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  It was a rhetorical question; Erin wasn’t finished. “We checked with Legal Aid in a couple more towns around here—Rhinelander, Eagle River, Woodruff—and found nine more elderly people in the same fix. Turns out Calverson sent fliers to all the old folks getting government benefits, encouraging the direct deposit of their monthly checks and touting the wonderful loans they could get.”

  “Erin,” said Lew, “there is nothing the Loon Lake Police can do about this. Bank fraud is a federal crime—not under our jurisdiction. You need the F.B.I. But I must warn you that if the small print on the documents you have there—”

  “I know, I know. I’m working with some of my colleagues at Legal Aid who know more about financial issues to draw up a formal complaint, but that takes time. Meanwhile people like Dolores are at the mercy of this man.”

  “Can she close her account?”

  “Not until she pays what she owes—but I am working on canceling her direct deposit. Chief Ferris, the guy’s a creep. Even if you can’t do anything, I feel you should know what he’s up to. I mean, hey, you keep track of the drug dealers, may as well keep track of this guy, don’t you think?”

  “You’re right. We do need to know this is happening. But, again, it’s the FBI who really needs to know.”

  “Any Loon Lake residents doing business with this firm?” asked Osborne.

  “That’s why I’m here, Dad. Old Mr. Gilley and Mrs. Schradtke. Mr. Gilley’s too embarrassed to file a complaint and Mrs. Schradtke’s short term memory problems are making it very difficult to help her. Her neighbor is the one who called us.”

  “Wait. Are we talking about Bobby Schradtke’s mother?” Lew asked.

  “Yes,” said Erin, getting to her feet and slipping the papers back into her briefcase.

  “Keep me informed on this, will you please?” asked Lew.

  “Sure. Thanks for listening,” said Erin.

  After she left the office, Osborne turned to Lew. “Well, that was interesting.”

  “Interesting and frustrating. I sure wish there was more that this department could do for those older folks …” Lew shrugged, “but, like I said, the Feds are in charge when it comes to bank fraud.

  “Meanwhile, I can do something about Abe Conjurski now that you and Bruce have ID’d his remains. Let’s go downstairs and look for the files from the year he disappeared. Twelve years ago? Let’s hope they aren’t in one of those boxes that Pecore had to take down to Madison.”

  CHAPTER 18

  On entering the basement storeroom with its narrow aisles of wooden shelving reaching up to the ceiling, Osborne and Lew each chose an aisle, scanning along the shelves for the cardboard file box that should hold case files for the year that Abe Conjurski had disappeared.

  “I wasn’t on the force then,” said Lew, “but I’m sure we’ll find at least a missing person report. Too bad these haven’t been scanned into the system, but maybe one of these days …” She walked slowly, checking the dates scribbled in black marker onto the fronts of the long boxes.

  “Hey, this might be it,” she said, pulling at one. “Doc, would you give me a hand please? This box must weigh over fifty pounds. Should be a list in the front that indicates all the cases stored inside.”

  “By date or alphabetical?”

  “Both, I believe. I haven’t had a reason to look in these since the city council decided to save money and space by having the department transfer inactive case files from the old metal file cabinets to these. I’ll tell you, Doc, all this does is remind me we need a new building, new computers, and more staff—but that’s not likely to happen.”

  Tugging together, they hoisted the long, heavy box from the shelf and were easing it onto the floor when Lew’s cell phone rang.

  “Yes, Marlene, what is it?” she said on seeing that the call was from the switchboard upstairs. “Right. Where? Let the EMTs know I’m on my way.” She clipped the phone back on her belt and turned to Osborne. “911 dispatcher just called. We’ve got a rollover north of town. Victim called from the vehicle. Dispatcher thinks someone may be pinned inside.

  “With Todd off today and Roger working a break-in at the Dog House Tavern—afraid it’s up to me, Doc. We’ll have to do this later.” She was out the door and running up the stairs as she spoke.

  “Need help?” Osborne asked, hurrying behind her.

  “Wouldn’t hurt, especially if we beat the EMTs to the site.”

