They reached the empty parking lot. Bennett pulled into a spot near the entrance and they both got out. Kala looked around, then crossed the lot with Bennett following behind her. She crouched down, looking for tire marks. She was disappointed but not surprised that any evidence was long gone.
“Do you see something?” Bennett squatted down in the snow next to her.
“Susan Halliday told me she parked here at the north end and another vehicle parked next to her while she was skiing. She never saw the driver.”
Kala looked around the flat expanse of open space. It was bordered by a wooden fence of rough logs tied horizontally that held back the thick woods. A packed cross-country ski trail snaked into the trees from an opening in the fence. Looking up, the blue sky was a dome hinged by the tops of conifer trees on all sides. Heavy, grey clouds had begun gathering over the western perimeter and she sensed more snow coming, likely by nightfall. She thought again of how the weather changed quickly in the Ottawa Valley, not like in the North where storms took their time coming and going. She tried to imagine Susan out here alone with evening falling.
“There’s nothing left to see from her visit. The lot was plowed since she was here.” Kala stood and looked toward the woods. “Why would someone park right next to her when the lot was empty? Why would they even be up here if they weren’t going skiing?”
“Do you think she was followed?”
“Maybe. Someone could have taken the opportunity to strand her out here. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who would drive into the Gatineau Hills and not notice she was out of gas. She said that she’s been forgetful, but how many people really let the tank get that low? It’s something you check automatically. Especially if you’re the only driver. You gauge how much time between fill ups.” Kala looked back at the entrance to the parking area. “You’d have to know this spot was here or have followed her. Maybe somebody was waiting outside her house. Why would they do that is the question. Why would somebody set out to hurt her?”
“It’s easy enough to siphon gas if you have the time. Somebody would have had the privacy to do it unseen up here in the middle of nowhere.”
Kala took another look around. “It’s a peaceful place but there’s something ominous about it too. The spirits aren’t all happy here.”
Bennett looked at her oddly. “There was a rape just over there by the path a few summers ago. It made a lot of people scared to use the bike paths.”
“Did they catch him?”
“No.”
Kala suddenly couldn’t wait to get away from this isolated place. “You ready to leave?”
Bennett pulled the keys out his pocket. He took a final look around. “Yeah. Looks like we’re not going to learn anything here unless one of those spirits decides to start talking.”
28
Friday, December 30, 2:40 p.m.
This time, Susan Halliday was the one who answered the door. She’d made an attempt to fix her hair and had applied make up that gave an artificial rosiness to her cheeks and lips. A bright red mohair sweater hung loosely on her thin frame, topping tight black pants. Kala was impressed with Susan’s natural grace although she doubted Susan was aware of her beauty. Women approaching sixty were made to feel unattractive because of their lined faces and aging skin. There was an apologetic air about Susan as if she was afraid of offending by her very presence. However, it wasn’t enough to extinguish the inner light when her tawny eyes found Kala’s. A self-effacing smile spread across Susan’s face.
“I know why you’ve come, but I’m fine. I’m embarrassed for causing so much trouble. Clinton has made me promise not to go anywhere again unless I first check the gas level.”
“Speaking of your husband, is he home?” asked Kala.
“No, he’s gone to get his hair cut and to pick up a few things for supper. I expect him back in a few hours.”
Kala glanced at Bennett and he nodded.
“I’ll just go make those calls if you don’t mind me in your kitchen. That way I won’t disturb you,” said Bennett.
“Of course,” said Susan. “Help yourself to tea. I just made a pot and it’s on the stove.” She looked at Kala. “Would you like some?”
“Tea would be lovely.”
A few minutes later, they were sitting across from each other with mugs of tea in hand as if they were girlfriends having a chat. Susan tucked her feet under her.
“So you’re feeling better?” Kala asked.
“Yes. My hands and feet are fine. I wasn’t in the woods long enough for any lasting damage. I was very lucky that ranger came along when he did.”
“Have you recalled any details of that afternoon?”
Susan shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
“Did you find the credit card receipt for your last gas purchase?”
“I was mistaken. I paid cash the last time I bought gas.”
“Do you normally pay cash?”
“Not as a rule, but I’m very sloppy about my record-keeping I’m afraid. I remembered after leaving the hospital that I paid cash because I’d forgotten my credit card at home. I just got careless about keeping track. I was driving more than usual, getting ready for Christmas, and then I became distracted with Tom Underwood’s death.”
“Any receipt of the cash payment?”
“No. I must have tossed it.” She laughed lightly. “You must wonder how I’ve managed to survive this long.”
“On the contrary. Has Clinton shared with you where he was that day that you went into the Gatineau Hills?”
“He left the base in Trenton mid-morning and was on his way home. He wanted to surprise me.”
“We checked and he left close to seven thirty. It’s a four hour drive so he would have been home before noon. You told us that you set out for the park after one o’clock.”
Susan took a sip of tea. Her hand shook slightly when she lowered the mug but her voice was firm. “He stopped for breakfast in Gananoque. He told me that service was slow because a tour bus arrived just before he ordered. Really, officer, I know what you’re getting at, but you are completely mistaken.”
“Mrs. Halliday, I need to ask, how are things between you and your husband? Has he ever been violent with you?”
Susan forcefully shook her head. “He would never have done this to me. Never. I was just careless.”
“If not your husband, perhaps you know of someone else? They may be the person who murdered Tom Underwood.”
“I don’t know of anyone. Tom had to have been killed by a stranger or someone from his work life. I don’t know which would be worse.” She drew her fist up to her mouth and closed her eyes.
Kala studied her. Should she continue to push? Susan was shielding someone and her money was on Clinton. She reached into her pocket. “I’m going to give you my cellphone number. You can call me anytime, day or night, and I’ll come. If you feel like talking, I’m a good listener. I want to help you.”
Susan opened her eyes. They were filled with pain but also resolve. “Thank you, officer, but I’m certain I’ll be fine.” She took the card and tucked it into her pocket. “Now, if that is all, I would like to rest. It’s been a long, tiring week.”
“Of course. Please contact me if you