The color seeped from her face, and she wrapped her arms around herself.
“My God. You can’t be serious. I knew she was Nick’s niece, Lynette told everyone at the bowling alley.” She licked her lips. “I mentioned it to David. He said you used to have a crush on her. If someone turned down her bed, it wasn’t me.” She twisted her hands together. “How could he get into the cabin?” Her eyes were filled with fear, and she trembled.
“He probably picked the lock.” He wouldn’t mention that the man could have a skeleton key nor would he mention this to Alexis yet, but he’d have to tell Everett.
“Here comes Mia. We’ll talk about this later but promise me you won’t leave the inn alone. And please, keep all of the doors locked with the security chains on even when you’re here. Don’t say anything to Alexis. She’s spooked enough as it is.”
She nodded but frowned. “She has the right to know so that she can protect herself.”
Jake turned as the door opened, and rosy cheeked, Mia came inside.
“I will tell her, just not right now.”
“Jake,” Mia yelled, yanking off her boots and racing over to him, putting her arms up.
He picked her up. If anything happened to his niece, he would tear the Fire Angel apart.
Maya ran over to him. Why hadn’t the dog indicated there’d been someone else in the cottage? Normally, she would’ve been all over the place, sniffing and growling at a strange scent. That cottage hadn’t been used since September. The carpets had been cleaned. The only scents in there should’ve been familiar ones which meant the killer’s scent was one the little dog recognized.
Damn! He couldn’t keep this from her, but where to start? Because of the first note, Jake had made a list of all his employees, but most of them hadn’t been old enough when Alexis had lived there, and those who had been just didn’t seem to fit the profile. Now, he would have to add the names of those who came and went on a regular basis—names like Andrew. He’d left the dining room long before either he and Alexis had—long enough to get into her room and leave the note as well. Plus, the organic brand was his beer of choice. Damn. It looked more and more like his best friend might be behind all of this.
He’d seen the fear on his sister-in-law’s face, knew what it was like to have a traitor in their midst. The emotion was eating away at his gut right now. Had he done it again? Had he invited a viper into their nest? He had to keep Alexis, Mia, and Minette safe no matter what.
* * *
“And that’s the whole story, Captain. I guess I should have told you all of this when you gave me the assignment, but I didn’t expect to be recognized, nor did I anticipate everyone in town would know I was coming.”
“And how do you feel about the situation now?” he asked, his voice sounding tinny on her cellphone’s speaker.
“I’m not going to say he hasn’t made me nervous, but I’m more determined than ever to solve the case and take him down. He may think he can scare me away, but I won’t let him. I’m close. I know it.”
“Michaels, you’re the best I have, and I don’t think there is anyone else who could do this particular job. Do I like the fact that my best agent is in danger? No, but I won’t pull you out, at least not yet. As far as the rest of it goes, everyone has to go home sooner or later, and it’s not always a pleasant experience.”
“Yes, sir.” He was right. She needed to deal with the past once and for all.
“How has the profiler handled your talent?”
“I haven’t actually explained it to him yet. He’s an old friend and ... I’m going to tonight. I know things he has to know. I can only hope he’ll believe me. When I work alone, how I figure things out isn’t an issue,” she finished lamely.
“I know that, Alexis, but your ability is why you can do the job as well as you do. It’s unique, yes, but it isn’t something to be ashamed of. The sooner you get everything out there, the sooner you’ll be one step closer to the bastard. That full moon thing—you really think it’s critical?”
“I do. I don’t know why, but I do. Captain, this one’s harder to read than any of them.”
“Well, the sooner you figure him out, the better.”
“Yes, sir. I realize that.”
“Good girl! Now, go get this guy. Stay safe.”
