Bridget was a computer programmer for a software manufacturer“We make the buttons work when you click on themand she had some amusing stories about people with new systems calling for help. “The first thing you tell them is, Check to see if its plugged in. Youd be amazed at how offended they get, and how frequently they dont have the machine plugged in.

Liam told them about his week, beginning with the killing of the postmistress in Kagati Lake.

Bridget seemed more interested in how he got to Kagati Lake than in what he found there. “Well, its not exactly the garda, now is it. She caught Wys glance. “The garda are our local police, she explained. “They get around on foot, or in cars.

“Not planes, Liam said.

“Not planes, Bridget agreed.

“I should move to Ireland, Liam said ruefully, and in response to Bridgets raised eyebrow said, “I hate to fly. We had to stop off at Nenevok Creek on the way back to Newenham. You should see the strip into that place. He shuddered, a gesture not wholly feigned.

“Why Nenevok Creek? Wy said, thinking of Rebecca Hanover counting down to Labor Day and liberation.

“Alaska Airlines picked up a Mayday from there and relayed it to us.

Wy put down her fork. “A Mayday from Nenevok Creek? Is that the Hanovers?

“You know them?

“I flew them in in May, and Ive been doing supply runs in there all summer.

Liam considered. “How well did you know them?

Wy raised her shoulders in a slight shrug. “Not personally, it was businesswait a minute. She stared hard at Liam. “Why are we speaking in the past tense?

He grimaced. “Im sorry, Wy. Mark Hanover is dead.

“How?

“One shot, point-blank, from a shotgun.

“Who did it?

“We dont know.

“Wheres Rebecca?

“We dont know that, either.

She was still for a moment. Jim and Bridget sat silent, listening. “Who made the distress call?

“Thats whats weird, Liam said. “We dont know. Alaska Airlines one-three-three intercepted a Mayday from somebody who said they were at Nenevok Creek, that someone had been shot, and that they needed help. They didnt identify themselves, and when we got there, all we found was Hanovers body.

“And no Rebecca, Wy said.

“No. It could be that she saw it happen, that she ran for her life, and that she was too afraid to come out. Well go back in the morning, do a search of the area, see if we cant pick up her trail.

“You think it could be the same guy who shot Opal? Wy said, echoing Princes words.

“The postmistress in Kagati Lake, Liam explained to Jim and Bridget. “She was killed the day before. In answer to Wys question he shook his head. “Its possible, but I dont think so. Thats a long way to travel in a pretty short time. Guyd have to be part mountain goat and part moose.