He also tells her that lesser gunshots have killed people instantly.

Hurt shrugs. “He was unusually strong,” he says.

“So was Pearl Jenkins,” Kateri says.

“Strip search found deep wounds on Metzger,” Hurt says. “Poorly stitched and healing badly. Probably because he was afraid to report it.”

“There was definitely a struggle.”

“From blunt force,” he adds, “and stabbing.”

“All that blood,” Kateri says.

“He came to attack her,” Hurt says, “and she kicked his ass.”

The following morning, Meghan Miller arrives, shining like a girl from a magazine, Kateri thinks, in her cashmere sweater. She seems neither distraught nor surprised. Hurt takes her to the room where they interrogated Shannon, which seems rural and shabby and run-down all around Meghan. She barely sits in the flowered chair, her slim bottom just perched at the edge of the cushion.

“I’m sorry to inform you of your husband’s death,” Hurt says. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”

Meghan nods, her jaw tight, her lips straight.

“If you’re ready to speak with us,” Kateri says, “we’re hoping you can shed some light on the situation.”

“It’s fine,” Meghan says. She shakes her hair back and lifts her chin. “I knew Bear wanted the property in the woods,” she says. “It’s a huge piece of land; he was going to make millions off of it. I didn’t know he had plotted to kill someone over it,” she says. “We’re not exactly in touch,” she adds.

“You’re not aware of any connection between Bear and Pearl Jenkins?” Kateri asks.

“Not other than the land,” Meghan answers.

“What about Shannon Jenkins?” Hurt asks.

“Is that who he is?” Meghan asks, and then offers a dry, bitter laugh. “Of course,” she says.

“Why of course?” Kateri asks.

“It’s just like him,” Meghan says, and shrugs one delicate shoulder. “He can’t just have what he wants. He knows he can have anything. He can buy anything,” she says. “He’s got to make someone else pay, though,” she says. “It’s never a straight shot with Bear.”

Kateri watches Hurt write something down in a slanted, practiced cursive.

“Where is he?” Meghan asks.

“Released on bail,” Kateri says.

Meghan rolls her eyes. “He didn’t do anything,” she says.

“Do you know that?” Hurt asks her.

“No,” Meghan says. “I don’t have to. I know what Bear’s capable of. I saw that look in that kid’s eye the second I met him. He fucks you into submission and he keeps you there with money and trinkets and cars,” Meghan says. “Except that poor kid probably actually had feelings for him.”

The room goes quiet, and Kateri can hear the tick of the wall clock, Hurt’s breathing.

Meghan closes her eyes, then, and covers her mouth with her hand, on which she still wears a large, elaborate wedding ring. Kateri sees a sheet of tears slip from under Meghan’s eyelashes and wash down her face.

“Mrs. Miller,” Kateri says, and tries to offer her a box of Kleenex in support, but Meghan swats her away.