Alexis ended the call. She looked at the clock, 5:55. Despite the monster pizza she’d eaten earlier, she was starving. Not surprising since she was a nervous eater, and this was the most anxious she’d been in years. Pushing the curtain aside, she was astonished to see the same bars she’d had on the cottage. She would ask Jake about them at dinner. In the meantime, she would appreciate how safe they made her feel. The lock for them was on the inside. Not even Dracula could get in here without help.
Leaving her room, she walked down the hall, past the door she knew led to the bathroom. There were two others—one had to be Jake and Minette’s bedroom, the other Mia’s. There was no point in crying over spilled milk. Pasting a smile on her face, she entered the main room.
Anticipating Christmas less than a month away, Minette had set the dining room table for four with festive placemats and fine white china. Everything gleamed. In the center of the table stood a miniature, gold spray-painted, macaroni Christmas tree.
“I made the decoration at school today,” Mia exclaimed with pride. “The teacher said it was the bestest one.”
“I’m sure it is,” Alexis answered. “It’s beautiful. I really like the snowflakes, too. We don’t have snow where I live.”
“You don’t!” the child exclaimed as if such a thing were sacrilegious. “How does Santa deliver the presents? Does he use a hepacopter instead of a sleigh?”
“Hepacopter?” Alexis frowned. “I’m not sure.”
“A helicopter,” Minette explained, smiling indulgently. “She has trouble with some words and has been known to invent others when necessary.”
“I can make you some snowflakes to take home, if you like,” the child offered. “I’m very good at it.”
“I can see that. They’re beautiful. I’ll hang them in my windows, too.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” Jake warned. “You could be going home with enough snowflakes to decorate all of San Francisco.”
She laughed. Judging by the number of snowflakes here, he could be right.
Sitting down to the pot roast dinner Minette served, Alexis decided now was as good a time as any for answers. They couldn’t talk about the case with Mia there anyway.
“I noticed the metal lattice on the windows in the cottage the other day and I see you have them here. I wondered why.”
Jake laughed. “It’s no secret. My parents bought the inn almost twenty years ago. When they did, they decided to add more cabins and expand the place. That first winter, they locked up most of the cottages, but didn’t realize how clever raccoons can be. Someone—Mom swears it was Dad and he claims it was her—had forgotten to check the locks on the windows and the slider bars in the tracks to keep them from opening. The animals are nimble-fingered and managed to tear the nylon screens and pushed open the sliders. They burrowed into the stuffing of the mattresses, chairs, and couches. When they opened the cabins that spring, they got a surprise. Many of them needed to be gutted.”
“Were they still full of little bandits?” she asked, imagining the mess.
“Some were. They hired a trapper—I think it was Frank’s father come to think of it. Your cousin James and his friends came to help. Once they were bandit-free, Dad redid the interiors and added the grillwork to ensure they couldn’t get in again. I thought about taking the grills off the cabins we use year-round, since the new windows don’t open that way, but since we’re a wilderness resort, most tourists seem to feel safer having them on once they know why they’re there in the first place.”
“And the little bandits would have a field day with the treats some people have in their cabins,” Minette said, reminding Alexis of the box of goodies on the shelf i
n her closet.
“I’ll bet. I get the munchies when I work late, so I’ve usually got junk food on hand,” she explained. “For some reason, I thought they hibernated.” Alexis shrugged. “I should’ve known better since they can be a problem at any time of the year in California, but it’s warmer there.”
Jake nodded. “True, but our guys have acclimatized. When you go out tomorrow, look up into the trees. You’ll see huge nests made of twigs and leaves up high where the strong branches meet the trunk; those are winter nests. Raccoons don’t hibernate, but their metabolism slows right down, and they sleep most of the winter. As long as there’s snow on the ground, you don’t see them. If we have a mild winter, they’ll come out and forage for food, and then climb back into their nests.”
“Maya doesn’t like them,” Mia piped up, joining the conversation. “When she sees one, she barks really loud.”
“I’ll bet she does,” Alexis agreed. Maybe having a dog was a better idea than she’d thought.
Minette stood and started to clear the table.
