I gazed out the window. So much had happened. Had it really been a week ago yesterday that we’d gathered in Saint-Hyacinthe?

I was dipping a pirated fry in ketchup when movement in the garden caught my attention.

A trash can toppled. Garbage winged out.

I watched idly, expecting an appearance by Rocky Raccoon.

Spindly legs backpedaled from the upended can, dragging a prize I couldn’t see.

I felt a buzz that sent blood rushing to my face.

“Meet you at the Camry!”

Before Ryan could respond, I snatched the bacon from my sandwich and bolted.

*  *  *

The sole survivor of an odd family stood alone under the sun on a gently sloping hill. Insects boiled around her. Four cavities gaped black and raw at her feet.

Maureen King had told me where to look for Nellie Snook. And of Snook’s plan to bury her kin.

Daryl Beck. Alice Ruben. Ronald Scarborough. I wondered what inscription would mark the common grave of the unnamed infants.

As Ryan and I crossed the cemetery, the smell of grass and turned earth triggered memories of my prior visit to Lakeview.

Snook turned at the sound of our approach. Watched in stoic silence as we drew near.

“How are you, Nellie?”

“OK.”

“Detective Ryan and I want to tell you how truly sorry we are for your loss.”

Snook regarded me, expression resigned. Once again life had not met her expectations. Or had.

“This is a very generous gesture.” I tipped a hand at the graves.

“Blood takes care of blood.”

“When will you be able to hold the funerals?”

“Ms. King will tell me.”

“Please let me know if I can help in any way. You have my number.”

“Thank you.”

“I mean that.”

She nodded. We both knew she would never punch those digits.

“Nellie,” I said softly. “I have something for you.”

I unzipped my windbreaker.

A head poked free, fur tufted and matted with grime.

Snook’s eyes went wide. “Tank?”

The dog’s snout whipped toward Snook. With a yip, he pushed from my chest, landed, and wagged the entire back half of his body.

“Here, boy.” Snook spread her arms.

Tank scampered to her and sprang.

Snook caught the dog and buried her nose in his coat.

A soft pink tongue lapped Snook’s face.

A long moment passed.

Snook looked at me, cheeks moist with saliva and tears. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.”

Snook smiled. It was the first time I’d seen her do it.

A heaviness wrapped my heart as we set out for the car.

I felt Ryan’s arm drape my shoulders. My eyes met his.

“Ms. Snook is going to be a very wealthy woman,” he said gently.

“Can any amount of money mend her perception of the world?”

“It can mend its reality.”

I looked a question at him.

“She can spend it to save her beloved caribou.”

I slipped a hand around Ryan’s waist.