Ollie circled the desk and disappeared through the first door.

Tense moments passed during which Ryan stared at his shoes. Finally, I could take it no longer. “Do you have a problem with me, Detective?”

Ryan pushed from the desk to pace away. Paced back. Finally, “Let’s just close this case.”

I was opening my mouth to ask his meaning when Ollie reappeared. His expression suggested good news. “You may have been dead-on, Tempe.”

Ryan tensed at Ollie’s use of my first name.

“She’s in Edmonton,” Ollie went on.

“Ruben?” I was stunned.

“She was just spotted at a Tim Hortons a few miles east of downtown. The place is about a kilometer off the TransCanada.”

“Now what?”

“Now the party moves to my town.”

“I’VE GOT SOMEONE BOOKING FLIGHTS.” OLLIE TURNED TO ME. “Can you be at the airport by eleven?”

“Me?” I didn’t bother to hide my surprise.

“Ruben whored in Edmonton, too. You think her mothering instincts were better out west?”

“The local ME must have experts he calls on.”

“That office is having some issues.”

“The SQ won’t pick up her expenses,” Ryan said.

“The RCMP will. I’ll run her through as a temporary CM. Civilian member.”

“I know what the term means.” Ryan gave Ollie a smile that carried zero warmth.

“So.” Ollie’s eyes held mine levelly. “Are you in?”

My mind played a flash reel of squirming eyes, tiny mummified hands, wadded tissue. I checked my watch, then nodded.

“If you can’t get away, Detective, I understand.” Ollie spoke without turning to Ryan.

“I’ll see you at the airport,” Ryan said.

Upstairs, there were no new anthropology cases. After clearing my sudden change of plans with LaManche, I headed out.

I’d just entered my condo when my iPhone sounded. The noon flight was full, so we were booked on the one o’clock. I used the extra hour to shower, print my boarding pass, and place a courtesy call to the ME in Edmonton. He thanked me and said his facility would be at my disposal, should I need it.

At twelve-twenty, I met Ryan and Ollie at the gate at Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Air Canada flight 413 was posted as delayed. Our new departure time was one-fifteen. I took little comfort in that estimate. The attendant said it was a mechanical issue. Right.

We finally took off at three-forty-five. Which meant we missed our connection in Toronto. Luckily, the next flight to Edmonton left at five. Following a sprint through the airport, we made it. The joys of modern aviation.

Ryan has many fine qualities—intelligence, wit, kindness, generosity. As a traveling companion, he’s a pain in the ass.

Ollie’s presence did nothing to improve Ryan’s disposition. Or maybe it was me. Or the croque-monsieur he ate in the coffee shop. The atmosphere in our little band was as friendly as that at a drug raid.

Ollie offered transport upon landing, but Ryan insisted on renting a car. Though Ollie suggested I accompany him, I felt it more diplomatic to remain with Ryan.