“My sister was impressionable. And she wanted … things.”

“Meaning?”

“She saw Ronnie’s life and thought it was glamorous. Every time he let down his guard, off she went.”

“To turn tricks.”

“She was trusting and sweet and craved attention.”

“From what I understand, your brother practically rules the underbelly in Edmonton. Why not put it out that Annaliese is off-limits?”

“You think Ronnie can control every lowlife with a dollar and a dick? Excuse my French.”

“Where is Scar now?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

“He was at the Gold Range yesterday. That’s why you went there.”

She nodded. “But I’m certain Ronnie would never hurt Annaliese.”

“Why is your brother in Yellowknife?”

“I called to tell him Annaliese was at my house. He was furious, said she wasn’t safe here.”

“Why not?”

“I think it had something to do with his business. But like I said—”

“I know. You don’t ask.”

*  *  *

Back in the Camry, I sat staring at nothing, my emotions a jumble of guilt, confusion, annoyance, and frustration.

Snook’s father had abandoned her, then perished in a plane crash. Her brother had died in a fire, her sister in a shooting. All in a short five years. Had showing her pictures of her dead nieces and nephews been too cruel?

Was Snook being honest about Scar? Daryl Beck? Her version was at odds with that of Horace Tyne. Tyne said Beck was a junkie. Was he mistaken? Or was Snook bending the truth, trying to paint both brothers in the best light possible?

I believed Snook knew nothing of Ruben’s pregnancies. Her shock at seeing the pictures had been real. As had her pain at hearing of Ruben’s murder. I doubted she’d protect her sister’s killer.

Even if the gunman was her brother?

Whatever. For me, the hunt was over. I’d come to Yellowknife at the request of the RCMP. At Ollie’s insistence. Ruben had been our quarry; now she was dead. At best, I would return to testify one day at the trial of her killer.

Would that ever happen? Would Ruben’s murder be given the attention it deserved? Did the cops even believe she was dead? Did they think she’d eventually reappear? If not, that she was just another hooker who’d decided to move on?

I met my own eyes in the rearview mirror. They looked tormented. I’d been obsessed with finding a woman who slaughtered babies. Now I knew that woman was a victim herself. A child victim. Had my obsession refocused on finding her killer?

If Snook was right about Scarborough, then who shot Ruben? Unka? One of his henchmen? Would Ruben’s body turn up mutilated in some horrible way? What motive would Unka have? To get at Scar? Did Unka know Ruben was related to Scar?