Cut to the Bone by Joan Boswell Page B

lips curling upwards and his eyes sparkling.
    â€œThe murder had nothing to do with me, but something has happened that involves and worries me,” she said.
    As she spoke she wondered if Mary’s disappearance was related to the murder. Perhaps the two events tied together in some way. It hadn’t occurred to her until now, but if that was the case, maybe she should give up searching for Mary and pass the problem to Rhona.
    Willem shrugged off his caramel leather bomber jacket. “It may be May but it’s cold out there tonight. I’m afraid to ask what else has happened. From your expression when you mentioned it, I don’t think I’m going to like whatever you tell me.”
    They moved into the living room. While Hollis, wrestling with the idea that there might be a connection, marshalled her thoughts and decided how to present her conundrum, she pointed to the end of the room. “I’m still working on the giraffe and I’m pleased with him.” She was marking time. She had to tell him about Crystal and Mary.
    â€œIs he winking? He’s very appealing. But this isn’t the time to consider him. It’s true confession time. Tell me everything.” Willem stood, feet slightly apart and body braced as if he expected a blow. He would have looked at home on a sailing ship facing into the wind as he dealt with a storm.
    â€œI have a small problem, and I thought you might have an idea how I should deal with it,” Hollis said.
    Willem scrutinized her face. “I’m nervous when you talk about a small problem. I have vivid and painful memories of the last time we worked on one of your small problems.” He folded his arms over his chest and maintained his stance. “Shoot.”
    Hollis longed to sit down, snuggle close to him, and tell her story without looking at him. Instead she too remained standing.
    â€œDo you remember meeting Crystal Montour, Jay’s friend who lives upstairs on the second floor?”
    Willem nodded. “Pretty girl. Aboriginal, I think.”
    â€œRight. Well, she lives with her aunt, Mary Montour, who has disappeared.”
    â€œDisappeared? Is this connected to the murder? When did it happen?”
    â€œI’m pretty sure it’s a coincidence. Crystal was with us after school. We had dinner and all went to dog training. When we got back her apartment door was unlocked and her aunt was gone. Two women who live with them weren’t there either. When I calmed Crystal down, we went up. There was no indication that anything untoward had happened.”
    Willem frowned.
    â€œWhen we came downstairs Mary had left a short phone message asking me to care for Crystal until she came back.”
    â€œThis story has a déjà vu ring to it,” Willem said. “Why would she do that? Do you have halfway reasonable explanation? This makes me nervous. You have a talent for mixing yourself up in heavy stuff.”
    Hollis nodded. “I know. I wish I wasn’t involved but I have to find Mary for Crystal’s sake. If I report this the authorities won’t allow Crystal to stay with me. Who knows where they’ll place her. The really odd thing is that although Crystal is terribly upset, she won’t give me the information I need in order to help.”
    Willem took her hand and pulled her toward the sofa. “Let’s sit down.”
    Hollis shifted away from him and perched at the end of the sofa. She couldn’t allow herself to cuddle, to be distracted before she described the situation. She wanted his opinion.
    â€œWhat do you mean? What won’t Crystal tell you?”
    Hollis frowned. She needed a minute to decide how to tell her story. “I’m not being much of a hostess. Did I offer you a beer? I’d like a glass of wine.” She shifted forward ready to stand up.
    Willem unfolded himself. “I’ll do the honours. But be aware that I know this is a diversionary