For now, she returned to her computer and paperwork.

An hour or so later, papers rustled and Nester rushed up to her doorway. “I’ve got it. It was weak, but I’ve got it.”

She looked up and let her eyes focus on him. “What?”

“When I talked to Christine Franklin’s brother, he mentioned that she had gone on a date with his friend a while back, a guy named Joe Mush. No criminal record or problems, but I tracked him down to talk to him. He was at a trade show, confirmed by cameras, during the time of death for Sharon Lamber, and out of the country during time of death for Charlene Rox, so he’s not a suspect. But I wondered if he knew anything. Spoke to him about half an hour ago, and he did mention that Christine Franklin had just invested in a property. He’s an avid fisherman, so he asked her quite a few questions. I think he was hoping for an invite this coming spring.”

Laurel was out of her chair and around her desk in a moment. “Property? Why didn’t we find it?”

“It hasn’t closed yet. But he gave me the fishing stats for the river it’s next to, and I dug deep from there. Called two of the local realtors, and one pointed me in the right direction. I’m sending the coordinates to you right now.” Nester slapped the doorframe twice and turned to run back to his computer room.

Calling the realtors? That was brilliant. Laurel grabbed her heaviest coat off the hook, shoved her feet in her boots, and ran into the hallway. “Call Huck.”

“Already on it,” Nester yelled.

Could they find Christine? Laurel bustled down the stairs while drawing on the parka and yanking the gloves free of the pockets. She nearly collided with Huck as he opened the outside door.

“The Huey is on the ground refueling and will wait for us. Let’s go.” He ran to his truck while she did the same, and the five-minute drive to the small airport was made in silence.

Laurel was out of the truck before he’d slid to a complete stop, ducking her head and running full bore for the waiting chopper. The pilot was a gray-haired man wearing a Fish and Wildlife uniform, and he opened the back door for her, handing her a set of headphones. She shoved them on, settled into the leather seat, and waited as Huck jumped into the seat in front of her.

Within seconds, they were lifting into the air.

Her stomach dropped as it always did. Flying was not one of her comforts. Even so, she scooted as close to the window as possible, staring outside at the bright day. The sky was clear again, today a cerulean blue with the sun shining below on the sparkling snow. Beautiful and cold.