Walleye Junction

by Karin Salvalaggio

  Emma set the paper aside. Now that Kyle’s family’s involvement had made the news, Kyle would be viewed with suspicion everywhere he went. Emma pictured Kyle standing over the man in the parking lot with blood dripping from his nose. In the near darkness Emma hadn’t seen everything clearly, but it was obvious that Kyle had nearly beaten the man senseless. If Kyle was recognized from the photo in the newspaper, the man might file a complaint against Kyle for using excessive force. Emma looked up the phone number for the bar she’d gone to the previous evening. It rang several times before she was redirected to the manager’s voice mail. She hesitated before speaking. It wasn’t like her to get involved in other people’s business.

  “Hello,” she said, feeling increasingly awkward. “My name is Emma Long and I’m calling about the incident that occurred in the parking lot outside your restaurant yesterday evening. I’m afraid one of your guests had too much to drink and followed me outside. He tried to stop me getting in my car. I just want to say how grateful I am that you had a security guard patrolling the area. I also wanted to make it absolutely clear that the security guard acted responsibly. If he needs someone to vouch for him I’m quite happy to make a formal statement.”

  Emma left her cell phone number and hung up. She was already having regrets about getting involved. Nathan had said that Kyle had just been doing his job. He’d accuse Emma of overthinking things like she’d always done. Emma checked her phone. She hadn’t had any new text messages from Nathan, but it was still early. They’d once cared for each other deeply. The affection may have been gone, but the connection was still there. It made her sad to think that after all these years they’d only managed to retain the ability to do each other harm.

  Emma put her father’s coat on over her pajamas and wandered out into the backyard with a bag of peanuts for the crows and a cup of coffee for herself. The crows cawed and circled, some so bold they practically pecked at her bare feet. She dumped the remainder of the peanuts on the ground as she made her way to the back fence where she sipped her coffee and stared at the roofline of Caleb Winfrey’s home. She still had the keys her mother gave her. Nothing was stopping her from going over to take a look. She’d been told that Caleb had burned everything Lucy owned, but Emma was hopeful there might still be something in the house that would help make sense of the night Lucy died. She just wasn’t ready to go over and find out what it was yet. Emma tossed the dregs of her coffee on the ground and headed back inside her mother’s home. She needed to clear her head. She hung up her father’s coat and went upstairs to change into her running gear.

  * * *

  Emma didn’t hit her stride until she was two miles south of Walleye Junction. The wide gravel road followed the slow curve of the Flathead River. The banks were dotted with boulders, cottonwoods, and clumps of crimson and yellow wildflowers. A row of fishermen, spaced at varying intervals, wore hip waders and stood in cold water casting their lines. Their cars were parked along the hard shoulder near a popular trailhead. She jogged in place as she looked over the notices posted on the sign. She and her parents had often hiked the trails together. They’d have picnics up above the tree line. As she set off running again a springer spaniel, soaked through with river water, raced up to greet her. In its excitement it nearly tripped her up. Its owner whistled and the dog turned tail and ran back down to the riverbank.

  A half mile on Emma stopped to admire the view. From her raised position she could just see the outline of her hometown. Directly across the river from where she stood a new subdivision had sprung up in the middle of a hay field. Rows of colorful flags flew over model homes and empty streets. Tall fences flanked small patches of lawn, and slabs of slick concrete foundations mirrored the midday sun. Walleye Junction’s only high school was closer to town. The large gymnasium’s brilliant blue roof and the surrounding playing fields were visible, but the classroom blocks, library, and administration buildings were hidden behind a dense wall of pine trees. The nursery, elementary, and middle schools were on adjacent pieces of land and further up the hill a long tree-lined drive led to the municipal cemetery she’d visited the night before. In a matter of miles you could be safely transported from cradle to grave. Emma checked the time. If she was going to get there and back she needed to be on her way. She set out again, once more relaxing into her stride.

