Any particular reason?
I just got a text from Paul Louderback recommendingit. Id like to be right in Breck. Ill have no car and if you get called away somewhere, at least that way I can walk to the sheriffs office if I have to.
He glanced at her. Im sure they can arrange a car.
And I heard the Firelight Inn is a great place to stay.
Ren didnt have a type; she had not-my-types Truaxs category. She also didnt do search and rescue for what she wanted in a guy. He either had it or he didnt. She always thought if a man senses what youre looking for, he will try to find it where it cant be found. And when he comes up empty, hell fake it. Paul Louderback had no need to fake anything. He just had it. Yes, he was married, but once she realized that they could never take it further, she could relax into what they had; no real flirting, just a quiet, comfortable connection.
The exit for Golden flashed past. She thought about Vincent and their little house. She counted silver cars: Americas most popular car color.
7
Sheriff Bob Gages office was a neat, polished space. He had one notebook and one folder on his desk. His computer was on a table beside him. Behind him was a bank of file cabinets with family photos lined up across the top. Four smiling, dancing, sporting girls and boys.
His assistant led Ren and Gary in.
Bob stood up. Hey, Ren, he said, giving her a light hug. Gary. He shook his hand.
Youre back in action fairly quickly, said Ren.
Not much choice, said Bob. Do you all know Tiny Gressett and Todd Austerval?
Weve met, said Gary, shaking their hands. Thats very sad news about Jean.
Thank you, said Gressett. Finding it hard to take it all in.
We said goodbye to her like she was just going on vacation, said Todd. He paused, then turned to Ren, waiting for an introduction.
Oh, hi, she said. Im Special Agent Ren Bryce with Safe Streets.
Good to meet you, said Todd.
Ren? said Gressett. That mean you can sing?
Ren smiled. It was awkward. Nothing youd want to listen to.
Gressett smiled and a remarkable amount of extra lines showed on his face.
I wanted to say I really am very sorry that were meeting under these circumstances, said Ren.
Gressett paused. Well, thank you. Jean was an outstanding agent and a friend.
I heard she was really something, said Ren. I hadnt met her, I havent been with Safe Streets that long
But shes one of our best, said Gary. Ren will be heading up the investigation here.
Oh, said Gressett. Being that youre familiar with the area and all that. He smiled and laughed alone.
Nope, just being that Im familiar with homicide investigation And being patronized by men who arent.
Well, good for you, said Gressett.
Yes, sir, said Ren. Now can we please stop this bullshit?
Right, everyone, said Bob, Sit down, make yourselves comfortable. Coffee?
Everyone nodded.
Let me run through what we got, he said. He placed a head-and-shoulders shot of Jean on the desk. Jean Transom, thirty-nine, single, worked in Glenwood, lived in Rifle, so far last seen by Todd and Gressett here, Friday, January 12th, five p.m. Body found on Quandary Peak, Tuesday, January twenty-third; possible GSW to the back or chest.
Ren looked down at the photo. There is something in your face that inspires trust. A friend of Rens called it a Can-I-get-you-a-Kleenex? face.
Ren looked down at the photo. There is something in your face that inspires trust. A friend of Rens called it a Can-I-get-you-a-Kleenex? face.
OK, said Gary. Colin Grabien in Safe Streets will be running through phone records he should have something back for us tomorrow.
I can go through Jeans desk at Glenwood, talk to Agent Gressett about what she was working on, said Ren.
Next of kin I have down as Patrick Transom, Jeans younger brother, said Bob. Well have to take care of the notification before this shit gets out. Ren, Id be afraid to say it to another woman, but Id like you to come with me for that feminine presence.
Jesus. You have me down as feminine? said Ren.
Theres a higher heel on your shoes, said Bob.
Weve met Patrick, said Gressett. Maybe Todd and I should
Lets leave Bob and Ren to take care of it, said Gary. We dont want to all descend on him.
Gressett slid forward on his seat. Todd and I could
Youre too close, said Gary. Gary severed discussions; a quick, deep, cut a special tone and a way of turning his head to focus on something else. Bob, can you show us where we can work out of?
Sure, said Bob. We got an office cleared out there, computers set up, admin you just let us know if theres anything else you need.
Thats great, said Gary.
Thanks, said Ren.
How many of your guys are coming down later? said Bob.
Three more from Safe Streets to join Ren for the duration of the investigation, said Gary. And a bunch of agents who will be sent to us from any offices that can spare them.
OK, said Bob, getting to his feet.
They all moved out of the office into reception. Ren pulled on her jacket.
Listen, go a little easy on people, said Gary, lowering his voice, leaning into her.
Like who? said Ren.
Gressett.
Sorry but he was being an asshole.
