Closing Time

by Brenda Chapman

  She wanted to follow them inside but knew that he was right. The window of time before the entire structure was on fire was over. The men might already be too late to make it back out alive. She wouldn’t risk it now. Not now. Taiku was huddled against her, growling and whimpering. She crouched down and wrapped her arms around his neck. The heat and smoke were blinding and her eyes burned with grit and ash. They were too far from the lake to carry buckets of water. Their only hope was that Blaine had roused Searchmont’s volunteer fire brigade and they’d arrive before the forest caught fire.

  “Look!” Ian shouted over the fire’s roar. “They made it out.”

  Kala squinted toward where she’d seen the men go inside the burning building and recognized their dark shapes against the wall of flame. Ian signalled for her to stay, but he raced forward into the suffocating furnace heat. She watched until he met up with Shane and Neal who were half-carrying, half-dragging one of the women between them out of the smoke and heat. Kala ordered Taiku to stay and ran over to help. Neal and Shane dropped back and let Ian pick up the unconscious woman. He carried her at a run through the bushes to a clearing at the side of the road. Kala grabbed on to Neal who was struggling to stand and guided him after the others, calling for Taiku to heel.

  Ian lowered the woman onto the sodden ground. Kala couldn’t tell whether it was Petra or Martha because of the black smoke and ash coating her clothes and hair. Kala dropped down next to the woman and checked for vital signs, careful not to put pressure on her burned flesh. A sulphurous smell emanated from the woman’s hair and her burnt skin smelled like charcoal. Her breathing was raspy and laboured, and Kala knew they didn’t have much time. She looked up the road in the unlikely hope that she’d see the lights of an approaching emergency vehicle through the mist and tendrils of fog rising from the roadway. Ian was still next to her. She asked, “Can you watch her while I check on the others?”

  He nodded and she moved over to Neal and Shane, Taiku following close at her heels. Neal was holding his stomach, bent over and vomiting into bushes, but he shook off her offer to help. She waited until he staggered back and found a spot to sit before going to Shane who was closer to the road. The intensity of the fire lit up the shadows and heated the air even this far away from the lodge. Both men were filthy with black smoke, their clothes charred. It would have been a miracle if they hadn’t suffered any burns. Shane’s hands were already blistering and he held them stretched out in front of him.

  “We couldn’t find them both.” He moaned and dropped into a sitting position on the ground with his head between his knees, his arms resting on his legs so that his hands were in the air. “It’s a bloody inferno.”

  She crouched next to him. “Did you rescue Petra or Martha?”

  “Don’t know.” Shane hunched over and coughed while Kala steadied his back. “She’s burnt so bad.”

  A siren sounded far off in the distance from the direction of Searchmont but gained in volume as they waited, while the fire consumed what was left of the main lodge. Kala closed her eyes and thanked Blaine for rousing help so quickly. She tried to centre herself so that she could face the long night ahead. When she opened her eyes, she looked toward the lodge. Every room was ablaze in orange flame with reams of black smoke rolling thickly across the last remains of the roof and into the night sky. If anybody was left inside they’d never make it out alive.

  “I don’t know which one I want her to be,” Shane said, as if there’d been no break in their conversation. “Either way, both their lives are over.”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Kala was officially off the case as soon as the officers arrived from the Sault detachment, but they requested that she accompany them to the station anyway after the ambulance pulled away with sirens blaring. She refused to leave Taiku behind, and they agreed that he should join her in the back of the squad car. Normally she’d have preferred to drive her own truck but she was past arguing with anybody. Her energy gauge was riding close to empty.

  Clark arrived sometime after she was settled with a cup of tea, giving her version of events to an officer with a tape recorder. He pulled up a chair and listened as she told of their search for Petra and Martha and the ensuing fire at the main lodge. The officer signed off when she finished talking and left them alone in the room. Taiku was sound asleep under the table.

  “There was no sign of the second woman?” Clark asked Kala.

