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Hawke’s stomach was twisting and gurgling from hunger. Before heading up to the lake, he pulled into a parking spot in front of the Pizza Oven and went inside. It was after school and the three pinball machines toward the back had a dozen middle school kids laughing and being loud.
He didn’t have anything against kids having a good time, but he really wasn’t in the mood for their boisterous attitudes. He started to turn around and leave when the owner’s wife saw him.
“Trooper, here for an early dinner?” She placed a menu on the table next to him.
He slid into the seat with his back to the door, but his eyes on the mob of middle schoolers. “I’ll have iced tea and a personal size Canadian bacon.”
“That will be right out.” She disappeared into the kitchen and before he could get his coat off, she was back with his iced tea.
“Did you ever catch up with Thomas?” she asked.
“Yes. I did.” Her comment reminded him he had a phone call to make.
She walked away as he pulled his phone out. He called the D.A.’s office.
“Wallowa County District Attorney’s Office, this is Terri.”
“Terri, this is Hawke. Is Thomas in his office?”
“No, he isn’t. Do you want his cell phone number?”
“Yes. And we found Ms. Wallen.”
There was a hesitation and she asked, “Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Thank goodness!” She rattled off the investigator’s phone number. “I’ll let Mr. Lange know the good news.”
He disconnected and dialed the number Terri gave him.
The phone rang several times before Ball answered. “Ball, state your business.”
It wasn’t the first time, Hawke wondered at the man’s competence to be an investigator for the D.A.’s Office. “It’s Trooper Hawke. We found Ms. Wallen. She’s frost bit and battered, but alive.”
“That’s good news.” The man who had appeared to have a thing for the woman didn’t say it with as much gusto as the receptionist had. “Where?”
“That’s police business for the time being.”
The waitress returned with his pizza. “Thank you,” he mouthed to her.
“What do you mean police business? Didn’t you get the jerk who had her?”
“No. She was all alone. You wouldn’t happen to have copies of the investigation she was doing into the district attorney’s accident forty years ago?” It was a long shot to think he might have some of the information that was stolen.
“I might. I’ll have to dig around in my emails. Why?”
“The person who abducted her stole all of her files, including her computer.” He wasn’t sure it was a good idea to tell Ball all of this, but he couldn’t see any connection between him and Price.
“I’ll see what I can do.” He disconnected.
The abrupt end to the call had Hawke wondering what the man was up to.
«»«»«»
It was dark by the time Hawke finished his pizza and drove the length of the lake to the Roller Rink. The huge building boasted two wide stairways to a porch that ran the length of the building. Square logs formed the walls and many large windows allowed light to enter. The Edelweiss Inn looked every bit of its one hundred plus years. It was built as a dance hall and later became an event center and roller rink.
Hawke watched his step as he climbed the stairs to the porch. Each one creaked and groaned under his weight. Even crossing the porch to shine his flashlight through a window, he winced at each creak and crack of the wood.
Shining the beam of light around the open space inside, he didn’t see anything that looked disturbed. He had a feeling Price was headed home. He had all the incriminating evidence against him, until the D.A. started his own inquiry. And if the man were headed home, his vehicle had an all points out on it, which meant he’d be picked up.
He eased off the porch of the old building and his phone buzzed.
Dani.
“Hello,” he answered.
“Are you off duty yet?” she asked.
“I can be but I’m up at the Lake. Which means I can’t get out of my uniform until I get home.” He was ready for an early night, but if the woman suggested meeting somewhere, he wouldn’t turn down a chance to get to know her better.
“Sage and Kitree flew out with me today. Tuck and Ty brought all the horses out yesterday. Thought we might get together and celebrate a successful season.”
He laughed. “A successful season for you.”
“Well, I feel like celebrating and wanted you there.”
The wistfulness in her voice had him at war with himself. He wanted to be with her, but he didn’t want her to think he was marriage material. Maybe this would be a good time to let her know where he stood in the commitment stage of a relationship.
“I can head home, shower and change, and meet you at the Blue Elk in Winslow at...” he glanced at his watch. “Seven-thirty.”
“That works for me. See you there.”
He shoved his phone in his holster and started up his vehicle. Visiting and eating with Dani was what he needed after the last few days. Maybe with his brain otherwise engaged, he’d have some enlightenment about the case.
