“I heard that you and Rodney here had a run-in with the kids on the day they went missing.” Robin crouched down and Rodney rested his paws on Robin’s leg. Crusher looked at them, looking as though she was thinking hard. And then softening slightly. Thank God for the dog, Robin thought. “Did you see anything on that day? Anything strange?” Robin said. “Anything that could maybe explain why what happened happened and maybe how. You were there—right by the boat that carried them through the tunnel.”

Crusher said nothing.

“Of course, I’ll give you full credit if I find anything. You and Rodney here could be responsible for a breakthrough. And there’ll be monetary compensation, of course.”

“Yes,” Crusher said slowly, “I was there.”

“There was nothing out of the ordinary?”

“No, there wasn’t. It was a canal boat, with a bunch of stupid kids on it. That was all.” Crusher smiled as if she knew something he didn’t. “And what makes you think I would tell you even if I did see something.”

Robin persisted, changing the question. There was something that didn’t add up. “Why did you not recognize Tim Claypath that day?”

“What?” Crusher’s vindictive tone was back.

“Matthew said that you didn’t know who Tim Claypath was, until he said it.”

Crusher breathed out of her nostrils so they grew to twice their normal size, and said through gritted teeth, “You talked to him? You talked to that psycho? Are you friends with him? Have you come to rescue him?”

“I’ve come to find the truth,” Robin said, surprised at his conviction.

“Well, you can go home, because the truth has already been found.”

“I don’t know about that.”

Crusher sized him up. “What else do you think you know?”

“I know that there was a rumor going around that Tim Claypath killed your cat. Back when he was in school.”

Crusher didn’t look surprised. In fact, she gave him absolutely nothing. “Well, ain’t you a nosy bastard.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about Mr. Sammy. In fact, I don’t want to talk to you about anything. Good day.” She started to go, but Robin blocked her. “You’re going to want to get out of my way. Now.” He couldn’t help feeling a little intimidated. The woman stared at him with a ferocity he had never seen matched. “I am well respected in this county and I will not be terrorized.”

“I’m not terrorizing you. I’m just asking a question.” Robin stood up.

“Mr. Sammy never hurt a soul. And then they find him out there in the woods without—They wouldn’t let me see him. Because of what he did.”

“Claypath?”

“Yes,” Crusher said, sadly. Rodney seemed to notice her tone and looked up at her, rubbing his head against her leg.