Stone drove up to the front security gate of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and showed his badge to the guard. “Can you tell me how to get to the base commander’s office?”
The guard took out a piece of paper and scribbled on it before handing it over to Stone. It was a map with two large X’s marked in red. “You are here.” He pointed to one X. “And you want to end up there.” He hit X number two.
“Thank you.” Stone handed the map to Annie.
Stone and Annie arrived outside the colonel’s office and were greeted by a gentleman behind a desk.
“We’re here to see Colonel Greer,” Stone said.
“I’m sorry, but he can’t see anyone today.”
Stone flashed his badge clipped to his belt. “We just need to ask him a few questions.”
“Let me see if he’ll see you.” The man picked up the landline and dialed. “Sir, I have a couple of policemen here to see you. They claim they have some questions. Yes, sir.” The man hung up. “The colonel is at home today, but says to send you around.” He made a makeshift map and handed it to Stone.
“Thank you.” Stone looked over the map before he left in case he had any questions. It appeared simple enough, so he and Annie headed to their vehicle.
The moment they pulled in front of the house, the front door opened. An impressive looking man in his fifties, wearing a fisher knit sweater and jeans waited for them on the porch. His hands were sunk deep into his pants front pockets.
“Let’s make this fast, I’m watching the game with my family. What can I do for you?”
“Yes, sir, we appreciate you seeing us.” Stone made the introductions and whipped out the sketch. “Does this man resemble one of your soldiers?”
The colonel stared at the picture a moment. “It could be First Sergeant Allen Amundson.”
“How old is the sergeant?” Annie asked.
“Despite the baby face, he’s actually in his late thirties.”
“What’s his job here on base?” Annie said.
“He teaches mountain and glacier warfare as well as rescue techniques. He’s more than competent, and his students love him. This man is not only highly decorated and well respected, but I’m lucky enough to call him friend. So tell me what the hell this is all about?” the colonel said in a stern voice.
Stone jumped in. “We just have some questions for him, sir.” Colonel Greer crossed his arms. “Never bullshit a bullshitter, son. That’s double talk for he’s a wanted man. Trust me, whatever the charge, he didn’t do it.”
Annie stepped in front of Stone. “He may have witnessed a crime, but not know it. That’s why we’re seeking him out. Another witness remembered him walking by and gave us a sketch. He was wearing fatigues. If you could just point us in the right direction, we won’t bother you anymore and you can get back to your family.” Colonel Greer mulled it over a moment. “He’s on R & R.”
“When did his leave begin?” Stone asked.
“Day before yesterday. I remember thinking it’s a good thing he got on the road before the big storm hit.”
“Do you know his plans by any chance, sir?” Annie asked meekly.
“He didn’t tell me,” he answered in a gruff voice.
“Please think, sir. It’s very important,” Annie pleaded with the sorriest looking expression. Stone didn’t think he could resist, he hoped the colonel felt the same.
“Well.” The colonel stared down at Annie. “I do know that he has family in Alaska. He mentioned growing up here, but I don’t know where.”
“Thank you, sir,” Stone said.
“Yes, thank you. You’ve been more than generous with your time.” Annie put out her hand to shake the colonel’s.
When they got back in the SUV, Annie took out her smart phone. “I’m going to call a friend to get us background on Amundson.”
“Okay.” He started the engine. “I’m going to move the vehicle in case we have eyes on us.”
“Hey, Tony, how’s it going?” Annie’s voice cut in. “Good, thanks. I really appreciated the flowers. Sorry I never got around to sending out thank you cards. I was in another orbit there for a time. You’re too kind. Anyway, the reason I’m calling is that I wondered if you could do me a favor.
“I’m working a case in Alaska and need everything you can come up with on a First Sergeant Allen Amundson. He’s in his late thirties and was born in Alaska. He may still have family here and we need to know where.” She was silent a beat.
“Yesterday? I know it’s asking a lot. Oh, sorry, I forgot. Sure, just as soon as you can. Thanks.”
Annie ended the call and glanced his way. “They’re four hours ahead of us. But the good news is he’ll probably be done before we wake.”
“I’ll take what we can get.” He pulled out the top page of the list that Kip made and handed it over to her. “I’d like to check out this gift shop. It sells raven statues similar to the ones the victims received. I know it’s a long shot, being a holiday and all, but since we’re so close to Anchorage.”
