Nate and Kyle seemed pleased with the compromise and ran outside, slamming the front door behind them.
“That computer and the car were very, very generous gifts,” Ann said. “I thought finances were a little tight.”
“They were, but not now.” He leaned toward her a fraction, as if hoping she would meet him halfway for a kiss, but when she did not, he made up the distance and kissed her gently on the lips. “I want you to really consider moving back into town. It’s not safe here.”
“We’ve been through this.”
Joan ducked her head and reached to pick up the discarded wrapping paper. She should have given them privacy but was curious about Clarke’s recent change in finances.
“We’ll talk next week,” he offered.
She hesitated and then nodded. “Sure.”
“Great.” He strode toward the door and yanked it open. “Stay out of trouble, Joan.”
She crumpled the wrapping paper into a tight wad. “I’ll do my best.”
“You do that.”
Joan tossed the paper in the trash. “Where do you think he got the money? That computer is at least a grand. And that car was close to five hundred.”
“Noncustodial parents like Clarke are known to compensate with expensive gifts, as if that will make up for their lost time.”
She shook her head. Clarke did not appear to have any suspicions about the boy’s paternity. But that did not mean that, on some level, he didn’t sense he could be in a competition with the very intelligent Elijah Weston. Could he suspect that Ann had slept with Elijah? “I suppose that’s it.”
Just then, several cars pulled into the driveway. “Let the fun begin.”
If volume of noise was a measure of success, then Joan decided that Nate and Kyle’s half-birthday party was a hit. The six boys ran around the house, and when Nate nearly crashed into a coffee table, Ann ordered them all outside.
For the first time since Gideon had arrived two hours ago, they looked at each other and laughed.
“I need a drink,” Joan said.
“What? The noise getting to you?” Gideon asked.
“Yes.” She held a cold beer bottle to the side of her head. “How does so much sound come out of such young humans?”
Gideon sipped his soda. “It’s a mystery.”
“Did you hear about the gifts Clarke gave Nate and Kyle?” Joan asked.
“Something about a computer and a car.”
“A really expensive computer and remote-control car.”
Gideon was silent for a moment. “He’s always wanted to provide the best.”
“A sentiment I can appreciate. But where does a firefighter get that kind of dough?”
“Credit cards. Sold one of his hunting rifles. I don’t know. Why does that bother you?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Clarke is rough around the edges. But he has always been a straight shooter, and he’s always treated Kyle like a son.”
“Why hasn’t Ann moved back home?” Joan asked.
“I don’t delve into the love lives of other couples. I’ve got enough on my own plate.”
“You’ve known Clarke since middle school, right?” Joan asked.
“That’s right. Why the sudden interest in Clarke?”
“I don’t know. I question everything and everyone. It’s just habit. Never mind. I was just thinking out loud.”
“Are you staying at the guesthouse tonight?”
“If you’ll still have me.” She had packed her things this morning, just in case.
“You’re welcome as long as you want to stay.”
“I’ll be out of your hair by Sunday.”
“There’s absolutely no rush.”
Joan stayed behind to help Ann clean up after the boys while Gideon drove the overly sugared, rowdy kids back to town. Kyle and Nate were upstairs, excited about their sleepover. The house breathed a sigh of relief.
She pulled the overstuffed trash bag from the can in the kitchen and carried it outside to the garage, where there was a locked box for the garbage. Philadelphia had rats. Montana had bears.
Back inside, she washed her hands and wiped down the counter for the evening.
Ann filled the empty trash can with a new bag. “You don’t have to go back to Gideon’s,” Ann said.
“I want to. It’s easier.”
“Did you and Gideon start something again?” Ann asked.
“No. We’re older and wiser and both know that I won’t stick around.”
“You could stay out here. Big Sky Country had its moments for you.”
“Live here again?” Joan had not even toyed with the idea. She was here to figure out Elijah, and now the other fires. Once that was solved, it would be time to go home and face the music of her off-key life.
“Consider it,” Ann said.
“And how would I support myself?” Joan asked. “I doubt anyone in the Philadelphia Police Department will give me a recommendation.”
“Enough people know you. I would vouch for you.” Ann added, “The police department’s always hiring. I also hear the medical examiner needs an investigator.”
“I doubt I could work for Gideon.”
Ann closed the door to the utility room. “Then call Dr. Christopher.”
“Before we get carried away with ourselves, I need to get going. I want to see Elijah again before visiting hours are over and figure out how he’s doing.”
Ann’s good humor faded. “I’m sorry he was assaulted.”
“He’s taking it in stride. Though he doesn’t strike me as the type who lets something like this pass.”
“Have you ever sensed that he, well, knows?” Ann asked.
“About?” Joan did not mention Nate’s name, but they both understood his paternity was the topic. When Ann nodded slowly, Joan said carefully, “He’s not stupid, and little gets past him.”
Ann’s face tightened with worry. “Nate and I were at the university on Monday checking out his classroom. We saw Elijah.”
“Did you speak?”
“No. But I know he saw us. When we pulled away, he spotted my car.”
“What was he doing there?” Joan asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe he was scoping out the school layout so he would be ready for his class.”
“I suppose,” Ann said.
“Don’t worry about him. Let me do that, okay?”
“Okay.”
Joan opened her phone and scrolled to the picture they’d found of Ann and her in Lana’s suitcase. “Gideon took the picture using
