Page 23 of Spark
Laura's cause of death was multiple stab wounds combined with blunt-force trauma, and the newspaper reported that she had apparently put up a ferocious struggle before she died.
The article ended with a comment from someone who mentioned that the bridegroom’s family had been opposed to the match, implying that members of the Ornelas family were somehow involved in the murder.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, everyone, but the library’s closing in five minutes,” the librarian, Emma Barker, announced from the check-out desk at the front of the library.
Sophie hastily sent a copy of this final article to the same cloud folder as the other articles, then carefully extracted the plastic sheet containing archival images from the microfiche reader.
She returned the microfiche folder to Emma, then left the library.
Summer days in Bearpaw Ridge were long, and the sun was still high over the western peaks. She stopped next to the ornamental fountain that stood in a tiny plaza in front of the library’s entrance, and considered her next move.
* * *
Bearpaw Ridge Medical Center
Fifteen minutes later
“I’m sorry,” Dr. Nika said. “But Javier’s not allowed any visitors other than immediate family right now. I’m trying to keep him from talking for another day or two, so that his throat can finish healing.”
Sophie knew Dr. Veronika Medved-Swanson well. The beautiful, dark-haired bear shifter was Ash Swanson’s mate.
Sophie, Matt, and Chris had spent countless hours of their childhood and high school years hanging out at Ash and Nika’s house on the ranch, serving as beta testers for the latest video games developed by Ash’s company, Grizzly Creek Games.
Dr. Nika and Sophie were currently standing in the lobby of the Bearpaw Ridge Medical Center, one of the few shifter-focused hospitals and clinics in the US. It was located right on Main Street, not too far from the library.
The lobby was floored with polished gray stone tiles and furnished with comfortable leather chairs and sofas. A tasteful selection of paintings and sculptures by local artists were mounted on the walls and displayed in lighted niches.
After leaving the library, Sophie had walked over to the medical center with the intention of interviewing Javier Ornelas. She’d told the receptionist that she was working on an article and the receptionist had contacted Dr. Nika, who had promptly come down to talk to Sophie.
“So, his throat was injured? It wasn’t just an allergic reaction?” Sophie asked.
Dr. Nika smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss the details of his diagnosis and treatment with you. By law, I’m not permitted to disclose his health information without his consent.”
Sophie pursed her lips. “Could you please ask him if I could interview him, once he’s feeling better?”
“Absolutely,” Dr. Nika promised. She glanced up at the clock hanging behind the receptionists’ desk. “I need to finish my rounds now, but I’ll see you at Elle’s place tonight. I want to hear all about Todos Santos and your work for AIMM.”
Sophie made her goodbyes, and watched as Dr. Nika headed for the bank of elevators on the other side of the lobby.
She had just left the clinic and was walking back to where she’d parked her car, when she saw one of the town’s police officers emerging from a store just up the street.
“Annika!” Sophie called, waving.
Annika Tringstad stopped and waved back. She was a tall woman who looked like she was somewhere in her late thirties or early forties, with a short mop of curly brown hair. She had been part of the Bearpaw Ridge Police Department since before Sophie had come to Bearpaw Ridge, and Sophie knew her and liked her.
“Hey Sophie! I heard you were back. Nice to see you!”
“It’s great to see you, too, Annika,” Sophie replied.
“How was Todos Santos?” Annika asked, predictably.
Sophie had been asked this question so often over the past couple of days that she’d composed an answer that was longer than just saying, “It was fine,” but not so long as to be boring.
When she had finished her short spiel about the country being interesting but challenging, and the work really rewarding, she asked Annika what she’d been up to for the past year.
“Oh, pretty much the same as always,” Annika replied. “Working, wrangling the kids, you know. Roy and I did leave the kids with his parents and we spent a week on our own camping and hiking in Glacier National Park last month. That was a nice break.” She smiled. “And what are you up to, now that you’re home? Enjoying a nice summer vacation?”
“Mostly,” Sophie agreed, then saw her chance. “Caitlyn hired me as her intern, and I’m working on a story about the Bearpaw Springs Resort. I was wondering whether I could ask you a couple of questions about some things that have happened there. Strictly off the record, of course.”