Yeah, but we just got here.
I know, but
You were the one who flagged the newbie thing, said Gary.
I know. It just came out. But, like he wasnt going to find out.
Gary let out a breath. OK. Do you have everything you need for an overnight stay?
Will I be doing the walk of shame tomorrow? Yes, sir.
Bob threw Ren his keys and told her to go ahead. Outside, powdery snow fell heavily. Ren walked quickly to the Explorer and got in the passenger side, slipping in the keys so she could listen to the radio. She skipped all the pre-tuned stations and tuned in her own.
What kind of crap do you listen to, Bob?
He came out five minutes later.
What is that crap? he said, turning off the radio. He started the engine. Right, were taking a little detour to the hospital. You can meet Corpses Maximus, our County Coroner.
Denis Lasco was sitting forward in his bed with his back against three giant pillows. He was freshly showered and watching a DVD on a portable player. He pulled the earphones out when he saw Bob and Ren.
Lasco, said Bob, I see your goddamn name in the paper every week, now this. He threw the Summit Daily News on to Lascos bed. This is what the townsfolk will be having with their breakfast tomorrow morning. This time youre not delivering the bad news, you are the bad news.
Right, so Im bad news as the victim of an avalanche, said Lasco. A near-fatal blunt force trauma.
This lovely lady is Special Agent Ren Bryce from the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force in Denver, said Bob. And at least I dont have to say that every day. Shell be coming to talk to you not right now, but I thought Id have you guys meet.
Well, nice to meet you, said Lasco.
You too, said Ren. How are you doing?
Lasco shrugged, then winced. He picked up the paper.
See the nice shit I said about you, said Bob.
Lasco read through it. I see the bullshit you said about me. Blah, blah, blah we had to make a call. We knew we had a body and a possible crime scene. And Denis Lasco was committed to getting on up there to do his job. But thats what weve come to expect from Denis Lasco. He glanced up at Bob. I like the ass-covering. Dont think for a second, people, that the Sheriffs Office marched him up the mountain.
Christ, said Bob. Zero to whining Listen, were going to talk to Patrick Transom, the victims brother. Is there anything you can give us?
What to ease the blow? Like, she didnt suffer, or something?
I dont know. Youre the coroner.
Im sorry, said Lasco. Id love to be able to say something, but lying? Not so much. He turned back to the paper. Ha, he said, its like you thought I wouldnt make it. Its like a frickin obituary. We love Lasco. We love Lasco. We are anticipating his demise.
You know you are, actually, a bitch, said Bob. Next time a corpse slams into you, Im going to tell the world youre a whiner. Who lives in his pajamas.
Im in hospital.
Bob rolled his eyes. I swear you go out of your way to piss me off.
Its why I couldnt die.
Yeah, well, maybe next time a real live personll take you out. An elected official with the trust of the county.
Im an elected official with the trust of the county.
All the better you kill yourself, I dont have to get involved.
Lasco let out a long breath. I think I need some quiet time. He turned away.
The drama, said Bob. He pulled the paper from under Lascos fingers and walked to the door. Anyway, welcome back from the dead.
To the dead.
Your pals.
My income. Lasco sighed. Goodbye.
8
Patrick Transom lived with his wife and four kids in a four-thousand-square-foot log home in Vail, thirty minutes from Breckenridge. Bob drove slowly up the steep curved drive and parked.
Wow, said Ren, getting out of the car. Nice. She kept her face neutral in case anyone was looking out the window.
But as my mother used to say for all their money
Yup, said Ren. She buttoned the top of her jacket and stuck her hands in her pockets.
They walked up the steps and rang the bell. A man in a blue plaid shirt and jeans opened the door.
Patrick Transom? said Bob.
Yes. What can I do for you?
Im Sheriff Bob Gage, Summit County, and this is Ren Bryce with the FBI.
Transom stared back and forth between the two of them. Okaay
Can we come in? said Bob.
Sure, but Im sorry, whats this about? You can come in, but youre making me nervous. Is everything all right?
Bob put a gentle hand on the door and sidestepped Transom. Ren walked in after him.
Why dont you take a seat? said Bob.
Transom moved quickly to the sofa and sat down. His eyes were pleading; a sixth sense had taken over.
You may have heard, said Bob, pulling a chair out for Ren, taking the one beside her, that a body was found on Quandary Peak.
Transom nodded. I did, yes.
Bob looked him right in the eye. Im so very sorry to have to tell you this, but we believe it was the body of your sister, Jean.
But but the body is gone, said Transom. I heard it on the news. There is no body. He looked like he was about to stand up. A smile played at the corner of his mouth. There is no body. He raised his hands like that was that no body, no Jean, no grief, no heartbreak.