Crow Wing Dead

by Midge Bubany

  Because Clifford Emerson joined AA and had been sober for one hundred twenty days, Shannon and I agreed to drop our civil suit against him. I talked Eleanor Kohler into training him as a baker—she said he’s a good worker. His son, Jessie, plans on going to community college next fall.

  So Shannon and I are almost best friends again. Maybe it’s because she and Mac Wallace ended their relationship, although I had nothing to do with that. Mac was caught having sex with a potential buyer in the seller’s master bedroom.

  Love is in the air: Last week Spanky and Saddie announced their engagement and are planning a May wedding. Eleanor Kohler and Matt Hauser are dating. My mom and Bobby are on a European cruise and seem obnoxiously happy for an old hippie and a mysterious stranger.

  And me? I keep myself busy with the Twinks and sports. I play golf in the men’s league, and basketball two nights a week in the high school gym with a group of deputies, firefighters, and teachers. I also have Dallas Grace Bradley for a friend. She’s taught me the value of canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. It’s a platonic relationship… at least that’s what we tell everyone. Oh, and Bullet and Willie have become best friends.

  After pleading guilty to multiple charges, Ginty, Hayes, and Wynn are spending some quality time with the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

  As for my former best friend, Michael Hawkinson, I haven’t spoken to him since the night he called to tell me he didn’t hold it against me for turning him in. Lee Sabin, who I’ve golfed with on a couple of occasions, says Hawk’s unemployed and still living at home until his trial scheduled for December. As far as I’m concerned, I believe Barb and Tom deserve having their adult son dependent on them once again.

  Cheers from those around me brought me back to the present and the soccer game. Shannon and her parents stood, their arms rising high in the air. Luke had just scored a goal. I’d missed seeing it. When he searched the crowd, he looked at me first, and I gave him a thumbs-up. He tried not to, but he smiled. It made my day.

  I was invited to go out for ice cream with the family after the game. He didn’t object. When the pressure is off, maybe the gloves come off too.

  Acknowledgements

  There are many people to thank: my husband and family for the continuing support and encouragement; my friends, old and new, who faithfully buy and read my books and tell me kind things about my work; and my friend Darrell Maloney, who accepted the daunting task of proofreading Crow Wing Dead for me.

  I also wish to thank the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department and personnel who participated in 2015 spring Citizen’s Academy class, and especially to CSI Deputy Sarah Buck for the ride-along. The experiences and information learned are invaluable.

  Thanks to the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime and Women of Words, for their wonderful support and friendship.

  And of course, thanks to Corinne, Anne, and Curtis at North Star for taking on another Cal Sheehan book.