Part 5 (2/2)

The weeping sound was coming from two women who sat close together on one couch, and the whispers from two men on the opposite couch. They looked nothing alike, and yet it was evident at first glance that all four were the children of Lydia Tompkins.

Liam stepped forward. ”Im Liam Campbell of the Alaska state troopers. Who found her?

Prince frowned a little at his blunt question, but after a surrept.i.tious look at the expression on his face decided not to intervene.

One of the women blew her nose and rose to her feet. ”I did.

”And you are?

”Betsy Amakuk.

”Youre her daughter?

”We all are. I mean, this is my sister, Karen.

”Karen Tompkins, the other woman said, standing.

”And my brothers.

The brothers followed suit.

”Stan Tompkins.

”Jerry Tompkins.

Betsy was large and regal in clean blue jeans and a dark blue sweats.h.i.+rt with the boat name F/V Daisy Rose F/V Daisy Rose on the front. She wore pearl studs in her ears, her dark hair was immaculate, and her eyes and nose were red. Karen was pet.i.te and kittenish in hip-hugger cords and a cropped T-s.h.i.+rt. Her hair was short and streaked with gold and spiked with gel. Thin silver bracelets jangled from both wrists, and silver earrings touched her shoulders. Her belly b.u.t.ton was pierced, and her mascara had run. on the front. She wore pearl studs in her ears, her dark hair was immaculate, and her eyes and nose were red. Karen was pet.i.te and kittenish in hip-hugger cords and a cropped T-s.h.i.+rt. Her hair was short and streaked with gold and spiked with gel. Thin silver bracelets jangled from both wrists, and silver earrings touched her shoulders. Her belly b.u.t.ton was pierced, and her mascara had run.

Stan, burly, tanned and fit, looked at Liam out of a.s.sessing eyes. His haircut looked left over from the marines, and his Carhartts, though worn, were clean and well-kept, as was the brown plaid s.h.i.+rt beneath them. Jerry, on the other hand, was thin and nervous, with eyes that couldnt seem to stay focused on any one object for very long. He wore a dark blue windbreaker over a T-s.h.i.+rt with a large hole showing and a pair of jeans worn through at both knees.

They all looked to be in their late forties or early fifties, Betsy the eldest and, if he had to guess, Karen the youngest. He said to Betsy, ”What time did you find your mother?

”I dont know. She blew her nose again and looked at Stan. ”What time did I call you, Stan?

”About two oclock, I think.

”Did you call him the moment you found her?

”You understand, Prince said, ”we have to ask these questions, Mrs. Amakuk. Were very sorry for your loss.

Liam glared at her and she shut up. He repeated, ”Did you call your brother as soon as you found your mother?

”Yes. No. Wait. I No, I called the ambulance first. Her eyes filled again. ”Even though I knew it was no use. She was cold when I touched her.

Rigor had begun to set in. The house was cool. A murder before breakfast, then, most likely. ”Did you touch anything else?

”What? I... no. No, I dont think so.

”The stove wasnt on?

”No.

”Did you see anyone leaving the house as you arrived?

”No.

To Stan, Liam said, ”And you came as soon as Betsy called?

”Yes. Well, my wife had to come down to the boat to tell me Betsy had called and wanted me up to Moms.

To Betsy, Liam said, ”So actually you called Stans wife.

”No. Well, yes, she answered the phone at their house.

”You might want to ease up a little here, sir, Prince murmured from the background.

Liam, who knew he was being a jerk, didnt seem to be able to turn it off. ”Why, he said to Betsy, ”did you come to the house today?

A spark of anger glowed briefly in her eyes but she kept her voice level. ”I come by every afternoon for coffee.

Liam thought of the two mugs on the counter, the box of tea bags, the full kettle, the empty percolator. ”Your mother lived here alone?

”Yes. After Dad died, I wanted her to move in with us but she wouldnt. Said shed lived here for fifty-eight years and if she had another fifty-eight in her she wanted to live them in the same place.

All four siblings gave the same involuntary smile as Betsy called up the memory.

”Now let me ask you something, Mr. Campbell, Betsy said, drawing herself up to a height that allowed her to meet Liams eyes straight-on. ”Who did this to my mother?

”I dont know.

”But youll find out. It was a statement, not a question.

”Ill need to ask you all a lot more questions. I need to know what she did with her days, who her friends were ”A friend wouldnt do this!

Liam looked at Jerry, red-faced and teary-eyed. ”Can you all come down to the post this afternoon? The sooner we interview you, the sooner we can move the investigation forward.

He waited for their nods. ”Who were your mothers neighbors?

”There werent any close by, Stan said. ”One of the reasons we wanted her to move in with Becky. Jim Earl bought out old Eric the Red six years ago when Eric had to put his wife in the Pioneer Home. Thats the place north of here. The next house down belongs to the Isaacsons. He gave a dismissive wave. ”Outsiders, havent been in the country long. Mom barely knew them.

”Well talk to them all, Liam said. ”In the meantime, please leave the house as it is so we can have a chance to go through it.

”Why? Betsy said.

Liam, suddenly very tired, pulled off his cap and ran his hand through his hair. His scalp felt tight. ”We might find something that will lead us to who did this thing.

”Like what?

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