“Can I help with the dishes?” she asked, seeing Mia begin to carry the cutlery to the sink.
“Thank you for offering, but that’s Mia’s job. It’s how she pays for her art supplies.” She winked. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No. I’m full. It was a wonderful meal. You’re an excellent cook.”
“Minette looks after the inn’s kitchen, too,” Jake added, “which is why we do such a booming business now. Did I tell you I have to keep the lunches she makes me under lock and key?”
“No, but having tasted one, I can understand why.”
“I need to see someone in the lounge. Would you care to join me for coffee?” he asked.
From the look on his face, he obviously wanted her to go with him.
“That would be nice. Thanks again for dinner, Minette. Goodnight, Mia. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Chapter Seventeen
Brow furrowed, surprised to be leaving the apartment, Alexis followed Jake into the lounge across from the restaurant. The area was designed for utility and comfort. Couches and tables were arranged in conversational groupings. On the far wall, beside the large windows that overlooked the gorge, was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with novels and games as well as movies. Next to the shelving unit were sliding doors that led to a veranda that seemed to run the length of the inn and restaurant. It was probably a great place to sit and enjoy a cold beer during the summer months. Half a dozen people, some in traditional Temagami ribbon shirts others in embroidered skirts and blouses, sat on couches, chatting, or reading magazines and newspapers. In the corner, a gourmet coffee machine stood ready to provide anyone’s favorite brew.
“What will you have?” he asked.
“Anything decaf,” she answered.
Jake indicated she should sit at the table for two by the window.
“I’ll be right back.”
Staring out at the blackness reminded her of the glimpse she’d had of Fire Angel’s face. She had to tell Jake everything, but would he believe her? While the captain seemed to think so, his mother read tea leaves, and he was predisposed to believe in something beyond the five senses. Jake wasn’t. He was more the prove-it-to-me type. Most people thought the word psychic was equivalent to crazy.
“Here you are,” Jake said, handing her a cup.
“Thanks. Are we going to talk about my abilities here?” she asked, raising her left eyebrow and looking around the room.
“No.” He shook his head and sat across from her, raising his cup to his lips and sipping. “We can discuss those in the apartment after Mia’s in bed. There’s someone I want you to meet, someone who’ll have information about your owl. Here he comes.”
Jake stood and grabbed an extra chair from a nearby empty table.
The man, tall and well-muscled, his steel-gray hair cut short, his face weather-worn and wrinkled testifying to hours spent outdoors, wore a teal blue long-sleeved shirt decorated with a band of red ribbon across his chest and two red ribbons flowing down each side of the shirt, ending at least four inches below the hem. On his left upper breast, a tan insignia depicted a bear paw print.
The man nodded his thanks and sat.
“Alexis Michaels, meet Jim Turner, Chief of the Temagami First Nation out on Bear Island.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Alexis said, offering her hand.
“The pleasure’s mine,” he answered. “Jake asked me to check a few things. I hope my information helps. Owls are sacred creatures to us.” He turned to Jake. “I spoke to Anue. He’s the one who teaches our young the ways of our people. While we specialize in tanning and preserving hides, there are times when we preserve an entire animal. Many who come to hunt want trophies to take back and we can always use the money. According to him, but he couldn’t tell all that much from the photographs alone, the stitching is similar to that used by some of the Wyandot, but not by the Temagami. He also says it’s been maybe fifty years or more since that stitching style was popular. Like myself, he can’t imagine anyone stuffing an owl. Why keep a memento of something associated with death?”
Jake nodded. “Thank you. We knew the bird had been stuffed many years ago. The carcass was filled with sawdust, but at least this tells us it definitely isn’t from around here.”
The chief nodded. “More likely it’s from the Georgian Bay area. There’s a strong Huron presence there, but just because it’s filled with sawdust doesn’t mean it’s old. Many prefer to use that since it makes the stuffed animal sturdier and less likely to be knocked over. Wax beads are lighter, but the animal lacks weight because of it. And, sawdust is much less expensive.”
