White Fire

19

Corrie entered the history section of the Roaring Fork Library. The beautiful, wood-paneled space was once again empty save for Ted Roman, who was reading a book at his desk. He looked up as Corrie entered, his lean face lighting up.

“Well, well!” he said, rising. “Roaring Fork’s most infamous girl returns in triumph!”

“Jeez. What kind of a welcome is that?”

“A sincere one. I mean it. You and that FBI agent really nailed Kermode. God, it was one of the best things I’ve ever seen in this town.”

“You were at the town meeting?”

“Sure as hell was. It’s about time someone took down that…well, I hope you won’t be offended if I use the word, but here goes: that bitch.”

“No offense here.”

“And not only did the man in black cut Kermode off at the knees, but he took on that cozy little triumvirate, her, the police chief, and the mayor. Your friend just about had the three of them soiling their drawers — Montebello, too!” He almost cackled with glee, and his laugh was so infectious Corrie had to join in.

“I have to admit, it was satisfying to hear the story,” Corrie said. “Especially after spending ten days in jail because of them.”

“I knew as soon as I read you’d been arrested that it was bullshit…” Ted tried to smooth down the cowlick that projected from his forehead. “So. What are you working on today?”

“I want to find out all I can about the life of Emmett Bowdree — and his death.”

“The miner you’ve been analyzing? Let’s see what we can find.”

“Is the library always this empty?” she asked as they walked over to the computer area.

“Yeah. Crazy, huh? The prettiest library in the West and nobody comes. It’s the people in this town — they’re too busy parading down Main Street in their minks and diamonds.” He aped a movie star, sashaying as if on a fashion runway, making faces.

Corrie laughed. Ted had a funny way about him.

He sat down at a computer terminal and logged on. He began various searches, explaining what he was doing while she peered over his shoulder.

“Okay,” he said, “I’ve got some decent hits on your Mr. Bowdree.” She heard a printer fire up behind her. “You take a look at the list and tell me what you want to see.”

He fetched the printed sheets and she scanned them quickly, pleased — in fact, almost intimidated — by the number of references. It seemed that there was quite a lot on Emmett Bowdree: mentions in newspaper articles, employment and assay records, mining documents and claims, and other miscellanea.

“Say…” Ted began, then stopped.

“What?”

“Um, you know, considering how you stood me up for that beer last time…”

“Sorry. I was busy getting myself arrested.”

He laughed. “Well, you still owe me one. Tonight?”

Corrie looked at him, suddenly blushing and awkward and hopeful. “I’d love to,” she heard herself say.