Harm's Reach

47

Delores Ward opened the door to the cabin and welcomed Ren in.

‘Can I get you coffee?’ said Delores.

‘No, thank you,’ said Ren. ‘But water would be great.’

Delores went to her little refrigerator and brought Ren a bottle of Poland Spring.

‘What can I do for you?’ said Delores.

‘I’d like to ask you about your trip to Williston in April,’ said Ren.

‘Oh,’ said Delores.

‘You stopped off in Cheyenne,’ said Ren.

‘Yes,’ said Delores. ‘I was feeling unwell. And I wanted to mail a check to Burt Kendall.’

‘Oh,’ said Ren. Wind out of sails. Damn.

‘Why did you want to send Burt Kendall a check?’ said Ren.

‘We needed a new bus,’ said Delores. She smiled. ‘That journey was particularly bad, so it was quite ironic that I had planned to send the check during that trip.’

‘But why anonymously?’ said Ren. And where did you get the money?

‘I didn’t want to embarrass him, I didn’t want the ladies of the abbey to know, and I wanted to help him because I was aware he was in financial difficulties. I wander around the grounds and I’ve spoken to him and some of his workers. I wanted to do a good deed and have him get some benefit too. I’ve always preferred to give quietly. I have family money. I can afford it.’

‘The cashier’s check came from Butte, Montana,’ said Ren. ‘Are you from Butte?’

She smiled. ‘I’m from here.’

Why would you say otherwise?

‘Why did you go all the way to Williston for your protest?’ said Ren.

‘Prostitution is wrong,’ said Delores. ‘The camps there are filled with men who traveled there to make their fortune, just like during the Gold Rush. It perpetuates the notion that women can be bought, and treated like dirt, and disease can be spread, and they put these women’s lives and health at risk. It’s an injustice and it’s like a step back in time. I wanted to stop that terrible, damaging cycle.’

‘What brought you to Evergreen Abbey?’ said Ren. Fleeing a life of prostitution?

‘It’s an old and sorry tale,’ said Delores. ‘A man broke my heart...’

See, love is a nightmare.

‘Not before he had taken my family away from me,’ said Delores. ‘Christmas Day. So I was left with no one.’

Yikes.

‘You don’t have to talk about this,’ said Ren.

But, please, carry on.

She didn’t.

‘Sit down,’ said Ren. ‘Let me get you some water.’

‘Thank you,’ said Delores.

They sat in silence.

‘Delores, do you know a man called Robert Prince?’ said Ren.

Delores frowned. ‘No. I can’t say that I do. Who is he?’

‘He’s a very successful businessman,’ said Ren. ‘He’s based in New York, he’s got businesses here in Colorado, but his family are originally from Butte, Montana.’

‘I have no family connections there,’ said Delores.

Damn you! Little old lady...

‘OK,’ said Ren. ‘Laura Flynn, the victim of the shooting... she was his housekeeper.’

Something flashed across Delores’ face.

What was that?

‘Would you know anything about that?’ said Ren.

Delores shook her head. ‘No.’

Silence descended once more.

‘Are you OK?’ said Ren, eventually.

‘Yes,’ said Delores. ‘Yes.’ She paused. ‘If you need to be somewhere, you go ahead.’

‘Are you sure you’re OK?’

Delores nodded. She moved to stand up.

‘Stay where you are,’ said Ren.

‘No, no,’ said Delores. ‘I can at least walk you to the door.’

Ren gave her a hug before she left. Delores flinched.

Ooh... I didn’t think that through. Poor impulse control.

But Delores smiled. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

Ren sat in the Jeep and started the engine. Her phone rang. It was Janine.

Ren picked up. ‘Hey, girl.’

Silence from Janine.

‘Are you OK?’ said Ren.

‘Yes... I’m sorry,’ said Janine. ‘I’m...

Crying...

‘What is it?’ said Ren.

‘I was right,’ said Janine. ‘About the unit... they’re cutting the unit.’

‘What?’

‘They’re cutting the cold case unit.’

‘Oh my God, no,’ said Ren. ‘No way. How can they do that?’

‘They can and they have and...’

‘But, I don’t get it,’ said Ren. ‘When did they say that? Have they given you notice?’

‘They haven’t said it officially,’ said Janine. ‘Logan, the sweetheart, had heard, and tipped me off.’

‘Aw, bless his heart,’ said Ren. ‘But fuck...’

‘I knew there was something up when they moved me from my office...’

‘So, what’s their plan?’ said Ren.

‘I don’t know, I’ll have to wait and see what the sarge says. Logan didn’t know, but he figures I’ll just be joining the other investigators.’

‘Well, as scenarios go, there could be worse outcomes...’

‘I know,’ said Janine, ‘but I don’t want to lose my unit.’

‘Of course you don’t,’ said Ren. ‘It’s just... well, thank God they’re not throwing you out on the street.’

Silence. ‘I... just can’t believe it,’ said Janine, eventually. ‘I’m not saying I’m amazing or anything—’

‘You are amazing,’ said Ren. ‘What are you talking about? Fuck this. Where are you now?’

‘Where all the best cries happen...’

‘Ryan Gosling’s arms?’

Janine laughed and cried. ‘I wish. I’m in the ladies’ room...’

‘What time are you finished up?’

‘Five.’

‘I’ll be there,’ said Ren.

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ said Janine. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Please,’ said Ren. ‘In my mind, I’m already gone. See you in Woody’s at five forty-five p.m. Be there or be...’

‘Fired.’

‘Stop.’

Ren put down the phone.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. This will work out. She is Janine Hooks. She is kick-ass. She is the best. And I have to do something to help. Rader and Hooks! Um... Bryce and Hooks! Oh my God. Where the hell did that come from?