“We’ve got nothing to lose.”
Stone pulled up in front of Tutu’s Igloo, a house converted into a shop. Although the sign on the front door said closed, he noticed lights on upstairs.
“We’re in luck. I think the owner lives above the shop.”
Annie rang the bell and they waited. It wasn’t long before a chubby little Inuit woman answered the door. “I’m sorry, we’re closed today.”
Stone flashed his badge. “We just have a few questions. I promise we won’t be long.”
The woman took their measure and deliberated. In the end, she stepped back and let them enter. Stone immediately glanced around the shop, as did Annie.
“Tutu, Layla took another cookie.”
They turned toward the voice. A girl of about six was standing at the top of the stairs.
“Layla!” The woman yelled up to the second floor.
“You’ve had enough snicker doodles. Put it back.”
A small child of about three appeared next to her sister. “I can’t, Tutu, I already took a bite.” She held up the cookie for all to see. Sure enough, it had a big bite out of it. Tutu faced Stone and Annie with a big grin.
“It’s hard to discipline them when they’re so damned cute,” she whispered before she turned around. “Layla, put the cookie on the table, then go back and watch your program. I’ll deal with you in a minute.”
The little girl’s lower lip protruded and she disappeared. “As you can see, I have my grandbabies today while their parents are down at the Moose Tooth watching the game with friends.”
“We understand. We won’t take up too much of your time.” Annie held up the raven statue she’d snagged while the woman was dealing with her granddaughter. “We wanted to ask you about this.”
The woman took the bird in her hands and inspected it. “Beautiful craftsmanship, isn’t it? Ben Whitebear carves these out of wood, along with the other animals you see on that table.” She pointed to the spot Annie had just been.
“I noticed you have only one out, do you have more in stock?” Stone asked.
“I have a couple in the back, but if you need more, I’d have to place an order. This is intricate work and takes time.”
“Do you have many customers who make large orders? Say five or more at a time?” Annie said.
The woman gave Annie a queer look. “I do,” she said, slowly.
Stone got excited. “What can you tell us about these customers?”
“Well, one of my grandsons built a website for me about ten years ago, so I get orders online from the lower forty-eight.”
“Do you have a customer who orders them five at a time?” Annie asked.
“I have a couple. I think they have shops of their own in which they sell them.” Thundering feet and giggles could be heard from above. The woman stared at the ceiling. “The natives are getting restless. We’d better take this up to my apartment.”
“Thank you,” Annie said as she followed her up the stairs.
Stone came up behind the ladies and found himself in a comfy living room with an animated movie playing on the TV. Four children were running around a coffee table. Tutu clapped her hands twice and they stopped in their tracks.
“No running in the house. You’re all in a timeout.” She pointed to the couch with a fierce look. “I want you to sit there and be quiet until I tell you otherwise.” The children obeyed. She glanced at Stone and Annie. “Why don’t you have a seat at the table, I’ll search my records for those orders.” Her voice was back to a conversational tone.
Stone and Annie had a seat. A half-eaten cookie lay on a corner of the table surrounded by crumbs. Not wanting to talk because the kids could hear, he found himself watching a cartoon with a talking sponge.
After awhile, the kids started kicking the couch with their swinging feet. He understood the impulse, as he was getting restless himself. Finally, the woman returned. She glared at the children. “Be still.” The sound stopped.
Tutu joined them at the table. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” She placed several pages in front of them. “Here are my multiple orders. Those are your copies.”
He and Annie huddled together to read them. Stone pointed out the orders for five at a time. The woman was right, most were for other shops except one. A Thomas Finkle placed an order every June and had it sent to a PO Box in Anchorage. “Do you know how this person paid?”
The woman glanced at the page and opened the folder in front of her. “Money order.”
“Is that unusual?” Annie asked.
“Actually, yes. Most people want to keep records of their purchases, but money is money.” Tutu shrugged. “His money orders always clear the bank, so who am I to judge?”
“Do you make copies of the money orders before you deposit them?” Stone asked.
“I do.” She started to get up, but stopped midway. “You know, I always wondered why that man didn’t just come in and pick up the package himself. It would have saved him on the cost of shipping.” With that she left the room.
Stone glanced at Annie. “Good question.”