«»«»«»
Dani was sitting at a tall table when Hawke walked into the Blue Elk. She had her hands wrapped around what looked like a tall, clear, mug of tea. He liked that she didn’t appear to be drinking since she’d have to drive back to Eagle after they ate and the roads were starting to ice up.
“You look tired,” she said when he sat down across from her.
“It’s been a busy few weeks.”
The waitress came over.
“I’ll have a cup of coffee,” he said and picked up the menu. It had been a while since he’d had a meal in the place.
Dani pointed to the blue elk hanging above the bar with its own spotlight. “Was that there when they named the place or did they name the place and paint the elk?”
“I’m not sure. It’s been here ever since I started working in the county.” Hawke had never really thought about which came first the blue elk or the name.
The waitress returned and they ordered.
Leaning back in his seat, Hawke studied Dani. “You look good. When you said you wanted to celebrate a good season, I took that to mean you exceeded your expectations of guests?”
“It means that I not only was able to pay for all the food and supplies and pay my help, but I banked a small amount that I can use to purchase a couple new horses. Tuck says there are a couple that shouldn’t go back up next spring.”
“That is good news.” He held up his coffee cup.
She clinked her tea cup against it.
“What do you plan to do with all your spare time this winter? I know last winter you were looking for employees.” He sipped his coffee.
“I’m thinking about flying over to the tri-cities one week a month to give helicopter lessons.”
“That’s a good use of your expertise.” He liked the idea of her keeping busy. Now that she had his number and it didn’t seem to bother her to call him, he was glad she would be occupied.
She studied him. “You’re glad I’m going to be busy.”
He had to admit she was the most perceptive woman he’d come across. “You read me too well.”
“I get you’re a permanent bachelor. I’m not trying to tie you up in anything. I don’t have many friends, and I’d like to think you are one.” She sipped her tea and studied him over the rim.
Her words helped loosen him up. “Thank you. I was wondering how to start this conversation.” He peered into her eyes. If there was ever a woman he’d contemplate giving up his bachelor life for, it would be her.
She raised her hand and the waitress arrived. “We’ll have two of whatever beer you have on draft.”
Hawke raised an eyebrow. “I thought we weren’t drinking?”
“You can’t toast to friendship with coffee and tea.” She pushed her tea to the center of the table as the waitress returned with the two glasses of beer.
Hawke grasped one, and they toasted to friendship. He sipped the brew and knew he’d only drink half the glass.
Dani ran the tip of her finger around the edge of her glass, staring at the liquid inside. “I had a nice conversation with Justine the last time I was in town.”
He took a swallow of beer and asked, “Are you two wondering why I only want to be friends?”
“That, and we decided to start a Hawke friendship club.” She looked up, merriment shining in her green eyes.
“Very funny.” He leaned back as the waitress delivered their food.
Once they’d added condiments to their burgers and started to eat, Hawke opened his mouth and told her about his failed attempt at marriage.
“Really? She ditched you for her drug selling brother?” The anger in Dani’s eyes washed away some of the pain he’d felt every single day since his wife had made her brother the priority over her husband.
“I guess the saying ‘blood is thicker than water’ is true.” He took a bite of his burger.
“No ‘stupidity is hereditary’ is more like it.”
A deep belly laugh launched his bite onto his plate. He laughed and for the first time, realized he’d been holding onto the disappointment to help him justify being single and not letting another woman into his life.
“Hey, you almost spit that onto my plate,” Dani said, smiling and pointing at the chewed-up food on his plate. “You might want to wipe your mouth.” She pointed to his napkin by his plate.
Man, he liked this woman. She didn’t get squeamish over anything. He had a feeling having her for a friend was going to lighten his life.
They finished eating and parted by nine. Dani driving off toward Eagle, and he headed to the Trembley’s.
There was something about today’s events that kept nagging at his brain. But he wasn’t sure what it was. He arrived home, tucked the horses in with their grain, and slipped into bed.
Dog curled up in his bed, and Hawke turned off the light. He lay there thinking about his dinner with Dani and her comment, stupidity is hereditary.
He sat straight up. There was only one person he could think of who would be helping Price. He knew for a fact it wasn’t his sister. It had to be his nephew.
Hawke glanced at the clock. It was after ten. Did he dare call that late? Probably not a good idea. He wrote a note on his phone and tagged it to buzz him at seven in the morning. That would be early enough to call and ask Sarah a question.