Did you know him, Ms. Blue? Kate said.

I know all the employees at Suulutaq, Ms. Shugak.

Did you know Mr. Gammons well?

No better than any of the other employees.

Kate wasn‘t so sure. She‘d caught a glimpse of an almost imperceptible falter in the bland smile, but she wasn‘t going to pursue it here, in front of Lyda‘s employers. Thank you, Ms. Blue.

Thanks, Lyda, Truax said. He waited until the door closed behind her, and looked at Kate.

Sergeant Chopin will have told you that Gammons‘s truck has been found about halfway between Niniltna and Park headquarters, Kate said. And that a search party found a body not far from there.

Truax tried to look concerned. Is it Gammons?

Sergeant Chopin has sent the body to the medical examiner in Anchorage for identification.

How did he die? Haynes said, speaking for the first time.

Again, details will have to wait on the findings of the medical examiner. Kate opened the file and gave the contents a brief glance. She looked up and said, I see he worked in Stores. Would it be possible for me to talk to his coworkers? Certainly, Truax said. But didn‘t you say you had questions about two of our employees, Kate?

I did, Kate said, and this time allowed her face to relax into a rueful smile. The second case isn‘t quite so, ah, grim. Evidently, one of your employees has married into the Park.

Truax smiled in return. It was a rather attractive smile when he wasn‘t forcing it, good teeth, hints of dimples on both sides, and it reached his eyes. Nothing I can do about that, Kate. I make it a policy never to interfere in the private lives of people who work for me, so long as their private lives don‘t interfere with their work. Can‘t say I object to Suulutaq workers forging closer ties with NNA shareholders and people who live in the Park, either.

Twice, Kate said.

I‘m sorry? Truax said.

He married into the Park twice, Kate said. Twice within the last five months. There was a pause. I‘m guessing, Truax said, that the second time was without benefit of divorce from the first wife?

It was, Kate said.

Truax sighed and looked at the ceiling for inspiration. Well, Kate, you want me to fire him? Wait a minute, before I fire anyone, who is it?

Randy Randolph.

Randy Randolph? Haynes said.

Yes, Kate said.

Randy Randolph? Truax said, sitting straight up in his chair. My baker? I‘m afraid so, Kate said.

Truax was incredulous and not afraid to show it. Randy Randolph married twice over the last five months? Are you sure?

It‘s who you are writing the paycheck in question to, Kate said. What‘s the problem?

No problem, Truax said, it‘s just— There was a look of restrained hilarity on his face that made Kate curious and a little wary. Haynes, too, looked amused. He leaned over the intercom again. Lyda, is Randy Randolph on shift yet? It took her a few moments, probably to look up the work schedule. Yes, Vern. Thanks. Truax leaned back. Holly, would you like to take Ms. Shugak around? Kate rose to her feet. I appreciate that, but there‘s no need. It‘s not that big a camp. I‘m sure I can find my way.