  A car came along the road and fell in behind her. She took a quick glance over her shoulder. Blinding sunshine bounced off the windshield and front hood. She couldn’t see the car or the driver properly. She waved the car around, but it stayed on her tail. The track was wide and well paved, but the drop down to the river was sheer. She couldn’t move any closer to the side, but there was still plenty of space for a vehicle to pass. She increased her pace up an incline. The rumble of the vehicle’s engine and the pounding of her heart were all she could hear. She was growing anxious. All sorts of possibilities circled in her head. None of them were good.

  Emma spotted an opening in the trees and veered to the right. The vehicle sped by as she headed down the steep slope toward the river. The terrain was uneven and she had to hold on to low tree branches for support. Insects swarmed around her. There was a sharp bite as a horsefly stung her inner thigh. By the time she reached the river’s edge she was hot, sticky, and in tears. She checked the road. The car was gone. Thinking there’d be safety in numbers, she headed upstream toward the men she’d seen fishing. She picked her way across boulders and traversed fallen trees. She found a narrow animal track and scrambled along it until it opened up onto the rocky shore she’d been looking for. The dog that had chased her was lazing in a patch of sunshine. As she stepped into the light, its ears pricked up. A man with his back to her was kneeling down as he dug something out of a tackle box. He turned as the dog ran over to greet Emma. He smiled and waved. Emma blinked into the sun’s glare. She didn’t recognize him. He pulled off his hat and smiled again.

  “Kyle?” she said.

  He rose to his full height. “Emma, what are you doing down here?”

  She glanced up at the road. Other than a haze of dust there was no sign of the vehicle that had followed her. The dog was at their feet, circling like a satellite.

  “I was running,” she said.

  Kyle touched her arm. “You’re shaking. Are you okay?”

  Emma started crying again. She pointed to the road.

  “Someone was following me in a car.”

  Kyle watched the empty road for a few seconds.

  “Are you sure?”

  “As sure as I can be.”

  Kyle looked as if he was about to say something but stopped.

  “Kyle?” asked Emma. “Did you see something?”

  He scratched his head. “Emma, I saw Nathan go by a few minutes ago. Could it have been him?”

  She shook her head. “The sun was in my eyes. I can’t say. Did you see anyone aside from Nathan?”

  “No, I’m sorry. Did you guys have a falling out last night?”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t explain why he might have followed me.”

  “Even by his standards it would be pretty low to scare you like that.” He closed the tackle box. “I’ll give you a ride home.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I want to.”

  They walked to the road together. He’d removed his hip waders and slung them over his shoulder. His pickup truck was parked in the shade near the trailhead. He threw his gear in the back.

  “Drink this,” he ordered, handing her a bottle of juice he’d fished out of a cooler. “You look faint.”

  Emma thanked him. He opened the door for her and she climbed inside. It smelled brand new.

  “Nice car.”

  He blushed. “I just bought it.”

  “Security must pay well.”

  “It’s been a good year so far, so I got a nice performance bonus.”

  “What did you mean when you said that Nathan’s standards were pretty low?”

  “It was nothing.�
�

  “Tell me.”

  “There are things you don’t know about Nathan. Stuff that came out after you left town.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “It was just rumors, but given what happened to Lucy maybe there was something to them. People were saying he was dealing drugs … that maybe he and Lucy were working together.”

  “That’s nonsense. I would have known.”

  “Did you know what Lucy was getting up to?”

  Emma hesitated. “I knew she was doing drugs. I didn’t know she was dealing.”

  “The amount of drugs available around here didn’t drop after Lucy died. If anything there were even more going around.”

  “I’ll talk to Nathan,” said Emma. “I need to ask if he was following me this morning anyway.”

  “I don’t want any trouble,” said Kyle. “Don’t tell him I’m the one you spoke to.”

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll keep your name out of it.”

  Emma waited until they were on their way before mentioning the newspaper article.

  He winced. “I’d been warned so I knew it was coming.”

