m all right now.”

Amos hesitated. “You sure?”

She pressed her lips together. “I’m sure. You can let go of me now.” Willing her legs to hold her up, she straightened her clothing. “Come on.”

Bill had their bags off the plane and waiting at the bottom of the steps. When they exited the plane, he held out his hand to Amos. “I hope the trip was smooth enough.”

Amos nodded as he shook Bill’s hand. “It went swell. I’ll wire when we’re ready to come back.”

“Good. I’ll see you then.” Bill turned and tipped his cap to Sarah. “Miss Lakat.”

“Thank you, Bill.”

Bill climbed back into the plane, and Sarah saw Amos loading their bags into a Ford truck, assisted by a burly man in a khaki jacket. She hurried over as Amos turned.

“Sarah, this is Sheriff Ray Tunny of Sitka. Ray, this is my deputy, Sarah Lakat.”

Ray Tunny regarded her without speaking. “Your deputy is a woman Eskimo?”

The hairs on the back of Sarah’s neck prickled. She held out her hand. “Yes, I am a woman deputy, but I’m a Tlingit.”

He ignored the hand. “Get in the truck. I’ll drive to the hotel. We can speak during dinner.” He directed the information to Amos.

Sarah glanced at Amos. He blew out a breath and shrugged. “Come on.” He helped Sarah into the truck cab and slid in beside her. She ended up sandwiched between them, and it was mighty silent on the way. They stopped by the Seaside Hotel, and Tunny pulled the brake back.