There was a long silence. Liam watched Bills face as realization dawned. “Natalie Gosuks the one with the court order?

He nodded. “Shes sober, too, who knows how long. But shes got the order, she knows what it means and shes going to use it. I think shell run off with him first chance she gets.

Bills eyes narrowed.

“Sooner or later, shell start drinking again, like she always does. But for the moment, shes here, and shell be knocking on Wys door, wanting to see Tim. He looked down at his plate. “Too bad Moses brought him in from fish camp. School doesnt start until Monday, and Natalie never lasts longer in town than three or four days.

She spoke carefully and deliberately. “You miserable, manipulative, Machiavellian son of a bitch.

He nodded with no particular pleasure.

She tossed the bar rag and turned to go. Over her shoulder she said, “You want to be a social worker, you better lose the trooper uniform.

FOUR

Nenevok Creek, September 1

Rebecca Hanover was a reluctant gold miner.

“I like to knit, she had told her friend Nina in Anchorage in April. “I like to bead and quilt and cross-stitch.

“You can do all those things at the mine.

“Yes, but I like to do all those things in front of a roaring fire in a stone fireplace with an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the television. I like getting up during the commercials and going to a bathroom that has a flush toilet.

“Ah. Then it isnt beading you like, its indoor plumbing.

Rebecca refused to be diverted. “I like meeting you for coffee and canella at City Market on Saturday mornings. She raised her cup and gestured at the large room full of loud cheerful voices and the mingled aromas of Kaladi Brothers coffee, Italian sausage sandwiches and spicy sesame chicken. In the parking lot cars were idling, waiting for an empty space. “I like people. I like eavesdropping on their conversations. Like that guy? She pointed with her chin. “Hes a superior court judge, and that isnt his wife. Before you got here they were planning a weekend in Seattle, until he remembered that was the weekend of his anniversary. She hasnt spoken to him since.

Nina shifted in her chair and managed a covert, over-the-shoulder look. “Isnt that Shelby Arvidson, the anchor on Channel 6?

“Yes, it is, and youll notice, shes still here.

“Your point being?

“The weekend may still be on, anniversary or no. And you see the couple in the corner? The dark woman in the red T-shirt with the tall blond guy?

“Uh-huh.

“Thats Lois Barcott.

“The defense lawyer?

“Yeah. And thats Harry Arner, the district attorney. I bet theyre cutting a deal on the Baldridge case.

“I love having a friend whos a legal secretary, Nina said. “Whos Baldridge?

“Used to be a banker, accused of embezzlement and fraud. He made nine million dollars in unsecured loans to people who turned out to be close personal friends of his.