“I see. That makes sense, especially if the owl is from the Midland area. Barn owls were more plentiful back then and not on the endangered species list like they are now.” He took another sip of his coffee. “Did you learn any more about the fire? I’m waiting for the RCMP files, but I know you had your own people check it out.”
Jim nodded. “I called Wilson, the forest ranger who was in the tower at that time. He agrees with the findings. It was very dry that month and there were several thunderstorms. There was a strike over to the west that burned for days before they managed to get it under control thanks to four days of rain. It was a good thing we had so many volunteers. Dr. Shillingham came up, too. There was a lot of smoke. People had trouble breathing.”
“That was nice of him,” Alexis said, intrigued. Was it? Or was he drawn to the fire?
Smiling, the chief nodded once more. “Did you know his wife was part Temagami? Her grandmother was born on Bear Island. She visited the reserve quite often until her grandmother passed. Andrew accompanied her and now comes over on a regular basis to care for the elderly. The man has suffered a lot. Such a shame to lose a child as he did and then have the marriage fall apart. You never get over that kind of pain.”
Alexis nodded and leaned forward. “Where is Mrs. Shillingham now?”
The elderly man shook his head. “I don’t know. We haven’t seen her in years.”
Disappointed, Alexis sat back. Too bad. Talking to the doctor’s wife might’ve helped set the record straight, but this information just added to his potential as the Fire Angel.
“You said you had a lot of volunteers? Did anyone in particular stand out?” she asked.
Watching a forest fire and bringing it to heel would have been an irresistible aphrodisiac to any pyromaniac.
He shrugged. “I was more concerned with my health and that of my people. I think most of your volunteer firefighters and your paramedics were there. Frank Arthur brought the canteen each day to help with meals and such.”
“He does get around, doesn’t he?”
No doubt the owner of the canteen knew how to capitalize on disaster, too.
Jake and Jim spoke a bit longer about the conference, and she retreated inside herself to add this new information to what she had.
“It was nice to meet you, Ms.
Michaels,” Jim said, standing. “Goodnight and good luck finding this man. If you really think he could be one of us, let me know. I’ll check every single member of the tribe if I have to.”
“Goodnight and thanks for your help.”
“Did you know about the doctor’s connection to the tribe?” she asked Jake once they were alone again.
“No,” he admitted. “It makes him look guiltier than ever, doesn’t it? Even if that fire wasn’t arson, why was he really up there? The man’s my friend, Alexis. I feel terrible even thinking about him this way. It’s all circumstantial, but that’s all we have to work with.”
She reached across the table and touched his hand, offering sympathy.
“The lure of the fire? Maybe there’s nothing to it beyond the fact he’s a doctor and wants to help people,” she offered, trying to see the man the way Jake did. “Was he at all of the other fires?
The idea of an angel of mercy, creating the problem to solve it, came to mind, but then from what she’d learned of Fire Angel, this wasn’t about saving or helping anyone.
“Nobody was at the first one that we know of other than the perp, but he did collect the body. He was definitely at the other two, I saw him there. He didn’t seem particularly fascinated by it though, more concerned with the bodies removed and the health of those watching. I’m going to have to call him in tomorrow and talk to him. Damn, I so don’t want to be right.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know you were going to explain to me how you read a fire scene, but I’m bushed, and I need to contact my brother in Afghanistan. I want to ask him about some of the people he might remember from school who could do something like this. Can we meet at breakfast and go through it then? I’m hoping we have the timeline wrong and there won’t be another fire tonight.”
Alexis smiled, glad to have this reprieve, hoping he was right. The windows had all fogged over, so it had to be cold out there. The reprieve would give her time to organize her notes and present her methods in the best light possible. Two hundred years ago, she would’ve probably been burned at the stake for her ability. The irony wasn’t lost on her.
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