to be angry at Miriama. A little shocked, yes, but in the end, the child would’ve tied him and Miriama even closer together. And, according to her journal, he’d already shown a willingness to be a father.
But what if it hadn’t been Dominic’s baby?
Will had no easy answers—because Miriama had written nothing about the baby in her journal. Not even in relation to how the pregnancy might affect her internship. Either she hadn’t known… or that was the secret she’d obliquely mentioned at one point: I’ve become so good at keeping secrets. Until I can’t even write some things here, in a place no one else will ever look.
He got to his feet. “Thank you. I need to talk to some people, get those samples for you.” It was as he was putting his jacket back on that he felt the evidence bag inside. “I bagged her hairbrush for you.” It didn’t matter if everyone knew this was Miriama, they had to have official confirmation. Given the condition of the body, that meant DNA testing.
Ankita accepted the package, then walked him out to the car park.
As they stood in the dark lit by yellow lamps blurred by the now-misty rain, she looked up at him. “I can’t officially make the accident or homicide call, but I trust your instincts. I hope you find the bastard who did this to her—all that potential, all that life just snuffed out. No one has the right to do that.”
“I’ll call you if anything breaks,” he said, keeping a tight lid on his own anger. “Her aunt will be here soon.” He knew that without having to check. “Will you make sure Miriama isn’t alone until then?”
Ankita nodded. “I expected as much. She doesn’t need to see the body, Will.” Tired, empathic eyes. “I’ll speak with her, find a less traumatic way she can say good-bye.”
“Thanks, Ankita.” Getting into his car after a final handshake, he watched Ankita return inside, then picked up his phone to call Anahera. “How are things?”
He could hear noises in the background, the sounds of people talking. It was no surprise when she said, “Town’s gathered in the firehouse. Matilda wanted people to talk about Miriama, celebrate her life. She gave me permission to share the news and told me to ask that everyone get together.” She took a breath. “Liaison officer got us clearance to do a karakia on the beach where I pulled her out of the water. Matilda left soon after.”
Prayer, Will knew, was important to Matilda. Being able to offer one at the site would’ve given her a small outlet for her grief. “Who’s with her?”
“A group of her closest friends. I’m handling the gathering—after, I’m going over to Josie’s.”
Will started up his engine. “I’m on my way back. If things break up before I get there, make sure you have an escort back to Josie’s—Matthew, the Lees, the Duncans, none of their names have come up in the investigation.” He hesitated before saying, “Don’t get into Tom’s van.”
A sucked-in breath on the other end. “You can’t just drop that bomb on me and not say anything else.”
“I found out something in his past that worries me, but right now, he’s not any higher on the list than anyone else. Avoid Peter Jacobs, too.” The mechanic might have an alibi for Miriama’s death, but the skeletal remains were another matter—and Will hadn’t forgotten how Peter’s name had come up in an American rape investigation.
“Is Josie in danger?” Anahera demanded. “Her son?”
“No.” Anahera’s best friend fell outside the profile. “I’m being cautious, Ana. If I’m wrong, Josie never has to know anything.”
“Fine,” Anahera said at last, her tone clipped. “I wonder if I’ll trust anyone by the time this is over.”
Staring out at the bleak scene outside, Will thought of broken bones and missing flesh and a woman who’d never smile again. “Don’t go to the cabin.”
“No need for orders, cop. I’ve got no intention of ending up another victim.”
Though she didn’t ask him about Miriama, he could feel the questions on her lips. And he knew he’d probably break confidentiality and share what he’d learned. He could tell himself it was for a practical purpose—because while he remained an outsider to many, Anahera was a local. People who wouldn’t necessarily talk to him with total frankness would talk to her.
But the truth was that he talked to her because he wanted to talk to her, wanted to get her input. A dangerous thing to think