William Kent Krueger - Heavens Keep

I often begin a novel nearly blind and its only through the guidance of others that I find my way. In the writing of this book, I was guided much and well.

Thank you, first of all, to my editor at Atria Books, Sarah Branham, whose eye is true and whose suggestions are always dead-on. Thanks also to the early readers at Browne & MillerDanielle, Joanna, and Alecwho flagged the problems with structure, language, and logic and helped me, as much as I was able, to banish those troublemakers. And as always, a big thanks to all the members of Crme de la Crime.

I owe a tremendous debt to the experts: Philip Donlay, professional pilot and fine thriller writer; Lt. Col. Keith Flanagan of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol; and Jeff Cohen, developer extraordinaire. Thanks, guys, for your expertise and your generosity.

Finally, Id like to thank the people of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, for letting me take suspenseful liberties with their wonderful community, and also the people of the state of Wyoming, particularly the residents of Cody, Thermopolis, and Dubois, for their hospitality and for the stories, true or not, that they shared with me about the remarkable landscape they call home.

After Stevie took off for school that morning, Cork OConnor left the house. He headed to the sheriffs department on Oak Street, parked in the visitors area, and went inside. Jim Pendergast was on the contact desk, and he buzzed Cork through the security door.

Sheriffs expecting you, Pendergast said. Good luck.

Cork crossed the common area and approached the office that not many years before had been his. The door was open. Sheriff Marsha Dross sat at her desk. The sky outside her windows was oddly blue for November, and sunlight poured through the panes with a cheery energy. He knocked on the doorframe. Dross looked up from the documents in front of her and smiled.

Morning, Cork. Come on in. Shut the door behind you.

Mind if I hang it? Cork asked, shedding his leather jacket.

No, go right ahead.

Dross had an antique coat tree beside the door, one of the many nice touches shed brought to the place. A few plants, well tended. Photos on the walls, gorgeous North Country shots shed taken herself and had framed. Shed had the office painted a soft desert tan, a color Cork would never have chosen, but it worked.

Sit down, she said.

He took the old maple armchair that Dross had picked up at an estate sale and refinished herself. Thanks for seeing me so early.

No problem. Jo get off okay?

Yeah, yesterday. She and LeDuc flew out together. They stayed in Casper last night. Due in Seattle today.

You and Stevie are bachelors for a few days, then?

Well manage.

Dross folded her hands on her desk. I dont have an application from you yet, so I cant really consider this a formal interview.

You know those exploratory committees they form for presidential candidates? This is more like that.

Cork had hired her years ago when he was sheriff, and shed become the first woman ever to wear the uniform of the Tamarack County Sheriffs Department. Shed proven to be a good law officer, and when the opportunity had come her way, shed put her hat in the ring, run for sheriff, and won easily. In Corks estimation, shed filled that office well. She was in her late thirties, with red-brown hair, which she wore short, no makeup.

Okay, she said. So explore.

Would you consider me seriously for the position?

If you apply, youll be the most experienced applicant.

And the oldest.

We dont discriminate on the basis of age.

Ill be fifty-one this year.

And the man youd replace is sixty-three. Cy Borkmans been a fine deputy right up to the end. So Im guessing you might have a few good years left in you, too. She smiled, paused. How would you feel taking orders from an officer you trained?

I trained that officer pretty well. So no problem there. How would you feel giving orders to the guy who trained you?

Let me worry about that one. She lost her smile and leveled at him a straight look that lasted an uncomfortably long time. You told me a year and a half ago, after the shootings at the high school, that you would never carry a firearm again.

No. I told you I would never fire one at another human being.

Does that mean youd be willing to carry?

If required.

The job definitely requires it.

In England the cops dont carry.

This isnt England. And you carry with the understanding that someday you might have to use your firearm. Thats why all our deputies certify on the range once a year. Your rule, remember?

How many times since you put on that badge have you cleared your holster and fired?

Yesterday is no predictor of tomorrow. And, Cork, the officers you work with need to believe youre willing to cover their backs, whatever it takes. Christ, you know that. She sat back, looking frankly puzzled. Why do you want this job? Is it the litigation?

The lawsuits draining me, he admitted.

Youve built a good reputation here as a PI.

Cant spend a reputation. I need a job that brings in a regular income.

Whatll you do about Sams Place?

Unless I win the litigation, there wont be a Sams Place. And unless I can pay for it, there wont be a litigation.

And if you win the lawsuit, are you out of here again? Ive got to tell you, Cork, youve been in and out of uniform more times than a kid playing dress-up.

I was never playing.

She looked away, out her window at the gorgeous November sky and the liquid sun that made everything drip yellow. Ive got a dozen qualified applicants wanting Cys job, young guys itching for experience. I hire one of them, hell be with me for years. I can start him out at a salary thatll be healthy for my budget. I can assign him the worst shifts and he wont complain.

Did I ever complain?

Let me finish. The feeling around here is that I ought to hire you. Youre clearly the popular choice. Hell, you brought most of our officers into the department yourself. These guys love you. But I have to look beyond the question of how well youd fit in here. I have to think about the future of this force. And I also have to think about the welfare of the officer I hire. She gave him another long, direct look. Whats Jo think about this?

That its not the best idea Ive ever had.

An understatement on her part, Im sure.

This is between you and me, Marsha.

Until I run into Jo in the produce aisle at the IGA. I cant imagine that would be pretty.

Youre saying you wouldnt be inclined to hire me?

Im saying we both probably have better options.

It was Corks turn to eye the promising blue sky. I dont know anything but law enforcement.

I heard the new casino management firm might be looking for someone to head up security.

All paperwork, Cork said.

Sixty percent of what we do here is paperwork.

I guess I have my answer. Cork stood up. Thanks for seeing me, Marsha.

They shook hands without another word. Cork headed out, passed the contact desk, where Pendergast gave him a thumbs-up.

Cy Borkmans enormous butt ate the stool he sat on. Coffee, Janice, he said to the young woman who was serving the counter at Johnnys Pinewood Broiler. He looked at Cork, who, until Cy arrived, had been sitting alone. So, what did Marsha say?

That although she might be tempted, she wouldnt actually burn my application.

Come on. What did she say?

Cork sipped his coffee. She encouraged me to pursue other career options.

She say why?

To make way for youth.

Janice brought Borkmans coffee and asked him, Anything else?

Yeah. Two eggs over easy, patty sausage, hash browns, and wheat toast.