He stopped, ashamed of having lost his temper. The Nunapitchuks seemed like nice people: hardworking, self-sufficient, capable, intelligent, everything he admired. He didnt like the thought that he was about to let them down. He sighed. “We wont close the file. The M.E. will be able to tell us about the weapon, and the prints will go into the system. Well put out a bulletin, circulate it among all the air taxi services in the Bay area in case he tries to fly out and gives himself away. Of course, hell have to give himself away because we dont have a clue as to what he looks like. He could be a woman for all we know, or a Texas horned toad, or a little green man from Mars. He felt himself getting angry all over again, and took a deep breath and blew it out explosively.

“Canneries, Prince said. “They could pass out copies to their fishermen. In case he tried to hitch a ride downriver.

“Most of the canneries are closed for the winter, Liam said shortly.

“Oh. Right.

“Shit, Liam said.

They thanked Leonard for the loan of the four-wheelers, made vague noises when he asked them what they had discovered, and got the hell out of there.

The Cessna 185 had been in the air less than twenty minutes when the call came in. Liam, as usual preoccupied with holding the plane up in the air by sheer effort of will, didnt hear it until Prince turned up the volume. “This is eight-two Victor November to the distress call, say again?

A calm, confident female drawl repeated, “This is Alaska Airlines one-three-three calling any small aircraft in the area of Nenevok Creek.

Prince and Liam exchanged glances, and simultaneously looked down at their watches. It was seven minutes past six. “Whats the last flight into Anchorage? Liam said.

Prince keyed the mike while Liam looked up through the windshield, trying to locate the other plane. “Alaska one-three-three, this is Cessna eight-two Victor November. I am twenty minutes out of Kagati Lake on a heading for Newenham. How may I assist you?

“Eight-two Victor November, this is Alaska one-three-three, I have received a distress call from someone in Nenevok Creek. I repeat, I have intercepted a distress call from Nenevok Creek. The caller did not identify himself.

“Alaska one-three-three, eight-two Victor November, did he identify the problem?

“Eight-two Victor November, Alaska one-three-three, he said someone had been shot and that they need help now.

Prince looked at Liam, who was already unfolding the map. She watched his forefinger locate Kagati Lake and trace a line south-southeast, until it stopped at Nenevok Creek.

He looked up. Her face was flushed, her eyes were bright and it looked as if her short dark hair was curling into even tighter curls. “Go, he said.

She stood the plane on one wingtip and keyed the mike at the same time. “Alaska Airlines one-three-three, this is Alaska State Trooper Diana Prince on board eight-two Victor November. Well take it from here. Eight-two Victor November out.