  “No, but she didn’t get out alive. The two of them were together and the fire spread so quickly — like a fireball. I’m guessing Martha lit the cooking grease and the wood building went up like a torch. We couldn’t identify the woman they pulled out. It could be either Petra or Martha.”

  “I checked the hospital in the Soo where the ambulance took her. She’s being flown to the burn unit in Toronto. Still unconscious. We have a cadaver dog coming from Sudbury to go through the remains of the building.”

  Kala knew the answer but asked anyway. “Phil Bocock hasn’t confessed to murder?”

  “No, he strenuously denies being the killer of anybody, and I gotta say, I believe him despite my earlier suspicions. Greta tempered her anger somewhat and said he’s too much of a spineless wimp to kill anyone. Faraday’s photos that you collected certainly give someone at the lodge a motive. You said that you believe Martha Lorring murdered Rachel and Faraday?”

  “I do.”

  “Lay out your reasoning.”

  “Petra had Martha convinced that Neal was having an affair with Rachel. Their marriage was in trouble because Martha had miscarried a few times and was fixated on getting pregnant. Neal shared that much. She had a fling with Petra this summer in one of the guest cabins. Neal found out and he wanted out of their marriage. Martha was desperate to get him back and she thought Rachel was a threat. As for Faraday, I believe he was blackmailing Martha with photos of her having sex with Petra, and she saw him as another threat to Pine Hollow Lodge. Rachel appears to have been Faraday’s accomplice, although we’ll never know that for certain. Can you imagine what would have happened to their business if the photos went online? This town would have shunned them. People like Rachel’s mother would have waged war.”

  “Petra would have lost a lot, too.”

  “Not really. She and Shane have an open marriage, and he knew about her and Martha already. He’d been willing to overlook all her other affairs in any event. He had no vested interest in the lodge and they’d be moving on after this summer.”

  “I gather you’ve eliminated Neal as well.”

  “I suspected him, to be honest, but he certainly didn’t force anyone into the restaurant and set the place on fire. He and Shane were with me.”

  Clark stared at her with a regretful smile on his face. “I don’t like it when we haven’t got concrete evidence to back up theories, but this time we might be shit out of luck.”

  “You still have forensics, and the woman might recover enough to talk.”

  “Maybe. One can dream.” He slapped his thighs and stood up. “I can’t thank you enough for all your help. If you’re ever looking for a new challenge …”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” She stood and reached out a hand. He held it in both of his.

  “You take care of yourself, Stonechild, and be sure to look me up next time you’re passing through.”

  “You can count on it. Have fun with that new baby.”

  His expression brightened. “Sleepless nights ahead, but I won’t complain.”

  “Did you ever think about not becoming parents? I mean, the responsibility and lifestyle change could be hard on you and your marriage.” She knew it was an odd question, and he studied her before answering.

  “Those are considerations, but as soon as I saw our son, none of that mattered anymore. You’ll feel the same if the time ever comes that you have a kid.”

  “I have one. Dawn, remember?” She spotted an officer standing in the hall waiting for Clark to finish up. “You’re wanted.”

  “Goi
ng to be a busy day. Safe travels, Stonechild. Don’t be a stranger.” He looked at her as if he wanted to say something more, but she waved him toward the door and said, “I hate long, soppy goodbyes. Get on your way, Officer Harrison, before your exit turns downright maudlin.”

  Kala woke up disoriented. Light was shining full bore into the living room where she lay sleeping on the couch with Taiku stretched out on the floor next to her. She glanced at the wall clock in the kitchen. She’d slept five hours since the officer dropped her off at Pine Hollow Lodge at 10:00 a.m. The police had been working the scene of the fire, but she’d stayed away, her involvement thankfully no longer required. She sat up and rubbed the back of her head where a low throb threatened to derail what was left of the day. Taiku was on his feet, his chin resting on her leg, his liquid brown eyes staring up at her.

  “All right, boy. I’ll get moving.” She scratched behind his ears.

