Sandra Ruttan - The Frailty of Flesh

Daylight had been waning during the drive to the Daly home, and by the time Luke and Craig returned to the station it was dark. Some said in Vancouver in December there really wasnt any such thing as day, only varying shades of gray and black. No matter what you called the hours that werent black you knew when night had come. Unlike the prairies, where light could linger in the sky hours after the sun had officially set, in the GVA any light that remained was artificial. The darkness was the kind that hung heavily, like a blanket over the sky.

Craig cut the engine and got out of the vehicle. It wasnt until he started to follow Luke inside that he saw the figure emerge from the shadows. She stopped him by the sidewalk, in a well-lit area not far from the entrance to the building.

Youre a hard man to track down, she said.

He didnt need to ask who she was. The voice was enough.

I have a report to write, Ms. Fenton. I dont have time for this.

Thats fine. Ill wait. She smiled. Once youre finished your paperwork maybe youll be able to give me something on the break-in as well.

He stopped walking and looked at Luke. Go ahead. Ill just be a minute.

Luke glanced at the reporter for a split second, then turned and continued walking to the building without comment.

Craig waited until Luke had put some distance between them but still lowered his voice. How do you know about that?

How does a reporter ever know about anything? She smiled. From what he could tell the hair tucked under her beret was a lighter shade of strawberry blond and she had a few freckles on her cheeks, wide blue eyes, not a lot of makeup. He guessed she wasnt much more than five feet tall, which added to the overall impression. She didnt seem threatening.

But she was still a reporter, and Craig had had his share of run-ins in the aftermath of Loris death and his own shooting. He heard another vehicle pull up, the engine stop, the doors open. The longer he stood there the more people who would see him talking to a reporter, and the more likely Zidani would hear about itWhat do you want, Ms. Fenton?

The smile slipped from her face, but she didnt look angry. Instead, the corners of her eyes dropped just enough for her to look hurt. Just let me talk. Hear what I have to say. If you still decide you dont want to commentshe held up her handsno problem. What have you got to lose? Let me buy you dinner.

That was when he realized the footsteps had stopped. He looked up as Tain reached for Ashlyns arm, tilting his head toward the door. Ashlyn stood frozen for a moment, looking from Emma to Craig before letting Tain lead her inside.

Look, Ive already told you I didnt even work this case. And I dont know how you heard about the break-in, but thats hardly front-page news. A few dozen homes are broken into every day in the GVA.

But how many of those homes are owned by a ranking RCMP officer who just happened to get promoted after closing a high-profile murder investigation, the same murder investigation that is now under review? Word is, Donny Lockridge plans to file a lawsuit against your father over his wrongful conviction

Alleged wrongful conviction. He was put on trial and convicted by a jury. That wouldnt have happened if there wasnt evidence to support it.

She smiled. See? Were talking and you werent struck by lightning. It probably didnt even hurt.

Craig blew out a breath and ran his hand over his head, pushing his hair back before pointing at her. Look, Im sure youre a nice person, dont take it personally. But youre jumping to conclusions without facts and printing such speculation would be irresponsible and unprofessional.

Which is why Im here, talking to you, trying to find out what did happen. Dont you want to know? Arent you curious? She looked him in the eye. Is there any part of you that doubts Donny Lockridge murdered Hope Harrington?

How can I answer that? Ive hardly even had a chance to look at the files.

Craig almost groaned when she smiled. So, you admit youre looking into this?

He raised his hand to stop her. I am reviewing the case only because I have been ordered to. It has nothing to do with my father, the break-in, you, Lockridges lawyer or anything else.

Craig started to walk to the building, but she wasnt deterred from following him. Is that why you met with Lisa Harrington today?

He grabbed the door and didnt even acknowledge her question with a glance as he marched into the building, thankful that she had enough sense not to follow him any farther.

Ill catch up in a minute. Ashlyn pushed the door to the ladies room open and disappeared inside.

Tain paused. Should he wait, make sure she was okay? Theyd had a long, hard day with little to show for their efforts, but he hadnt seen her shoulders sag so low since theyd been working almost around the clock on the child abductions and murders. The angel arsons, as the press called them.

He continued down the hall, knowing how shed react if he checked up on her. Still, he wondered about Craig and the woman outside. Ashlyn had never been the jealous type. Then again, as far as he knew, Craig had never given her reason to be. His own instincts told him that whoever the woman outside was, she was far more interested in Craig than he was in her. The bit of their exchange hed heard had been strained, the woman trying to sound casual, pleasant, but Craigs posture had been tense and hed looked agitated.

Did you get it?

Tain looked up and almost wished he hadnt. Zidani was nodding at Luke Geller, whatever response he had kept low enough that Tain couldnt make out the words.

They were in an adjoining hallway, not the one Tain needed to go down. He just hoped they were too busy with their chat to notice him.

A small stack of notes waited on his desk. Updates from various officers following leads on the case. So far, no luck anywhere. Shannon hadnt been seen at school. Her friends had been questioned but hadnt offered anything useful. The 911 call had been tracked down, with the tape sent to Zidani, but they hadnt gotten any useful prints from the phone. Nothing that would allow for an identification that would stand up in court.

He clipped the notes together and put them on his in tray.

Ashlyn entered the room and stopped at the cooler to pour a cup of water. Tain watched her push her hair back from her pale face and take a sip. After a few gulps she dropped the cup into the wastebasket and walked to her desk, which faced his.

She dropped into her chair, propped her elbows on the desk, let her head fall into her hands and rubbed her temples with her fingers.

Tain pulled a bottle from the top drawer of his desk and passed it to her. Here. Ill get you another drink.

She wasnt lacking the energy to glare at him. Im fine.

Ash

He was familiar with the look she was giving him. The one that said Im not a child. I can take care of myself. He forced a look of contrition. You sure?

She straightened up, forcing her body to hold the weight of her head as she dropped her hands. Im good.

He lowered his voice. Just a word of warning, that headaches about to get worse.

Her eyes narrowed and then closed when she heard the words My office. Now.

Zidani waited for them instead of letting them follow him, which meant they had no time to come up with excuses. He walked behind them and as soon as hed followed them into his office he told Tain to shut the door.

They werent invited to sit down.

Zidani passed a note to Ashlyn, who took it without comment. No teachers, staff, volunteers, students or parents of students are to be questioned on school property without making arrangements with the principal and the schools lawyer. He sat down in his chair, leaned back and smiled. Tell me something I want to hear.