out of the tracking business,” said Ray. “Between software and GPS, pretty soon no one will need eyes on the ground.”
“Oh, I doubt that,” said Gina. Then she slapped the table with both hands. “Enough about me, enough about my work. Tell me what’s happening in Loon Lake these days.”
• • •
Ten minutes later, having brought Gina up to date on miscreant hunters bagging too many ducks, over-served bar patrons and the investigation into the death of Nolan Reece, Lew sat back in her chair and exhaled. “We better call it an evening, folks. I have the Wausau boys arriving early tomorrow morning and a mountain of phone calls to make — starting with the people who were at that dinner party last night.”
“Would you like me to follow up with Frances and Josie Dark Sky?” said Osborne. “I know the girls. Not well but they were patients of mine.”
“That would be a huge help,” said Lew. “But I’d like to sit in. I’m still wondering how they fit in the picture, aren’t you?”
“Well, just before Karen offered to serve their Thanksgiving dinner at her own home — this was while you were walking Andy Reece through the lockdown of his property — Blue mentioned to me that her mother had worked out an arrangement with Mildred.”
“Mind if I ask who you’re talking about?” said Gina. “Sorry to butt in. My reporter instincts — I’m always nosy.”
Osborne turned to Gina. “Mildred Taggert is an elderly woman who owns a small local grocery and has been the girls’ foster parent for the last four years. Apparently Nolan took it upon herself to sponsor the girls — offer them a second family, provide financial support, buy clothes, pay for tutors — even college. According to Blue, the girls spend their weekends at the Reece home but live with Mildred during the week.”
“Those sisters don’t really look like sisters, do they,” said Lew. “Frances is so tall and ungainly and that Josie is so petite.”
A trill rang through the room and Lew jumped. “Oh, shoot, that’s my cell phone. Has to be the switchboard. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious. I need some sleep.”
As Lew disappeared into the other room, Ray put an arm around Gina’s shoulders. “I’ll bet you didn’t know that Saturday is the last day of muskie season. Think you’d have time to join me in the boat? Get one more day on the water before it freezes over?”
Before Gina could answer, Lew charged into the room, pulling on her uniform jacket. Eyes dark with worry, she motioned to Osborne to grab his own coat. “It’s Mildred Taggert. A trucker stopping by for cigarettes just found her unconscious in the parking lot. An ambulance is on its way. Doc, follow me.” “What about the girls? Are they okay?” said Osborne. “Yes, according to neighbors at the scene. They may have been asleep before but they’re certainly awake now.”
“Well, Lew, if an ambulance is called is there really a need for you — ”
“The guy who called 911 said she’s bleeding badly from the head. He thinks she may have fallen and hit her head or who knows? She could have been robbed. Either way, I have to go.”
“Right behind you,” said Osborne. “Me, too,” said Ray. “Gina, I’ll drop you off first.” “Are you kidding? You’ll drop me off after we see what the story is.”
CHAPTER 14
As Osborne and Lew drove their cars into the parking lot behind Mildred’s Food Shop, an SUV emblazoned with the insignia of the county sheriff pulled in behind and parked between Lew’s cruiser and the ambulance from Saint Mary’s Hospital. “We got your call for assistance, Chief Ferris,” said a young deputy sheriff as he jumped from his car and ran towards Lew.
“Appreciate it. Not sure what we got here yet,” Osborne heard her say as he opened his car door and reached into the back seat for the medical bag that he was now happy he’d forgotten to drop off at his house earlier.
Lit by the headlights from four
“Oh, I doubt that,” said Gina. Then she slapped the table with both hands. “Enough about me, enough about my work. Tell me what’s happening in Loon Lake these days.”
• • •
Ten minutes later, having brought Gina up to date on miscreant hunters bagging too many ducks, over-served bar patrons and the investigation into the death of Nolan Reece, Lew sat back in her chair and exhaled. “We better call it an evening, folks. I have the Wausau boys arriving early tomorrow morning and a mountain of phone calls to make — starting with the people who were at that dinner party last night.”
“Would you like me to follow up with Frances and Josie Dark Sky?” said Osborne. “I know the girls. Not well but they were patients of mine.”
“That would be a huge help,” said Lew. “But I’d like to sit in. I’m still wondering how they fit in the picture, aren’t you?”
“Well, just before Karen offered to serve their Thanksgiving dinner at her own home — this was while you were walking Andy Reece through the lockdown of his property — Blue mentioned to me that her mother had worked out an arrangement with Mildred.”
“Mind if I ask who you’re talking about?” said Gina. “Sorry to butt in. My reporter instincts — I’m always nosy.”
Osborne turned to Gina. “Mildred Taggert is an elderly woman who owns a small local grocery and has been the girls’ foster parent for the last four years. Apparently Nolan took it upon herself to sponsor the girls — offer them a second family, provide financial support, buy clothes, pay for tutors — even college. According to Blue, the girls spend their weekends at the Reece home but live with Mildred during the week.”
“Those sisters don’t really look like sisters, do they,” said Lew. “Frances is so tall and ungainly and that Josie is so petite.”
A trill rang through the room and Lew jumped. “Oh, shoot, that’s my cell phone. Has to be the switchboard. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious. I need some sleep.”
As Lew disappeared into the other room, Ray put an arm around Gina’s shoulders. “I’ll bet you didn’t know that Saturday is the last day of muskie season. Think you’d have time to join me in the boat? Get one more day on the water before it freezes over?”
Before Gina could answer, Lew charged into the room, pulling on her uniform jacket. Eyes dark with worry, she motioned to Osborne to grab his own coat. “It’s Mildred Taggert. A trucker stopping by for cigarettes just found her unconscious in the parking lot. An ambulance is on its way. Doc, follow me.” “What about the girls? Are they okay?” said Osborne. “Yes, according to neighbors at the scene. They may have been asleep before but they’re certainly awake now.”
“Well, Lew, if an ambulance is called is there really a need for you — ”
“The guy who called 911 said she’s bleeding badly from the head. He thinks she may have fallen and hit her head or who knows? She could have been robbed. Either way, I have to go.”
“Right behind you,” said Osborne. “Me, too,” said Ray. “Gina, I’ll drop you off first.” “Are you kidding? You’ll drop me off after we see what the story is.”
CHAPTER 14
As Osborne and Lew drove their cars into the parking lot behind Mildred’s Food Shop, an SUV emblazoned with the insignia of the county sheriff pulled in behind and parked between Lew’s cruiser and the ambulance from Saint Mary’s Hospital. “We got your call for assistance, Chief Ferris,” said a young deputy sheriff as he jumped from his car and ran towards Lew.
“Appreciate it. Not sure what we got here yet,” Osborne heard her say as he opened his car door and reached into the back seat for the medical bag that he was now happy he’d forgotten to drop off at his house earlier.
Lit by the headlights from four
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