  She stood too quickly and a wave of nausea and dizziness made her sit back down. When she’d arrived back at the cabin midmorning, she’d planned to shower, pack up her stuff, and hit the road, but exhaustion had taken over and she’d closed her eyes for a minute … or so she’d thought. Now the day was getting away from her, and she had no intention of being unwell and stuck here for the night. She breathed deeply until she felt better and stood again, but this time slowly. She took a five-minute shower and threw on yoga pants and a T-shirt in preparation for a long drive. While bread toasted and water boiled for tea, she fed Taiku and cleaned out the fridge. She ate the toast as she worked and let the tea steep in a travel mug. It took another ten minutes to throw her clothes and toiletries into a bag, and she was ready to hit the road. She checked her watch. Quarter to four. Lots of daylight left.

  When she stepped outside, Taiku bounded ahead of her toward the lake. She called to him before she saw Jordan rise to his feet from where he’d been sitting on the rocks. He walked toward her and she met him halfway, remembering other times when they’d been together and he’d waited for her to get off shift.

  “Hell of a night at Pine Hollow Lodge,” he said, reaching her. Taiku was jumping excitedly around him, tail wagging at top speed. Jordan laughed and gave Taiku’s head another rub before straightening and looking at her. “I’ve been sitting here for a few hours waiting for you to wake up and come outside. How are you?”

  The sun was warm on her face, but she smelled the stench of the burned building in the air. She could hear people talking through the woods and realized that Forensics was still sifting through the building’s remains. “I’m good,” she said. “Eager to get out of here.”

  “Me too. I’m all set to head home, and I’m hoping you’ll come with me.” He grabbed on to her hand. “I want you to come to Thunder Bay. Make a life together.”

  And here it is, she thought. The moment of truth. She’d known without him having initiated anything since their paths crossed that this moment would come. They knew each other too well.

  “Walk with me,” she said, squeezing his hand before letting go, and he fell into step with her as they started up the incline toward the cabin where she’d left her bags. He took the heaviest one, and she thanked him as she’d have had difficulty juggling her mug of tea with the rest of her gear. They didn’t speak and she took this moment to weigh what going west with him would mean.

  The part of her that still cared for him felt his pull. They had a lot in common. Same love of the outdoors. Same easiness with each other that meant times together were good — very good. The sex had been both exciting and comfortable. She’d taken a long time to get over not waking up next to him. He was a loyal man who understood her and didn’t judge. She knew that she could easily fall into life with him again. That made her next words bittersweet.

  “I can’t go with you, Jordan, much as I’d like to. I have commitments in Kingston, but please know that I wouldn’t trade those few years with you for anything. Much as I feel the attraction to those memories and to you, I can’t go back.”

  They’d reached her truck and turned to face each other. He was standing very close. Too close. His eyes warmed her even as she was telling him that she wouldn’t be going with him. He opened his arms and she stepped into them, resting her head against his.

  “I’m still in love with you, Kala Stonechild. Can I say or do anything to change your mind?”

  She rested for a moment against the familiar warmth of him before pulling herself away. She had to risk hurting him or he’d keep hoping. “I’ve got somebody waiting for me at home. I need to give him and me a chance. I love him.”

  “And if it doesn’t work out …?”

  “You have to forget about me,” she said gently before turning and opening her truck door. Taiku leapt inside and settled on the passenger seat. She slung her bags into the back and leaned against the door, giving in to one last look at the man she was letting go. They stared at each other for a long moment before she climbed into the cab and slammed the door.

  He was still standing with his hands in his pockets watching her truck drive away when she took one last glance in the rear-view mirror. She knew he was hoping that she’d stop the truck and turn around, but it was better this way. The first cut is the deepest. Taiku seemed to sense her sadness. He whined and got as close to her as he could. She reached over and rested her hand on his head while she blinked away the blurriness in her eyes.

  “I’m all right, boy,” she said. “I just need a minute.”

  Because if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s leave people behind and never look back.

