“I’m sure.” His gaze traveled over Ridley and Tanner. “And your friends are?”
“Cy Tanner and Agnes Ridley. Cy lives in the house where Agent Pine grew up.”
Laredo shot Blum a glance.
“Yes, Agent Laredo, that’s why we’re here. At least it was the original reason. Then these murders started.”
“Okay. You made any progress on…the other thing?”
“Some. But still a long road ahead. And right now I better catch up with my boss.”
She rose, said good night to Tanner and Ridley, and left.
Blum didn’t have far to travel because Pine was sitting on a bench just outside. She rose when Blum came out.
“You all done in there?” said Pine.
“I am. You didn’t have to wait for me.”
“No problem. I could use the company.”
They started to walk back to the Cottage.
“So, Eddie Laredo,” began Blum. “You have any desire to get into that?”
“Not really and there’s not much to tell.”
“You have a tendency to understate things.”
“We worked together and then I transferred out.”
“He knew you were in Shattered Rock.”
Pine didn’t comment on that. “He’s a good agent. We just didn’t see eye to eye on everything.” She glanced at her companion. “Anything else I need to know?”
“I introduced Cy and Agnes. Told him that Cy is living in your old house.”
“And?”
“And I threw out a line designed to show how much he knew about…you.”
“And?”
“And it seems to me that he knows why you came here.”
Pine nodded slowly.
“Did you confide in him way back when?”
“No, but my personal history isn’t a secret, Carol. You just have to Google me.”
“So he would just put two and two together.”
“That’s what he’s trained to do.”
“Did you know he might be coming down when you suggested that Wallis call in the Bureau?”
Pine shook her head. “Unlike Laredo with my career, I didn’t keep up with his. I didn’t know he was still at Unit Four.”
“So he’s been there awhile?”
“Unless he transferred out and then back at some point. That happens. I left BAU because it took me out of the trenches. I’ll use their expertise, but then I want to nail the bad guys myself.”
“Well, now he’s here. Are you really going to just turn it all over to him and take a step back? That’s not like you.”
“I have no say in the matter, Carol. I’m here technically on vacation. And no matter what Detective Wallis says or wants, I haven’t been assigned to work this case. And you know the Bureau is a stickler for the rules and agents staying in their lanes.”
“But if Laredo asked you to keep working it?”
She shot Blum a glance. “Why? Did he say he was going to?”
“He didn’t really say anything about it. I just meant if he does.”
Pine shrugged. “I’ll cross that bridge if I have to. We’ve got other things to occupy us.”
“Okay, what’s next on your sister’s case?” asked Blum.
“We have lots of material and leads. The biggest thing for me is I don’t think people are being straight with us. Lineberry, the Pringles. Even Lauren Graham seems to be keeping stuff back.”
“Then you’re maybe talking a conspiracy. If they’re all involved in it. Whatever it is.”
“I just have the belief that people are not being forthcoming with us. And one of the main reasons to do that is to hide something. But what would they be hiding? Something to do with my sister’s disappearance? What would be their motive? They all seemed to genuinely like and care for my parents.”
“It doesn’t make sense. But then we’re back to a stranger’s having done it. And that person could be long gone now. Or even dead.” She looked at Pine. “What if you can’t get closure?”
“I always set the bar high for a purpose, Carol. I don’t like underperforming.”
“But this might not be in your control. In fact, much of it is not.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
They reached the Cottage and went inside.
“I noticed Agent Laredo had no wedding band on,” said Blum.
“Why did you notice that particularly?”
“I just do. And I think a lot of other women do, too.”
Pine shrugged. “He was married when I knew him. Maybe he got divorced.”
“That happens a lot with the Bureau.”
“It’s an unforgiving occupation. And a lonely one for spouses.”
“Is that why you never took the plunge?” asked Blum.
“No, I never found the right guy.”
“There are some out there.”
“Sure there are. They just never came my way.”
Pine headed up to her room.
Blum did not follow. She stood there at the bottom of the steps and made an executive decision.