  As the cruiser sped in the direction given by the 911 dispatcher, Osborne spotted familiar road signs: they were headed towards Big Moccasin Lake. Sure enough, they turned off the county highway onto a gravel road and, two fire numbers later, started down the long driveway that led to a house he had visited less than twenty-four hours earlier.

  “Y’know,” he said, “I’m pretty sure we’re on our way to the Calverson’s.” No sooner had he spoken than they rounded a sharp curve and Osborne shouted, “Watch out!”

  Lew hit the brakes and yanked the steering wheel hard to the right to avoid rear-ending a Toyota Land Cruiser parked upside down at an angle across the narrow, heavily wooded lane. The way the car had flipped but missed the wall of Norway pines lining the drive was amazing to Osborne. “Wow, are they lucky,” he said.

  “You mean—are we lucky,” muttered Lew.

  The front door on the passenger side hung wide open but all they could see was the backside of a woman on her knees, her torso deep inside the car. “She could be pinned,” said Lew. “Let’s hope she’s not hurt bad.”

  “That has to be CJ. in the car. I see Curt Calverson over there,” said Osborne, pointing to a man on the far side of the overturned vehicle who was marching back and forth, his eyes on them as he waved one arm while shouting into his cell phone.

  “Your wife—is she hurt?” cried Lew, leaping from the police cruiser.

  “My goddamn car is totaled,” said Curt, slamming his phone shut and spitting out the words. Osborne couldn’t tell if the man’s face was red with anger or if he had survived a face plant on the windshield.

  “That’s not what I asked,” said Lew. “Is your wife—”

  “I’m shook up, but nothing serious,” said the woman from inside the car as she backed her way out and got to her feet. It was C.J. “I was just looking for my purse. I know I’m okay and Curt seems … well, upset but—”

  “Okay, hold on both of you,” said Lew. “The EMTs are on their way. They’ll make sure you don’t need medical assistance. She reached for her cell phone to place a quick call to Marlene to request a tow truck. She looked over at the Calversons, who were still standing on opposite sides of their overturned car. “Who was driving?”

  “Me, but that’s not the point here,” said Curt. “Someone tried to kill me. This was attempted murder, and I sure as hell expect you people to get off your butts and do something—”

  “Whoa, bud, calm down,” said Lew. “Looks to me like you rolled your car taking that curve too fast. Your wheels hit gravel and …”

  As Lew spoke, C.J. raised both arms, waving her hands to beckon them towards the front of the large SUV. “Chief Ferris,” said Osborne, pointing at C.J. as he jogged around the front of the vehicle, “this is Mrs. Calverson—C.J. She’s the woman who helped Mason yesterday.”

  He rounded the front of the vehicle only to stop so fast that he and Lew nearly collided. They stared down in stunned silence. A deer, a large dead deer—a buck with its antlers covered in velvet—lay on the road in front of the SUV. The rear flanks of the dead animal were pinned under the vehicle and not visible. “Whoa, that’s one heck of a road kill,” said Osborne.

  “I hit the brakes hard as I could but my front bumper caught it—that’s when we flipped,” said Curt. “That damn thing was right smack in the middle of the road as we came around the curve. I’m damn lucky to be alive. If we hadn’t rolled, we’d have hit those trees at forty miles an hour!”

  “You are very lucky, indeed,” said Lew, her voice quiet and eyes thoughtful as she too
k in the car, the distance it had rolled and the position of the dead deer.

  “Tell me something, Curt,” said Osborne, his own close calls in mind, “was the deer traveling as you came around the curve? Do you recall if you hit the deer—or did the deer hit you?”

  “Didn’t you hear what I said? The goddamn deer wasn’t moving,” said Curt, arms up and hands flailing as he stomped back and forth along one side of the SUV.

  Hmm, thought Osborne. He caught Lew’s eye and knew they were both thinking the same thing: if this imitation of Rumpelstiltskin continued much longer, the EMTs might have their hands full after all.

  “What I am trying to tell you is that dead deer was already there—lying right in the middle of the goddamn road when we came around the bend. Some asshole put it there.”

  “Mr. Calverson. Please stop your shouting,” said Lew, her tone gracious. “I am standing right here and I can hear you just fine.”