  She focused her gaze on the dome of blue sky over the treeline. A hawk swooped and soared above a pine tree before disappearing from view. She rolled down the windows and let fresh air into the cab. Taiku moved away from her and stuck his nose out to catch the breeze. Kala looked back at the road and thought about the long drive ahead of them. She reached over and turned on the radio. Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind” filled the silence, his deep voice rich in melodic regret for a love affair gone wrong. She smiled at the unexpected irony and glanced at Taiku as she turned up the volume. “Some fitting travel music to see us on our way, old boy. Let’s hope the sad songs end and the rock and roll kicks in long before we reach Kingston.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Dawn was in the kitchen helping Henri with the dishes, leaving Gundersund and Rouleau to sit with their crystal tumblers of Scotch on the balcony overlooking Kingston harbour.

  “Nice night,” said Rouleau, gazing out at the sprinkle of lights surrounding the shoreline casting long shafts of light on the black water. He drank from the glass and tried to find the peace that had eluded him since he’d returned from his trip to Searchmont. A battle had raged inside him on how much to tell Gundersund about Stonechild and the man from her past who’d occupied her time. So far, he’d quelled the side that wanted to warn Gundersund that she might not be coming home. Tonight, he wasn’t sure that he needed to say anything. Gundersund’s dark silence spoke volumes.

  “Thanks for the dinner invitation,” said Gundersund. “Dawn has a connection to your father, and he has a steady hand that she trusts.”

  “Dad’s fond of her, too. They’re good company for each other.”

  Gundersund kept his eyes focused on a boat’s approaching lights. “Any regrets about Marci?”

  “I miss her, but no, no regrets. She’s a journalist first and foremost and always will be. My life’s in Kingston.”

  “We can’t change them.” Gundersund’s voice was resigned. “I thought that in staying here and letting Stonechild get whatever is bothering her out of her system, that she’d return and we could get on with things. Now I wonder if I should have chased after her. Made the grand gesture.” He glanced at Rouleau and back at the water. “Some people aren’t capable of settling into a relationship.”

  “She’s had a tough life.”

  “It’s why I can’t blame her for doing what she has to do.”

  A
fter Dawn and Gundersund left and Henri joined him on the balcony with his own glass of Scotch, Rouleau again wondered if he should have warned Gundersund about the man from Stonechild’s past.

  Henri sipped on his drink, then asked, “Mulling something over, son?”

  “Only thinking how messy life can be. You belive you have the future under control and someone throws a wrench into the mix.”

  “Ah, the best-laid plans. Are we talking about Marci?”

  “No, I never had a future planned with her. Our relationship was centred on the present, and that suited us both. I’m more concerned with Stonechild and whether or not she’ll ever find what she’s looking for. She’s never known stability. Gundersund wants to give her that, but she’s torn between two worlds.”

  “Some people don’t do well with commitment, especially if they’ve never had a secure home life.”

  “The odd thing is that I believe she wants a life with Gundersund, but she has this need to be off on her own. He’s tried to be patient but he thinks he’s lost her. I’m not certain that he hasn’t.”

  Henri was silent. He took another sip of Scotch and stretched out his legs. When Rouleau thought it might be time to go inside and call it a night, his father stirred. “Kala is committed to Dawn and Rose. She won’t desert them. Gundersund may believe he’s lost her, but I’ve seen the two of them together and they have a bond. She’s also mighty fond of you and the team. She’ll find her way back, son.”

  “I hope you’re right, Dad. She feels like the daughter I’d liked to have had.”

  “And that makes her my granddaughter.” Henri patted Rouleau on the leg. “Trust that Kala wants her family as much as we want her here — trust that she’ll find her way back to us, where she belongs.”

  Gundersund heard Dawn walking back and forth to the bathroom from where he sat on the couch checking emails with Minny snoozing at his feet. After three or four trips there was silence upstairs, and he imagined her in bed reading as she did every night before going to sleep. She’d been roaming the house in the early morning hours since their return from Joliette but hadn’t wanted to open up to him about what was bothering her. He had a good idea anyway, since the same problems were keeping him awake.