“But … if Elsie didn’t stab Pauline, why didn’t she just immediately call an ambulance for her when she saw her poor condition? Why didn’t she call the police? And who buried Pauline?”

“What are you saying?”

“I think that Elsie probably had something to do with it. But there was also someone else involved. Either Elsie felt the need to protect the second party or she was scared of him.”

“Who’s the second party?”

“Bertram Lanz is certainly up there. But given the brutal nature of the crime, we need to consider Brock Baer.”

“Which is exactly what we’re doing,” Decker said. “What we need is a recent link between Baer and Corbett. I know that Jake Quay showed Pauline Corbett’s picture around. But now, Corbett’s death is our case. When we go to Baniff, we need to show Corbett’s picture and Brock Baer’s picture around the town and see if anyone remembers them hanging together.”

“That’s actually a good idea. How much cooperation are we getting from Quay, do you think?”

“He sounded eager. Hopefully, he’ll get clearance from his captain. Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”

They were in front of the restaurant. McAdams checked his watch. “Food is probably not ready yet. I’ll go in and wait.”

“Let’s walk some more, Harvard. The exercise feels good.” With that, they continued to stroll around the area.

McAdams picked up the conversation. “In my mind, Elsie Schulung’s still in the hot seat. Why has she disappeared?”

“Maybe she disappeared because she’s dead.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because Pauline’s dead.” Decker shrugged. “Maybe someone killed both of them. And since Bertram disappeared, he’s also in the hot seat.”

“Do you think he’s capable of burying two bodies?”

“Don’t know, Tyler, but from his police record in Germany, we know that he isn’t afraid to use his fists.”

“Why would he kill Elsie?” McAdams said. “Everyone said they were friends.”

Decker threw up his arms. “Maybe Pauline’s death has nothing to do with Elsie’s disappearance.”

“Except that Elsie’s car was found near Pauline’s body.”

“Too close to be a coincidence,” Decker said. “If Elsie is dead, where is her crime scene? It certainly wasn’t at her house. Forensics went over it thoroughly.”

McAdams said, “And if Baer is responsible for Pauline’s death and Elsie’s disappearance, how does Bertram Lanz fit in? He disappeared very close to where we found Elsie’s car. That’s too much of a coincidence as well.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Deck, as of about a month ago, Kathrine Taylor’s parents told you that Bertram and Kathrine were in Germany. You’ve always said to me that you believe that Elsie was with them. Why would you suddenly think Elsie was dead?”