  “Listen,” Curt choked twice before he could speak, “my wife and I drove out of here less than two hours ago and there was no dead animal in the road at that time. You think I’m making this up? Where is the State Patrol? I want a serious investigation—not some local yahoos.”

  “Thank you,” said Lew, continuing to keep her voice remarkably even—at least in Osborne’s opinion. By now he would’ve punched the guy. And if the idiot kept it up that might still be an option.

  “Mr. Calverson, let’s start over and try to remain calm. I may be a ‘local yahoo’ but it so happens I am also the Chief of the Loon Lake Police Department. Lewellyn Ferris is my name, and this accident is under my jurisdiction. For the record, I make the decision to call in the county sheriff if needed—not the State Patrol. Dr. Osborne here is one of my deputies—”

  “I’ve met Osborne,” said Curt with a grunt. “So what the hell are you going to do? How the hell do I get my car out of here and what are you going to do about … about … that!” He whirled around to jab an angry finger towards the animal carcass.

  “Curt, honey, please settle down or you’ll have another heart attack,” said C.J.

  Her husband wheeled on her: “How many times do I have to tell you to shut your fucking mouth!”

  “Mr. Calverson,” said Lew, stepping towards him, “I want you in the patrol car. Now.” She pointed at the car. “Leave the doors open so you get plenty of air and I suggest you sit quietly and take few deep breaths. Your wife can join you if she wishes. Meanwhile, Dr. Osborne and I will take a good look at the damage here and then I’ll need to ask you some questions for the report.”

  “What do you mean a report? No one is hurt. I don’t need a report—my insurance will cover this.”

  “Any time there is over a thousand dollars worth of damage to a vehicle, I have to file a report. Now, to answer your questions—a tow truck is on its way and I will arrange for someone to remove the carcass.”

  C.J. stepped forward from where she had been standing near the front of the car. “Curt …” her voice trembled, “would it help if I called our insurance company while you talk to Chief Ferris?”

  “Oh, for Chrissake,” said Curt, waving his hands in defeat. He marched over to the police cruiser, slid into the back seat, laid his head back and closed his eyes. C.J. found a stump in the shade behind the cruiser and sat down. Elbows on her knees, she buried her face in her hands. Osborne thought he saw her shoulders shaking.

  Lew waited until both were settled before motioning for Osborne to follow as she knelt down beside the deer. They didn’t have to get very close to see Curt was right about one thing: the animal had been dead long enough that maggots were feasting. Lew got to her feet and took a slow stroll along the road, studying the patterns in the gravel.

  “Look here, Doc,” she said, her eyes focused on a patch of gravel and weeds, “you can see where that deer was dragged in from behind those pines. Any chance you know where Ray is this morning? I’d sure like to see if he can help us out—follow those tracks on back into the woods. I’d like to know how that animal got here.”

  “I’ll try his cell, if he’s not out of range, he’ll answer.”

  “Yo, Doc? What’s up?” asked a happy baritone within seconds. Osborne handed his phone to Lew.

  “Ray, I need your services ASAP,” she said. “Where are you right now?”

  “Oh, just standin’ in my kitchen fryin’ up a batch of fresh-caught bluegills for my buddy, Nick, here. Got enough for four—you and the old man want to join us?”

  “Thanks but no thanks,” said Lew. She spoke fast, describing the scene and what was needed. “Since we had that rain last night, I think there’s a decent chance of finding some sign of how and when this animal was dumped here. Pay you for your time, of course.”

  “You said the magic words,” said Ray, “Mind if I make it an ed … u … cational op-p-p … or … tunity for my friend here? Nick invited me to pre-fish Big Moccasin with him and his buddies later this afternoon so we were heading that way anyhoo. Do you mind if I bring him along?”

  “Not if you’ll eat fast and meet us here,” said Lew. “Shouldn’t take me more than fifteen minutes to get what I need from the Calversons for the police report. Doc and I will stay until you arrive. I don’t want the tow truck moving anything before you get here.”

  Lew snapped the phone shut, saying, “That was easy. Ray should be on his way in a few minutes.” Then she headed over to the police cruiser to speak to the Calversons while Osborne decided to take one more look at the upside down Land Cruiser.

