Archie looked back down the hall through the open door a dozen feet away where Henry lay dying. They were jamming a metal shoehorn into his mouth, and then guiding a tube down his throat. The oxygen flowed. Henry’s chest rose and then fell as the machine on the other end of the tube began to breathe for him. It almost made him look like he was alive.

Chapter 13

CHAPTER

13

Susan, Claire, Archie, Robbins, and Portland’s chief of police, Robert Eaton, were hunkered down in Archie’s ER room, where Archie had been ordered back under his heating blanket.

Every time the nurse came in to check on Archie they all had to shift their position to make room.

Susan was eating a packet of saltines that she’d found in one of the supply drawers under the sink. It was maybe the best food she’d ever had.

Robbins and Archie had just briefed the chief on their theory, which, when said aloud, didn’t amount to much, and created more questions than answers.

Susan liked Chief Eaton. He was small, maybe five-four, but didn’t seem that bothered by it. And he’d let Archie go back to work after his two-month stay at the psych ward, which must have required cutting through some red tape.

He rubbed his face with his hand. Looked at Archie. Looked at Robbins. And then rubbed his face again.

“Six houses just slid down the West Hills,” he said. “Eleven dead. The river is still rising. I-5 is closed at Chehalis. Oregon City and Tillamook are flooding. You do not breathe a word of this. You get your team on it. Bring in whomever you need. But try to do it quietly. And keep me posted.”

He started for the door and stopped in front of Claire, who was sitting in a plastic chair next to Susan.

“I’m sorry about Henry,” he said to her.

“He’s a good cop,” Claire said.

“Cut the crap, Claire,” Eaton said. “Everyone knows about you two.”

“Yes, sir.”

He put his hat on. It was covered with clear plastic to protect it from the rain. “Take care of yourself, everyone,” he said, and went out the door.

Claire brought her hands to her face. “Shit,” she said through her fingers. “I left that guy handcuffed to the bench.” She dropped her hands and stood up. “I need to make a call,” she announced, stepping out of the room.

Archie raised his eyebrows at Susan.

She knew when to change the subject. “How long will Henry’s tox screen take?” she asked Robbins.