  “If it’s any consolation, your mother was pretty convincing. Lloyd Spencer comes off looking like a bully.”

  “I had my doubts about letting her talk to the reporter, but I think she managed it well. It should help ease people’s minds about the rest of the family.”

  “Did you take today off work?”

  “I thought I might hide by the river with my fishing pole until it blows over.”

  “You might be by the river for a while.”

  “Then I’ll catch lots of fish.”

  “It’s nice that you still have a sense of humor.”

  “The company helps,” said Kyle. “How are you doing otherwise? Last night was pretty intense.”

  “It was the last thing I needed. It’s probably why I freaked out about that car. There’s only so much more I can take. Anyway, I’m glad I ran into you. I wanted to thank you again for looking after me yesterday. I was worried that you’d gotten into trouble. You roughed up that guy pretty badly.”

  “It wasn’t a problem. I went in and explained what happened. He admitted what he’d done and they kicked him out.” Kyle shrugged. “No big deal.”

  Emma was cold. Goose bumps had formed along her arms.

  Kyle kept his eyes on the road. “What did you and Nathan get up to after you left?”

  “We talked. It wasn’t pleasant.”

  “So, you’re not getting back together?”

  “I find it hard to believe he ever thought it was a possibility.”

  Kyle pulled up in front of her mother’s home. Emma’s red hatchback was the only car in the driveway. She checked the time. It would be a few hours before her mother returned.

  “Come in for a coffee,” she said. “You’ve gone out of your way. It’s the least I can do.”

  “I don’t think your mother would be too happy to find me sitting in her kitchen.”

  “She won’t be back for a few hours.” Emma laid her hand on his arm. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You shouldn’t have to hide.”

  He switched off the engine and removed his sunglasses. His eyes were tinged black and blue and his nose was slightly swollen.

  “Oh,” said Emma, touching him lightly on the cheek. “That looks bad.”

  “It’s a little sore, that’s all.”

  He took hold of her hand, and they sat quietly for a few seconds.

  “Are you sure your mother won’t be back for a couple of hours?”

  “I’m sure,” she said, slipping from his grasp. She looked back at him before opening the door. “Come in for a coffee. I don’t feel like being alone.”

  15

  Macy snatched a bag of potato chips off Gina’s desk and paced the office, trailing crumbs in her wake. It was coming up on one o’clock and the police station was nearly empty. Lou was still at Dr. Whitaker’s clinic and Gina had gone with some officers down to the homeless camp to interview anyone who may have come across Joel Edwards. On her third lap around the office Macy stopped at her desk. She needed to speak to Francine Long again. There was a high volume of painkillers coming out of Dr. Whitaker’s practice so there was a possibility that he’d been acting more like a dealer than a doctor. Francine had worked for him for thirty-four years. She couldn’t have been completely oblivious to what was going on. It was also possible that she confided in her husband.

  * * *

  Kyle and Emma stepped out onto the porch at the same time Macy was parking the car in front of Francine Long’s house. Emma was dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, and Kyle was wearing fishing gear. Macy checked the car’s mirrors. The street appeared to be empty. She grabbed her bag and opened the door. Given his aunt and uncle’s involvement in her father’s murder, Kyle Miller was the last person Macy expected to see with Emma Long.

  Neither Kyle nor Emma waved as Macy walked up the driveway. Emma leaned in and said something to Kyle. Macy thought she may have said be brave. Kyle smiled slightly.

  “Detective Greeley,” said Emma, holding out her hand. “You’ve met Kyle Miller.”

  “I have,” said Macy, noticing that Emma’s hair was wet. “Emma, I need to speak to your mother again. Do you know when she’ll be home?”

  “I’m expecting her anytime now.” Emma tilted her head to the front door. “We just heard the news about what happened at Dr. Whitaker’s Clinic. Do you think he’s going to be okay?”

  “He’s in the ICU. The prognosis is very good.”