  He ruminated as he studied the car: Interesting that Ray would drop whatever he was doing to get here so soon. The only time he could get the guy to move fast was when he had a fish on the line. Could it be the presence of the lovely C.J.? Might be a good idea to mention that to Lew … just in case it could complicate matters, which it shouldn’t. But then Ray is Ray.

  Osborne knelt to examine the deer again. No marks on the carcass that he could see. It didn’t appear the animal had been hit by another vehicle, which was curious since hunting season was months away. Just as he was pondering the size of the animal and if it had taken more than one person to drag the carcass, C J. walked up. “Doc,” she said, keeping her voice very low, “does Erin handle divorce cases?”

  “Not that I know of,” said Osborne, looking up in surprise. Seeing the expression in C.J.’s eyes, he quickly added, “But if she doesn’t, I’m sure she’ll know someone who does.”

  “He just … he treats me with such contempt,” said C.J., pressing her fingers against her eyes as if to hold back tears. “I never expected it to be this way.”

  Osborne got to his feet. He glanced over the young woman’s head to be sure her husband was still talking with Lew. He still was—sitting sideways with his back to them. Osborne reached an arm across C.J.’s shoulders to give her a quick hug. In her jeans and t-shirt, blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, she reminded him of a younger Erin: poor kid, if only he could wipe away those tears and make everything okay.

  CHAPTER 19

  Osborne didn’t recognize the yellow Honda Civic pulling in behind the tow truck until Ray and Nick got out. “Good, you’re just in time,” said Lew. She was standing near the carcass that was still wedged under the car. “Ray, would you please take a look at this dead animal before the car is lifted?”

  “Okedoke,” said Ray, motioning to Nick to wait by the Honda. He walked over to join Lew in front of the overturned SUV. Feet apart, hands thrust into the pockets of his khaki shorts, he studied the dead animal, then turned to walk the same path Lew had walked half an hour earlier.

  “Oh, yeah,” said Ray, pointing, “look at that. Sure enough, that animal was dragged along here.” He knelt to touch the ground. “Tell you right now I’ll have no problem finding good tracks in this dirt. Plenty moist still. Okay, Chief,” he said, getting to his feet, “I’ve seen enough. You can let Tony go ahead and move the car.”

  Lew signaled the tow truck driver and the Land Cruiser made its way up a
nd over and onto the bed of the tow truck. Curt, watching from the sidelines, grimaced at the sight of the damage to the roof. C.J. stood in silence, her arms crossed as she watched not the car, but Ray.

  “Hey, now, check that out,” said Ray, looking down at the lower half of the animals body, which was now fully exposed. “On the right flank—see what I see?” Osborne and Lew leaned forward together. A small entry wound, a gunshot, was clearly visible. “Is that what you expected?”

  Tm not surprised,” said Osborne.

  “Me neither. Ray, you know the drill,” said Lew, “see if you can track back along the path that animal was dragged. Someone must have thought they were being funny. Likely some teenagers who need to learn just how dangerous a stunt like this can be. Call me as soon as you’ve got something.” With a quick glance, she checked to make sure Curt was listening.

  “You got it, Chief. Doc, when I’m done here you want to join me and Nick for the pre-fish?” Ray checked his watch. “Launch from the public landing in an hour and a half?”

  “Will you guys be fishing by the island, like yesterday?” said C.J., chiming in. Osborne did a double take: this was a new C.J.—a lively young woman sounding brighter than she had all morning.

  “No,” said Ray. “I’ve advised Nick and the boys to pre-fish Susan’s Bay. That’s the big bay just past the island on the right. There’s a short ‘no-wake’ zone that takes you in there,” said Ray.

  “Oh sure, I know right where you mean. Good fishing there, huh?”

  Ray did not miss the eagerness in C.J.’s eyes and his voice was gentle when he said, “Just the boys today, C J. We’re only allowed five in the boat and we’ve got two of Nick’s team meeting us, too. Don’t you worry—Doc and I will get you and Mason out again real soon.”

  “C.J.!” Curt jabbed a finger in the direction of their house, which was just a quarter of a mile further down the road. They set off together—Curt striding fast, C.J. doing her best to keep up, shoulders slumped.