Above all, there was the blissful solitude. Actual hours, connected one to the other, sometimes stretching into entire days during which she didn‘t have to so much as say hello to anyone. No disentangling Park rats‘ messy lives, no cleaning up auntiemade messes, no fighting over the goddamn Suulutaq Mine. Peace was what she had, a rare and perfect—

A polite cough. Excuse me.

Kate came bolt upright at the same moment Mutt leaped to her feet. They both looked in the direction of the voice. Mutt growled. Kate felt like it.

She shaded her eyes against the sun. Who—Oh. Holly, Holly Haynes, right? Suulutaq geologist?

Right. The other woman came forward, a tentative smile on her face, and they shook hands. Kate hadn‘t seen her since the case of the disappearing miner the month before. Sorry to bother you. You looked pretty comfortable. She looked at Mutt, who was still growling.

Mutt.

Mutt held the growl for a few seconds more before shutting it down, just so Kate would know it was her own idea. Truth was, she was as embarrassed as Kate. It had been a long time since either one of them had allowed anyone to sneak up on them. I didn‘t hear your car, Kate said.

Haynes made a vague gesture behind her. I wasn‘t sure I had the right place, so I parked at the turnoff and walked in.

Kate nodded and promised herself that whoever had given Haynes directions to her homestead would pay for it one day. It wasn‘t like she hated the very sight of Suulutaq‘s staff geologist, but Kate did not approve of people dropping by uninvited. Besides, she had the uneasy feeling that her holiday had just been, if not ruined, say then shortened by press of business, and duty.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, it was not good to be queen.

She led the way back to the house. There she offered Haynes her choice of coffee or Diet 7UP and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. It was as far as she was prepared to go in hospitality, and she hoped it would discourage Haynes from a long visit. Mutt had followed them as far as the deck, and through the living room windows Kate had a clear view of her sprawled in the sun. Kate wished she were there with her. How are things out at the mine? she said, and thought, Me making polite conversation. Just shoot me now.

Haynes finished one cookie and reached for another. Fine. Drill baby drill. Kate smiled in spite of herself. Found the limits of the deposit yet?

Haynes, mouth full, shook her head. Every time we think we‘ve got to the edge, the edge moves out from under us.

Kate gave a wise nod like she knew something about gold mining, when all she really knew was that all gold miners were nuts. She didn‘t know if that extended to gold miners who pulled it out of the ground in commercial quantities, but she wouldn‘t bet against it. So, that must make you happy, she said.