  Emma looked relieved. “They’re saying it was the same man who’d tried to rob him for drugs on a previous occasion. You’d think they’d have more security.”

  Macy noticed Kyle seemed to be a little uncomfortable. He kept glancing up the road toward town, probably fearful that he’d see Francine’s car.

  “The world would be a very sad place if doctor’s offices started needed security guards,” said Macy. “Kyle, I know you get asked this a half dozen times a day by someone at the Walleye PD, but have you heard anything at all from your cousin Sean? We really need him to come forward. The longer he stays away the more guilty he looks.”

  “It’s really upsetting for me too,” said Kyle. “I don’t understand what’s got into Sean. I’ve sent him a dozen texts begging him to come home, but so far I’ve heard nothing.”

  They all looked up as a car passed by the house.

  “I best be going,” said Kyle. He turned to Emma. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “I’m the one who should be thanking you for the ride home,” Emma said.

  “Anytime,” he said, shaking Macy’s hand once more before moving away from the front porch.

  The sunlight caught his face. Macy noticed bruising around his nose and eyes.

  “Looks like you’ve got quite a shiner there,” said Macy.

  Kyle cracked a smile as he headed toward a new pickup truck that was parked along the road.

  “Entirely my fault,” he said. “I accidently ran into a drunk guy’s elbow.”

  * * *

  Emma and Macy sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee while they waited for Francine’s return. The back door was open and a fresh breeze blew through the house. A wet bath towel hung on the back of one of the kitchen chairs. The remnants of what looked like breakfast for two were stacked next to the sink. Kyle had not only given Emma a ride home, it appeared that he’d stayed in the house while she showered and then sat down for breakfast with her. Macy wanted to ask why Kyle had been in the house but knew when to keep her mouth shut. Kyle wasn’t a suspect. Emma’s private life was her own business.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” said Emma.

  Emma had a cup of coffee in one hand and a smartphone in the other. Macy was pretty sure this was her standard pose. Macy picked up her own cup and took a sip.

  “I’m in no position to judge other people’s choices,” said Macy.

  Emma cra
cked a smile. “You think we’re seeing each other.”

  “It crossed my mind.”

  “We’re not. We’re just friends.”

  “I’m just telling you how I saw it. How other people will see it.”

  “Two people can talk,” said Emma. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

  Macy wasn’t sure where this conversation was going. For some reason Emma felt compelled to explain the situation to Macy, when she really should have been talking to Kyle. There was something about Kyle’s demeanor that made Macy think that he might be interested in being more than friends with Emma. He’d tried to hide it, but he’d been hanging on her every word and gesture.

  “Like I said,” said Macy. “I’m in no position to judge, but I saw how Kyle was looking at you. You may only see him as a friend, but I’d guess his feelings are stronger.”

  The front door opened and Francine bustled into the kitchen. She went straight to her daughter, holding her tight in a long hug.

  “It’s over sweetheart,” said Francine. “The man who died at Peter’s office was wanted in connection to the investigation.”

  Emma glanced over at Macy. “Is this true?”

  Macy frowned. She’d hoped Joel Edwards’s name would stay out of the public domain for a little longer, but as Francine was once employed at the doctor’s office, it wasn’t surprising that she’d been told the news already. Macy chose her words carefully.

  “Joel Edwards was wanted for questioning because he was a convicted felon who’d become friendly with Carla Spencer in drug rehab. He’d not checked in with his parole officer in the two weeks since your father was kidnapped. As of yet there’s no physical evidence to link him to your father’s murder.”

  Francine put her purse on the table and took off her jacket. Her cheeks were flushed. It almost looked as if she’d been running.

  “Everyone was saying that he was the third kidnapper,” said Francine.

  “I’d like this to be over too,” said Macy. “But we have to make sure we get this right.”

  Macy apologized to Francine for coming to see her without making an appointment.

  “There have been a few developments,” said Macy. “I thought it best that we speak again.”